Journey to Jerusalem

Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost, wanting originally to be there by Passover, so time was limited to get there. Here is what we have seen time wise so far.

From Philippi to Troas 5 days, stayed there 7 days =12 days (Act20:6)

From Troas to Miletus, 2 day journey =14 days (Act20:13-15)

And then we had the loving farewell with the Ephesian elders (Act20:17-38) This would be part of the 2 days in Miletus.

This is now where we are at starting tonight. Let me give a couple of verses and then start into our passage for tonight.

Acts 20:36–38 NASB95

36 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 37 And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, 38 grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.

So the end of the time of encouragement and challenge to the elders it was time to leave and they ended with heartfelt prayer and everything that happened impacted them as they bid Paul farewell, knowing they would not see his face again.

It had to be very heartfelt for Paul too, he loved the Ephesians, he had to tear himself away from them to get to Jerusalem before Pentecost. But he had limited time to get there (approximately 36 days).

So, here we have a the general points for tonight:

From Asia to Syria (Act21:1-6)

From Syria to Jerusalem (Act21:7-17)

Impact of Paul’s missionary trips

Conclusion

From Asia to Syria

The journey ending the 3rd missionary trip is a fast journey with lots of quick stops along the way.

Acts 21:1–2 NASB95

1 When we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; 2 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.

Acts 21:3–4 NASB95

3 When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.

Acts 21:5–6 NASB95

5 When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. 6 Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.

Gleaning from the scripture:

Question: Looking only at (v.1) where were the stops and how many days does it cover?

From Miletus to Cos, from Cos to Rhodes, from Rhodes to Patara

It took day in travel to Cos, left the next day for Rhodes and then to Patara so minimum of 2 days.

Question: From Patara where does the journey take them (vv.2-4) and how long were they there?

From Patara to Phoenicia, From Phoenicia to Syria landing in Tyre.

They stayed in Tyre for 7 days.

Counting the days 50 days to Pentecost, 14 days to Miletus, 9 days in our passage so it is 27 days now to Pentecost

Now a few things to pull out and state about this part of the journey thus far.

The travel from Cos and Rhodes would have been more than likely on a small vessel used for local travel.

At Patara they transfer to a larger vessel that was heading to Phoenicia

They bypassed Cypress and arrived in Syria at Tyre, the ship unloaded cargo, and while there Paul finds disciples (v.4) he spends a few days there with them and through the Spirit to the people Paul is given warnings (or a reminder) of what would happen in Jerusalem and warned him not to go.

If you remember one of the major reasons for the 3rd missionary trip was to carry the love gift from the Gentile churches to the Jerusalem church. There was a rift between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians and the Jews had chased Paul down from city to city. Paul I’m sure was hoping that the love gift would help settle the rift since Christ broke down the barrier and made the church one.

Ever had a kindred spirit for someone in a very short amount of time? Those disciples in Tyre did for Paul in just 7 days. Now it is time to set off again, after prayer of course.

From Syria to Jerusalem

So now we have 27 days until Pentecost and still a long ways to go, and some important things to see from our next section of scripture.

In our passage we will see journey and prophesy, we will also see determination. So lets look at the passage, the journey and the prophesy from the passage then will discuss it more.

Acts 21:7–8 NASB95

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. 8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him.

Acts 21:9–10 NASB95

9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. 10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.

Acts 21:11–12 NASB95

11 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.’ ” 12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:13–14 NASB95

13 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.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

Acts 21:15–16 NASB95

15 After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge.

Acts 21:17 NASB95

17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

Question: We have a couple more stops and another time line addition when we look at (vv.7-8), what are they?

From Tyre to Ptolemais; from Ptolemais to Caesarea to the home of Philip the evangelist.

We have a day in Ptolemais, and a day of travel so add 2 days to our timeline

Question: We have a previously seen prophet Agabus come and give a prophesy again to Paul and the mission team, what did he use in his illustration in (v.11)?

He used Paul’s belt to bind his own feet and hands.

Question: The result of the prophesy by the people is found in (v.12), what was it?

They begged him not to go to Jerusalem.

Question: Paul’s response to the prophesy and the people is found in (v.13) what is it?

I am ready to be bound and even die for the name of the Lord.

We can see in (v.14) that the people then understood that Paul would not be persuaded and they remarked “the will of the Lord be done.”

Question: Look at (v.15) how many days are mentioned?

It says “these days” so we do not know for sure how many days from when they arrived in Caesarea and they leave to Jerusalem.

So they get to Jerusalem to the home of Mnason of Cyrus in whom they were going to stay and the brethren in Jerusalem received them gladly. So there is much more we can learn.

back in (v.10) some versions say many days when Agabus come down, so again we do not know the time frame, but when we look at the passage we can see the determination of Paul.

Some people to take note of from our passage:

We see Philip the evangelist (Act21:8) previously seen (Act8:34-40; Act6:5)

Philip was the one who brought the message to the Ethiopian Eunuch; Philip was also one of the original seven what would be called deacons

We see Agabus (Act21:10) previously seen (Act11:27-28)

Agabus was God’s prophet that brought the news of the famine that would come. This prophesy we see today is about 15 years after the prophesy given before.

