[:en]SCRIPTURE: ACTS 21
“Then Paul answered: “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:14)
ON TO JERUSALEM (vs. 1-16)
Paul and his company boarded a ship and landed at Tyre. As the ship was to unload its cargo, they stayed with the disciples there for 7 days and had fellowship with them and their families in prayer. They continued on their voyage and reached Caesarea where Philip had settled there. Philip was a deacon and an evangelist, who had 4 unmarried daughters with the gift of prophesy.
A prophet named Agabus from Judea warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem but Paul was determined to go there for Christ’s sake.
PAUL’S ARRIVAL AT JERUSALEM (vs. 17-26)
Upon arrival at Jerusalem, the brothers received them warmly. The following day, they met James and all the elders. Paul reported what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry and they praised God.
James was the leader of the Jerusalem church who wanted to keep the Jewish tradition. He told Paul to prove to the zealous Jews that he was not teaching against the Law of Moses. So, he asked Paul to join the four men in their purification rites. Paul compromised by purifying himself along with them. By doing so, he was denying the truth that he was teaching which is – no man could be saved or sanctified by keeping the law of Moses.
PAUL ARRESTED (vs. 27-36)
After 7 days, some Jews accused Paul of bringing Greeks into the temple area and defiled the holy place. So, they seized Paul and dragged him from the temple. While trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman troop arrived and the rioters stopped beating Paul. He arrested Paul, bound him with 2 chains and took him into the barracks.
PAUL SPEAKS TO THE CROWD (vs. 37-40)
Paul introduced himself as a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia having Roman citizenship. He asked permission to speak to the crowd. When he spoke to them in Aramaic (Hebrew), the crowd quieted down.[:]