October 17
Bible Reading: Acts 21:16-26
Acts 21:23, “Do therefore what we tell you.”
The book of Acts is an historical narrative. It records for us the history of what happened in the expansion of the church. That does not mean that every decision that is made or everything that happened is as God would have it. Our account speaks of a major decision by the church leaders that did not lead to the desired results.
Soon after Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he met with James and the elders. They heard from Paul regarding the things that God had done among the Gentiles. Then they informed Paul of the problem the church was facing. The issue of the Gentile’s relationship to the law had been settled at the Jerusalem council (Acts 15). The council’s decision was to not bind the Gentiles to the law, but it did not say that it was wrong for the Jewish believers to go on observing it if they so wished. That difference remained, and would remain, as an ongoing problem in the church. Some Jewish believers, zealous for the law, falsely accused Paul of speaking against the law. James and the elders, to appease Paul’s opponents, came up with a plan. He was to take four men under a vow, follow the law’s requirements, and take them into the temple so that Paul might be seen as “keeping the Law” himself (Acts 21:24).
The plan did not work as the leaders had supposed. They sought to resove a conflict, but instead of mollifying Paul’s opponents, the Jews, upon seeing Paul in the temple, incited a riot! So great was the confusion that the Roman commander and his soldiers had to intervene.
It’s left to the reader to discern the rightness of the decision of James and the elders. As for Paul, J. Veron McGee, argued that Paul was merely hoping to see souls saved: “A Jew who comes to Jesus Christ does not stop being a Jew. So, they say to Paul, ‘Look, you are a Jew. That is your background. And you want to win the Jews for Christ.’ Paul says, ‘I sure do!’ So, they say, ‘Since you are a Jew, it wouldn’t hurt you to go with these four Jewish men who have made a vow. They have shaved their heads and are going into the temple. Would you go along with them?’ Paul says, ‘Sure.’ Paul didn’t take this vow because he was commanded to do. He took this vow because he wanted to win these people.”
In proclaiming the gospel of grace, Paul was always getting himself into trouble, but at the heart of that was his desire to see folks saved, no matter how much the effort cost him (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).
“I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.”—the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 9:22).
RESCUE THE PERISHING
Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.
Refrain:
Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful,
Jesus will save.
Though they are slighting Him,
Still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe. [Refrain]
Down in the human heart,
Crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more. [Refrain]
Rescue the perishing,
Duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wanderer a Savior has died. [Refrain]
Author: looking2jesus13
Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces.
Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries.
After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year.
Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley.
International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith.
Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully.
Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.
View all posts by looking2jesus13
LookingtoJesus 