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Acts 21:29-31 – Hair Replacement for Dogs Only
Boca Raton, Florida has a reputation for being somewhat hoity-toity. Due to this reputation a sign I saw did not shock me – “Hair Replacement For Dogs Only.” Yep, this is Boca! Upon closer examination, I learned I had misjudged Boca – at least this time. Instead of “Hair Replacement For Dogs Only” being one sign for one store, it was actually two signs for two stores side by side. One store advertised what they do: Hair Replacement. Right next door and hence right next to that sign, the other store advertised its name – For Dogs Only. An honest mistake, don’t you think – especially considering where I lived? I doubt I would have made the same mistake in Caneyville, Kentucky!
Admittedly, I was wrong, but to tell you the truth, I wouldn’t be surprised to one day discover a business that does hair replacement for dogs! I’ve seen dogs that needed it! Hmmm, maybe I have discovered a way to make millions… Naaaah!
What’s the point of this article? Often we connect together what does not belong. Real Estate’s three rules are: location, location, location. In interpreting one another (i.e., relationships) and interpreting the Bible, there are also three rules: context, context, context. Isn’t context nothing more than location?
Have you ever seen someone do something – or not do something – and interpreted it, as they never intended? One preacher carried a grudge against me for six months. I doubt he would preach what he was practicing (Matthew 23:3)! Eventually he approached to talk, saying he knew why I was mad at him. But I wasn’t mad at him. He became shocked upon discovering his error. He had taken something innocent out of context and given it an entirely unfounded and hurtful meaning. In fact, what I had done was for his benefit! How ironic is that?!
I am sure we have all made the same mistake. Some Jewish leaders committed this same sin and it almost killed Paul!
Acts 21:29-31 – For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. [30] Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. [31] While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
While not guilty of attempted murder, have we ever needlessly hurt someone else or been personally and needlessly hurt? Have we ever assumed wrong, gossiped, thought badly of others, or similar sins because we took something out of context?
If we are honest with ourselves we should be shocked at how easily we think badly of others.
Just as we misinterpret people, likewise, we can commit the same error interpreting the Bible – by misinterpreting the Bible we misunderstand God. Lest we hastily cast dispersion on others for their wrong interpretations, let us all remember two things:
1) We have made the same mistake in taking scripture out of context.
2) We have made the same mistake in taking people’s behavior out of context.
I say this, not to minimize incorrect interpretation of the Bible, but rather to instill in us patience with others – and a desire to do better ourselves. Assuming wrongly about someone, misinterpreting (misunderstanding) what he or she said or did – or didn’t say or do – is exactly the same mistake people make when wrongly interpreting the Bible. And all of us have committed both sins.
What’s the point again of this article! We all need to be more careful when interpreting the Bible, and when interpreting each other. We all need to be more introspective and humble. Misinterpretation on both accounts is the source of many church fights.
Oh, I could excuse myself about that Boca sign. I could assuage my intellect or conscience by saying it was an honest mistake. After all, I know what the reputation of Boca Raton is? Yep, I could do all those things, and after all the excusing, and justifying, one fact remains unchanged – I was wrong!
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