The illustration that Agabus in like manner as those used by other prophets before (Isa20:2-4; Eze4:1-3)

Let me give you one of them you can look up the other on your own.

Isaiah 20:2–3 NASB95

2 at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips and take your shoes off your feet.” And he did so, going naked and barefoot. 3 And the Lord said, “Even as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot three years as a sign and token against Egypt and Cush,

Isaiah 20:4 NASB95

4 so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old, naked and barefoot with buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

come on who does not like a good visual illustration (insert story of tongue in ice chest here)

Just one more, Philip’s daughters, 4 of them were prophetesses (Act21:9) and that, women prophetesses has been seen before too (Act2:17; 1Cor11:5)

In act2 we see son’s and daughters would prophesy.

In 1Cor11:5 that no woman to pray or prophesy without head covered. So there were women prophetesses

Now something to consider, the prophet came and gave the warning but did he forbid Paul from going to Jerusalem?

Acts 21:11 The Message

11 He went right up to Paul, took Paul’s belt, and, in a dramatic gesture, tied himself up, hands and feet. He said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: The Jews in Jerusalem are going to tie up the man who owns this belt just like this and hand him over to godless unbelievers.”

Now, think about this, did Paul do God’s will in leaving Caesarea and going to Jerusalem?

Surely the emissaries from the other churches could have carried the gift to Jerusalem and Paul avoided what Agabus said would happen. Paul had been warned some 20 years before by the Lord to get out of Jerusalem for the Jews would not receive his message (check out Act22:18)

Maybe the words from Agabus is hey it is about to happen to you now, so get ready, vs. you must not go there.

Paul had travelled into Jerusalem after the warning from Jesus several other times..

With the famine relief (Act11:27-30)

Paul is carrying the gift to help the impoverished church, this is different from the famine visit.

For the Jerusalem counsel (Act15:1ff)

Jews, Gentiles, circumcision or non-circumcision we are all saved the same way, and by the way, take care of the widows and the poor.

A stop after the 2nd missionary trip (Act18:22)

We know practically nothing on this stop, it was a pass through visit so it seems.

It is doubtful that Paul would have stepped outside of God’s will, He had a clear conscience (Act23:1) and the assuring words of Jesus Himself (Act23:11) that Paul would have gone there regardless of the warnings given.

So no I do not think Paul compromised, but Paul displayed courage. Paul was going to try to help bring calm to the division between the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians. He felt he needed to do this in person not by Zoom or any other way.

The journey to Jerusalem added a minimum of 3 days to the timeline if they travelled by foot. It was a 65 mi journey.

Interesting that here Paul and the church emissaries are bringing a gift, Paul is received gladly but what about the gift, did they get it, did they say thank you, what? Maybe Luke does not say anything for the gift could be used as a divisive thing even. Anyway about it. This now sets Paul up for the meeting with James and all the elders.

(Transition) We have gotten to the end of the 3rd missionary trip. There is so much we could reflect on, on the impact of the 3rd missionary trip and that is what I want to take just a few minutes on tonight now.

Impact!

Impact, have you had people in your lives that have impacted you? Paul’s third missionary trip could have been called “impact tour” for it impacted people and issues. We too can impact people and issues today.

Impact on People:

Strengthening the churches

Galatia and Phrygia (Act18:23)

Ephesus (Act19:1-40; 20:17-38)

Don’t forget Macedonia, Achaia, Troas, and Caesarea (Act2:1-12, 21:1-17)

Spreading the Gospel

From Ephesus and all Asia heard the word (Act19:10)

Gospel spread to Colosse, Hieropolis, Laodicea (Col4:12-15)

And then there was Illyricum (Rom15:19)

Then there is Paul the writer

Wrote 1st and 2nd Corinthians as well as Romans on this journey

In Epistles he deals with Current problems and daily living

Through motivating words to the churches to help the needy in Jerusalem.

Impact on issues:

Baptism (Act19:1-5)

There might be need for re-baptism

Assembly Worship (Act20:7)

When and why we assemble

Church organization (Act20:28)

Duties and limitations of elders

Apostasy (Act10:29-32)

It’s origin, prevention and cure

Mixed emotions by the people and by Paul upon arrival in Jerusalem

He was received gladly (Act21:17)

He was accompanying the gift for the saints there (Rom15:25-27)

He had intentions to go onto Rome, then Spain (Rom15:28, Act19:21)

He had been warned about what would happen if went to Jerusalem, yet he went (Act20:22-23, 21:11-14)

It was only a few days (12 to be exact) that the prophesy started to be fulfilled.

Acts 24:11 NASB95

11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

aht he was dragged out of the temple, beaten by a mob, about to be scourged by Roman soldiers, assassination plot put in place that he barely escaped from and imprisoned in Caesarea. But God, the Lord had a message for him to be of good cheer

Acts 23:11 NASB95

11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

We too can impact people today

Strengthen the church

Spread the gospel

Be ready to make a defense on critical issues

Be ready to suffer for the cause (1Pt4:13; Rom8:17; Php3:10)

So be encouraged, Paul faced many a trials on the road, and we too may face some too, but we know how it ends the revealed victory in Christ Jesus!