The Final Act

Introduction

We’ve had quite a run of either not meeting or having one special occasion or another interrupt our study in Acts, and while we were mostly through the entire book, we did leave off in a very awkward place, we are about to get into the final act. Much like when a beloved television series leaves of with a clif hanger, we left the Apostle Paul hanging. Previously we talked about the incredible hardship of Paul, and how he had to endure them for the sake of the name of Christ. We know that this is what Jesus told Ananias and that no matter how faithful Paul was, he was destined to suffer. God gave Him two tremendous gifts to endure. The first was grace, and the second joy.

We have seen the church moving mightily and spreading like wildfire throughout the Middle East, but in order to become truly effective, it has to ignite the very seat of Roman power because, you see, for all intents and purposes Rome was the capitol of the world.

Now we pick up the travels of Paul starting in chapter 21. I encourage you to read the whole thing, but for the sake of time, we will just read bits and pieces and try to get through a lot of material in the shortest amount of time possible.

Here we find Paul setting sail to Jerusalem. He and his companions are fortunate to find a cargo ship that is leaving Ephesus and heading back to the Phoenician harbor city of Tyre in what is today known as Lebanon.

While in Tyre, we see something happening there.

Acts 21:3–5 NKJV

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.

It seems from reading this, and I’ve heard it argued that Paul disobeyed the Holy Spirit. What do you think?

Is there perhaps the possibility that the disciples heard wrong?

Is there some other explanation?

Let’s skip down to verse 8 where they make another stop. This time in Caesarea to visit Philip the evangelist- remember him? He was the ex-waiter turned miracle moving traveler that literally popped in on the Ethiopian eunuch.

Acts 21:8–13 NKJV

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. 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.”

Did Paul Disobey?

Okay, let’s look at some important phrasing in these two passages. First of all, back in Tyre, who told Paul not to go to Jerusalem? Did he receive a prophetic word? If it wasn’t a prophetic word what was it? By whom was it delivered? Now look at verse 8, Paul was in a house with ladies of whom it was said “they prophesied”. Does that make them prophets; if not, why? If so, then why is there a difference in how Agabus is introduced? What does it say about him?

The virgins who prophesied, did they say anything to him? Why not? They prophesied! Could it be because God had a real prophet in their midst and after the botched delivery of His word in Tyre, He wanted to make sure it was delivered accurately?

What did Agabus say? Did he make any judgment as to what the prophetic word meant? Did he specifically tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem?

What is clear to me is that back in Tyre, God told the church what was going to happen to Paul, upon hearing this, they interpreted the meaning of it. Rather than simply tell what they heard, they put their own emotion to it and came to an errant conclusion. Then in Caesarea, the same thing almost happens. The prophet comes, and because of his maturity, merely gives the word that God instructed him to give without embellishment. It was the others who freaked out on Paul and begged him not to leave. But Paul had an answer for them. He told them that they were breaking his heart because he was ready to be bound up for Jesus. See, Paul had also been hearing from God, and he had a plan to get the gospel preached throughout the world. Saints, this is one of the main differences between someone who prophesies and a seasoned prophet. Just because somebody hears from God doesn’t mean they know how to deliver what they’ve heard. They may have enough of a relationship with God to hear the Holy Spirit speak, but they may lack the wisdom to understand what they hear. When I’ve been responsible for screening prophetic words in the past, I’ve had many a believer who have heard from God, come up and share what they’ve heard, but when they get the microphone, they go way over and above what they just shared for me a minute or two earlier. It seems as though they lack the wisdom or faith, that God knew exactly what He was saying, and their job was just say what they heard and stop.

Paul Has A Plan

Paul knew that in order to accomplish what he had heard God ask of him – the plan to preach the Gospel throughout the world, the church was going to have to become much more aggressive in their approach, and so he was prepared to go wherever God sent him and endure whatever pain and persecution he would have to endure because he understood the divine call of God on not only his life, but on the life of the infant church. Paul had an ace up his sleeve- He was a Roman citizen. Let’s read about how this plays out.

Just as prophesied, Paul goes to Jerusalem, and the Jews try to kill him there. The Roman centurion hears about it and goes to rescue him from the mob. Paul is given an opportunity to preach the Gospel, and the crowd reacts. Let’s pick it up there:

Acts 22:22–29 NKJV

And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?” When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.” Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

In many ways, the church in Jerusalem did not have a vision for this “big picture” nor were they really equipped to take it in. Roman citizens had special privileges and would be treated differently wherever they went. The Bible doesn’t really speak of the citizenship of any of the other apostles - just Paul, so then we can deduce that they did not have the privilege that came with citizenship.

