Acts 21:1-25
Notes
Transcript
Read Acts 21:1-14
1 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.
2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
3 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.
4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
5 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.
6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
7 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day.
8 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, and stayed with him.
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 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.’ ”
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 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.”
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
Paul is consistently warned by those around him of what was going to happen to him if he continued into Jerusalem:
His brothers and sisters in Ephesus knew it (Acts 20)
The disciples in Tyre knew it (Acts 21:3-4)
Philip’s daughters knew it (Acts 21:9)
Agabus knew it (Acts 21:11)
Some might say that this was a warning unto Paul, but Paul was being led of the Spirit into Jerusalem, and we know from the text that God blessed Paul tremendously while he was there. I personally think that this was God’s way to warn everyone else that Paul would soon depart from them. This was a wake-up call to the church that they needed to step up, because one of the greatest of their leaders was about to be with them no more.
Regardless of who was being warned, this is a testament to how much all of these people were in tune with God. Wherever Paul went, they all felt the same thing from God. They were unified in the Spirit and knew what was going to happen. We as a church today, should also be in the same Spirit as they were. If so, so much more could be accomplished and so much less division would be amongst us.
Paul knew what God wanted him to do (Acts 21:13-14):
Paul was not afraid of death. Rather, he welcomed it. He knew death was imminent, but he also believed in the Gospel which he preached. If he were to die, then he would be going home to God. If he lived, He would live for God. Either way, he would be in the presence of God, so Paul did not fear the inevitable.
Read Acts 21:15-25
15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem.
16 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.
17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 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;
21 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.
22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow.
24 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.
25 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.”
All of the believers at Jerusalem received Paul gladly:
All of the elders came to see him (vs. 18)
He shared with them what all God had been doing through his ministry (vs. 19)
They glorified God because Paul’s testimony (vs. 20a)
They tell Paul that many Jews had come to faith in Christ (vs. 20b)
The Jewish believers struggle with Paul’s theology:
These Jewish believers are Christians, but they still regard the ceremonial portions of the Law. Though they did not view these things as essential to salvation, they still observed the feasts, Sabbath regulations, ritual vows, and dietary restrictions.
It is obvious that some believed this to be more of a requirement than others. Also, when witnessing to Jews, a complete abrogation of the law was much less likely to be received. If they were able to continue in the ceremonial portions of the Law while trusting in Christ for the fulfillment of the judicial portions of the Law, this would not completely tear them from the culture they were so accustomed to.
These ceremonial laws were considered by Paul to be an issue of Christian liberty. They profited those who adhered to them none whatsoever in a spiritual sense, but it also did not hurt them spiritually. For this reason, Paul commands the church in Romans 14-15, not to judge others because of these things. Those who practice such things are considered to be the weaker brother, but a brother nonetheless.
James was fearful that if Paul did not do something to show his support for these ceremonial rituals, that the leaders of the Jewish church would struggle greatly with his presence. Therefore Paul agrees to participate in the Nazarite ritual of these four young men. He pays for their expenses during this ritual, which was quite pricey mind you, to show his participation.
By doing so, this proved (at least in their eyes) that he walked orderly and kept the law.
