Acts 21:1-14 Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem
“Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.”
Paul is absolutely determined to make it to Jerusalem for the Day of Pentecost. Paul and his companions have landed at Tyre and are slowly making their way to Jerusalem. But disciples in Tyre warn Paul through the Holy Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. Previously, Paul has already been warned by believers in Greece, Asia, and Macedonia. When Paul refuses to heed these warnings, all the disciples can do is to accompany Paul and his friends to the edge of the city, where they all kneel and pray. Paul and his friends board another ship headed for Ptolemais.
“And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, (the seven men earlier chosen to handle distribution of supplies to Greek widows and later led the Ethiopian eunuch to Jesus) and stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
From Ptolemais, Paul and his friends travel by land to Caesarea, where they stay with Philip the evangelist. While Paul is there, a prophet named Agabus strongly warns him, taking Paul’s belt and using it to bind his own hands and feet. Agabus prophesies that the Jews at Jerusalem will bind Paul and hand him over to the Gentiles. Paul’s friends are severely troubled, for Paul refuses to stay in a safe place, demanding to continue to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:15-25 Paul Urged to Make Peace
“And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. Also, some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. Therefore, do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
At this point, the early church is in a theological crisis. There are traditional Jews, who want EVERYBODY to follow ALL the traditional Jewish practices. Then there are people like Peter, who have received correction from the Holy Spirit and who realize these practices are not necessary but who follow them personally. Then there are Gentile Christians who have no experience of traditional Jewish practices. In an unfortunate attempt to placate the ultra-conservative Jewish Christians, church leaders beg Paul to take four men who have completed a vow, be purified with them, and pay their expenses at the temple to demonstrate that he is still a faithful practicing Jew. As we will soon learn this attempt at peace-keeping will prove disastrous.
Why does Paul insist on going on to Jerusalem, despite all these warnings? Paul is obeying the Holy Spirit. God is using Paul to warn other believers that obedience can be costly, and that they too may have to suffer for their faith. What if Paul were to remain in Asia, or Macedonia, or even Caesarea? Those places are lovely and full of people who would be thrilled to help Paul in his ministry. But God has a special assignment for Paul, one that demands his being arrested, imprisoned, and eventually carried to Rome. Only when Paul is in prison will he have time and leisure to write his epistles. No, if Paul is to remain faithful to God, he must go on to Jerusalem.
What about us? If we were to face the same challenges Paul did, would we willingly walk into a dangerous situation, knowing we might die? In 1958 David Wilkerson was pastoring a small church in rural Pennsylvania when he felt God calling him to minister to gang members in the worst part of New York City. Despite multiple death threats and frightening conditions, Wilkerson persisted, founding Teen Challenge and several other ministries that continue to this day. One of the gang leaders, Nicky Cruz, became a famous evangelist himself. Only in heaven will we know the total effect of Wilkerson’s willingness to obey the Holy Spirit.
May God help us, so that we will obey the Holy Spirit, no matter happens.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be obedient, no matter what the cost. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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