Paul was unafraid to exercise his rights as a citizen, because he had a plan from God. No matter what circumstances look like for you, there is a plan from God for what you are enduring. Do you have promises from God that He will grant you prosperity and health and all these other wonderful things? Absolutely! Paul could have chosen the easy way out by staying away from Jerusalem. He had certainly been warned about what was coming. But he made a choice that he was going to do what God called him to do, no matter the consequences. There comes a time in our life when we must be willing to make that same choice.

Paul’s goal is to preach the Gospel to the highest levels of government, and that is God’s plan as well. How do we know this? Well let’s take a look:

Executing the Plan

Acts 23:11 NKJV

But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”

Sometimes we can stand in the midst of the trial and wonder, God why are you letting all this happen to me? Rest assured that if you are obedient to the call of God on your life, during those times, He will speak to your heart “be of good cheer…”

So let’s continue, Paul escapes an assassination attempt and stands before the governor named Felix. Look at the letter the centurion sends Felix:

Acts 23:27 NKJV

This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

Funny how politicians have always played “loosey goosey” with the facts isn’t it? Anyhow, we go on. The Jews are summoned to present their case against Paul and then Paul gives his defense- how else? He preaches the Gospel! Now we start to see the plan of God start to unfold.

Acts 24:22–27 NKJV

But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him. And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

So for two years, Paul preaches to Felix and all who were with him, including his wife Drusilla. Does he have ulterior motives? Of course he does, but the Gospel is being preached nonetheless!

Again, the Jews are called to present their case against Paul, and again they fail to prove anything. Then Festus tries to make a deal.

Acts 25:9–12 NKJV

But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?” So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Church, let’s look at this. When you are right, and the law is on your side. Press your case as far as you can! You must secure the blessings of God for you and for the sake of those around you! God will go before you and allow you to make your case. Your persecutors will always want to make a deal with you to try to mitigate the humiliation they are suffering. They will try to strike a deal with you and offer to “agree to disagree”. Don’t go for the deal! Stand for what is true and what is right. Ephesians 6 does not tell us to sit and parlay with the enemy. Paul tells us to stand!

Ephesians 6:14–20 NKJV

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Where was Paul when he wrote that? That’s right- in chains in a Roman prison. Do you understand saints? It is imperative that the Gospel be the most important thing in our lives. It must be the air we breathe because there is a sick and dying world out there that needs to hear about the love of God! There is a lost generation that needs to be found. Paul understood this and was willing to be inconvenienced for the gospel’s sake, but many of us don’t really care for inconveniences. Getting to church on Sunday is too much of a bother, and trying to make time to do outreaches is really too bothersome as well.

The story doesn’t end there. Paul has more people to speak to first. King Agrippa comes to town to visit with the Governor and when told of Paul’s case, he decides he wants to hear it as well.

Here is what happens next:

Acts 26:24–32 NKJV

Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Do you think Paul didn’t know that he could get off Scott free by agreeing to be heard back in Jerusalem? What good would that do? Would he have had the opportunity to preach the Gospel to king Agrippa if he had taken the easy way out?

Still one more stop along the way to Rome- the island of Malta- signs and wonders, more preaching of the Gospel and more converts, and finally Paul’s arrival in Rome!

So how does our series end?

Acts 28:30–31 NKJV

Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

What did that get him finally? Well, can anyone tell me where the Vatican is? It took 300 years, but finally an Emperor by the name of Flavius Constantine became the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity, and the world was changed because one man was willing to answer the call of God on his life and refused to allow the discomfort associated with it stop him. To what extent was that discomfort? Well Christian tradition tells us that Paul the apostle was beheaded by Nero around AD 64. There is no proof of this, but one thing we do know is that he spent the rest of his days bound up in chains just as Agabus had prophesied.

Putting it All Together

The American church has long been one of the most effective missionary bodies in history because of the unique opportunities that being a citizen of this great nation affords. Sadly, too many American Christians don’t understand their basic rights, let alone what those rights mean to us as believers, and how we can exercise them to advance the kingdom. We lay down and don’t fight for them, thinking that a Christian should not be political. Sadly, we lose the opportunity to be truly effective ministers of change in our nation, and by extension the world.

It is my sincere belief that unless the American church rises up and stems the tide of decay that has gripped our country, we will be harshly judged for failing to cash in on the tremendous opportunity that God has given us.

Sadly, not only do we not send missionaries out to other countries, we are losing our effectiveness as witnesses in our daily lives? Why? I believe it is because we are too comfortable living the easy life. We have taken on so many of the world’s values that we are virtually indistinguishable from them. Did you know the divorce rate in the church is now higher than it is in the world? How tragic is that? When asked about their relationships, there is no difference at all in the rate of extra-marital sex in comparison to the world!

Where does that leave us?

Matthew 5:13 NKJV

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

That is a dreadful place to be church. Let us gird ourselves up and stand like Paul.

Let’s pray.

Benediction

Numbers 6:24–26 NKJV

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’