Paul’s Arrival in Jerusalem Acts 21:15-26

Introduction

Here we are picking up with Paul’s journey to Jerusalem.

No matter how many people tried to stop him, he knew that God was calling him to go to Jerusalem.

This morning we are going to see Pauls Humility on full display

Pauls Journey to Rome vs. 15-17

Paul and his companions take disciples as they pack their bags and head toward Jerusalem

This would have been about 65 miles from Caesarea to Jerusalem

They took Paul to a man by the name Mnason to stay with while he was there in Jerusalem

Not much is known about Mnason, but he was an old disciple and most commentators would agree that he was one of the first member of the church in Jerusalem that was added at the day of Pentecost.

Not very many homes in Jerusalem would be open to Paul, because of the Gentiles that accompanied him, but Mnason was willing to.

When Paul arrived in Jerusalem the brethren gladly recieved him

The church that Paul once persecuted, now gladly recieved him.

They were likely happy because of the money that was brought along with the report of what God had done among the Gentiles.

Despite much opposition from those discouraging him from going to Jerusalem because they knew the likely outcome of him going there was jail or worse, he arrived in Jerusalem to bring the offering raised for the church, and also a report of what God was doing among the gentiles in Asia and Macedonia.

Paul’s Report to the Church Vs. 18-19

After Paul had been in Jerusalem for a day and went to James and the elders there.

There had been a change in leadership at the church in Jerusalem, the church was led by the Apostles and now it was led by James the brother of Jesus and a team of elders.

Notice the wording in verse 19 as Paul begins to declare what was being done among the Gentiles.

He declared- declare means publish or proclaim

Particularly - distinctly, one by one

what things - the many doors that had been opened and the times the gospel was proclaimed

God had wrought - wrought means worked

among the gentiles - a people group that was looked down on by the Jews had recieved the Gospel and were miraculously saved

through his work - the three missionary Journeys he had been on

One amazing thing about the Apostle Paul is he could have easily made the things accomplished among the gentiles about him and his greatness but instead deflects the praise to the one who is worthy of the praise and that is Jesus Christ.

Acts 14:27 “27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

Acts 15:4 “4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.”

Acts 15:12 “12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.”

Paul saw himself only as an instrument that God had called to declare the Gospel to the Gentiles

Ephesians 3:8 “8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;”

1 Thessalonians 2:4 “4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”

In 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 he reminded the church at Corinth that God is the only one who gives the increase

1 Corinthians 3:5–7 “5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”

Later in the same letter he writes this

1 Corinthians 15:10 “10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

We must come to the point in our Christian life where we stop seeing everything that happens as “look what I did” and start seeing it as “look what God did”

In 2 Corinthians 10:17 he makes it clear to us whom we should boast in

2 Corinthians 10:17 “17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

When you tell others what is happening in your life or in your church is it what you have done or what the Lord has accomplished through you?

The Churches reaction vs. 20-22

There first reaction was to rejoice

We saw the same reaction when Peter reported on the salvation of Cornelius’ house in Acts 11:18.

We should rejoice when someone accepts Christ as well

In Luke 15 there are three references to the Angels rejoicing in heaven over one lost soul that comes to Christ

Notice the two “ands” in verse 20

The first “and” is great, we find them rejoicing over sinners coming to Christ, but the second “and” brings up their religious rules

The turned an amazing story of God’s amazing grace on Paul’s missionary journeys to criticism of Pauls neglect of their religious rules.

Thousands of Jews had come to Christ and there were some that were zealous of the law

The word zealous means “Warmly engaged or ardent in the pursuit of an object.”

The churches concern had nothing to do with salvation, but everything to do with what these zealous Jews had heard about Paul.

They heard that Paul had told them to to forsake Moses whom the law was given too.

Matthew 5:17 “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

Paul didn’t preach for them to forsake the law, but he did show them that they could never fulfill the law, but Jesus Christ fulfilled it for us on a cross where he was crucified for the sins of the world, after was buried and three days later he rose from the dead, thus fulfilling the law and the prophets.

They had also heard that Paul told the Jews they no longer need to be circumcised, but again that wasn’t true.

The fact is the Church at Jerusalem and Church at Antioch came together and made it clear that it was no longer necessary and it definitely didn’t keep you from getting saved.

The last thing they had heard is that Paul was not walking after the customs

As we have looked in the last couple chapters, Paul had a goal to make it back to Jerusalem before Pentecost.

James and the Elders tell Paul something must be done, because all of the zealous Jews would know that Paul was there

When Paul came to town, He couldn’t and wouldn’t stay hidden for long, so they had to come up with a plan.

The Churches plan vs. 23-26

They wanted Paul to prove to the zealous Jews that the things that were being said about him were not true.

There were 4 men who had taken the Nazarite Vow, and they asked Paul to purify himself along side these 4 men

Paul wouldn’t have gone through the whole Nazarite vow, but likely it was a seven day cleansing, because when Paul returned from the Gentile lands, making him ceremonially unclean.

HIs willingness to do this would show that he had no hatred towards Jewish customs and traditions.

He was also told to pay the charges for them

They had to pay for the haircutting ceremony and for the animals that would be sacrificed to finish the ceremony, so they told Paul he should pay their expenses proving the accusations against him to be false.

Paul payed the price, yet their feelings about him didn’t change.

When you live a life sold out to Christ there will always be naysayers and those trying to discourage you and distract you from what God has for you. We must keep our eyes on Him and keep sharing the Gospel until he calls us home!

Conclusion

Christian this morning who are we living for? Are we doing it for ourselves or for God’s glory?

Have you ever placed your faith in Jesus Christ? If not, come this morning and we can show you from God’s word how you can be saved!

Alter is open this morning