[:en]On to Jerusalem (vs. 1-16)
Paul began his journey to Jerusalem. Although many pleaded him not to go but he was determined to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus (v. 13).
Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem (vs. 17-26)
Upon reaching Jerusalem, the brothers received him warmly and they met James, the brother of Jesus, who was the leader of the Jerusalem church. Paul submitted himself to the Jewish customs to show that he was not working against the council’s decision and that he was still Jewish in his life-style. He took part with he purification ceremony together with the four men in vow. He was willing to compromise on non-essential issues, becoming all thing to all people so that he might save some. (1 Cor. 9:19+23). Like Paul, we should be firm on Christian essential belief but flexible on the non-essentials. Sometimes we need to honor Christ by mutual submission for the sake of the Good News.
Paul Arrested (vs. 27-36)
Some Jews from the provinces of Asia saw Paul at the temple and stirred up the whole crowd and seized him. They dragged him from the temple and shut the gates. While trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops. Claudius Lysias, who the the senior Roman official of Jerusalem took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd to stop them from beating Paul. He arrested Paul, bound him with chains and asked who he was and what he had done.
Paul Speaks to the Crowd (vs. 37-40)
By speaking in Greek, the language grabbed the commander’s attention and gave Paul protection and the opportunity to give his defense. The commander asked if he was the Egyptian who started a revolt that led 4000 terrorists in Jerusalem in AD 54. Paul replied: “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a Roman citizen” (v. 39). He received the commander’s permission to speak to the people.[:]