Suffer Well

Don’t go Paul!

Paul knew he had to go to Jerusalem and give the gift he had collected from all the Gentile churches and report all that God had done for the Gentiles. However, we see two distinct accounts of people pleading with him not to go to Jerusalem. The first is by the disciples at Tyre. Acts 21:4

Acts 21:4 NASB95

After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.

This is interesting because the Bible says they told Paul “through the spirit”. This would give an implication that Paul was not being obedient to the Holy Spirit. This is not probable. McArthur explains:

Acts: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Courage of Conviction Cannot Be Diverted

First, the phrase through the Spirit is inconclusive; it merely means that someone spoke as from a spiritual gift of prophecy. As Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 14:29, however, not every manifestation of the gift of prophecy is legitimate. Whether it was legitimate in this instance must be determined by other factors.

Second, Paul lived a life sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. When forbidden by the Spirit to preach in certain regions, Paul did not disobey (Acts 16:6–7). When led by the Spirit to minister in Macedonia, Paul immediately obeyed (Acts 16:9–10). That long-term pattern of obedience makes it unlikely that he was disobedient in this matter.

Third, the Holy Spirit had never before prohibited Paul from going to Jerusalem. According to Acts 20:22–23, He warned Paul repeatedly of what would happen to him when he got there but did not tell him not to go.

Fourth, Paul described his mission to Jerusalem as “the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:24). How could the Holy Spirit forbid Paul from doing what the Lord Jesus Christ had commanded him to? Further, Acts 19:21 records that “Paul purposed in the spirit to go to Jerusalem,” while in Acts 20:22 the apostle describes himself as “bound in spirit … on my way to Jerusalem.” He was compelled in his innermost being by the Holy Spirit to undertake this mission.

Finally, the Scriptures nowhere suggest that Paul sinned by going to Jerusalem. After he got there he declared, “I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day” (Acts 23:1; cf. 24:16). It is difficult to see how he could have said that if he had just flagrantly sinned against God.

Paul was convinced that he was to go to Jerusalem even though his disciples cautioned him not to go.

The second instance is through the prophet Agabus. Acts 21:10-12

Acts 21:10–12 NASB95

As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Agabus is the prophet that predicted the famine back in Acts 11:28

Acts 11:28 NASB95

One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.

Agabus warned Paul that he would be chained and delivered over to the Gentiles. This was disheartening to his friends and they pleaded for him not to go. They did not want him to suffer. However, Paul gave a remarkable answer.

Suffer Well

Acts 21:13–14 NASB95

Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

Paul was ready to suffer for Christ and even die for the cause of Christ. Paul considered it an honor to suffer for Christ.

Suffering can be the most valuable thing a person can do to demonstrate love and devotion as well as learn. There is nothing more telling of persons love then when they are willing to suffer for you. Jesus said in John 15:13

John 15:13 NASB95

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Paul recognized this and even stated in Phil. 1:20-22

Philippians 1:20–22 (NASB95)

according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.

Paul knew that he was going to suffer for the cause of Christ and was willing to do it because of his deep love for Christ.

We also know that 11 of the 12 disciples died a martyr’s death for Jesus. Deep rooted love for someone or cause will enable us to suffer well.

Why are we so adverse to suffering? The pain! No one likes to suffer because it is not pleasant. The pain that is required in suffering is sometimes perceived as too much. Lack of love and commitment! When we do not love deeply we will not suffer. Nor if we are not committed will we suffer.

I know of a few of my friends that are suffering today. It hurts my heart to see them suffer, while at the same time gives me great joy to see their willingness to do so for the cause of Christ! Suffer well!

Paul At Jerusalem

Paul arrives at Jerusalem and is welcomed by the leadership of the church in Jerusalem. When he gives the gift and shares what God has done among the Gentiles the people worship God. Acts 21:19-20

Acts 21:19–20 NASB95

After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law;

The people at Jerusalem rejoiced to hear what God had done by bringing salvation to the Gentiles. However there was a group that was stirring up trouble, because they were spreading lies about Paul trying to dissuade people away from the traditions of Judaism.

This was false because Paul continued to adhere to the law and did not teach people to abandon their tradition. He did teach that observing the law and tradition was not a means of salvation, but faith in Jesus Christ was the only way to be saved.

In an effort to bring unity the people urged Paul to go through a purification ritual to demonstrate his devotion to God. He was also given 4 sponsors who would oversee the ritual and Paul was to pay for their purification ritual as well. This was very expensive, but would demonstrate that he did not oppose people staying with their tradition.

This was not necessary for Paul to do. He was not obligated to do it. However, for the sake of unity, he was willing to compromise and stay true to his convictions.

Now the leaders at Jerusalem clarified that the Gentiles with Paul would not have to go through the purification ritual. Instead the people were reminded what they instructed about the Gentiles. Acts 21:25

Acts 21:25 NASB95

“But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.”

Paul Still Persecuted

The Jews from Asia that always cause trouble for him saw him at Jerusalem started another riot and caused Paul to be thrown out of the temple and beaten.

The riot was so bad that a Roman cohort had to intervene to protect the life of Paul. They were able to separate Paul from the mob and put him in the barracks. Paul then asked to speak to the people. He spoke to the commander in Greek. This dispelled that Paul was who they thought he was. They thought he was an Egyptian insurrectionist that had been causing trouble. When the commander realized that he was a Jew and wanted to address his people, he permitted him.

What Paul said was nothing short of amazing! Do you want to know what he said? You will have to come back next week to find out! Or you can just read Acts 22.