SCRIPTURE: ACTS 21
Bible Verses:
“When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 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 21:13)
ON TO JERUSALEM (vs. 1-6)
Paul and his companion travelled to Rhoda, Patara, Phoenicia, Cyprus, Syria, Tyre, Ptolemais, Caesarea until he reached Jerusalem. They stayed at the home of Manason, an early disciple from Cyprus.
PAUL’S ARRIVAL AT JERUSALEM (vs. 17-26)
Upon arrival at Jerusalem, the brothers received them warmly. Paul went to see James and all the elders and reported to them what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. Paul participated with four men in the vow and took part in the purification ceremony for entering the temple. He submitted himself to this Jewish customs in obedience to the law. “The Gentile believers were advised to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the mear of strangled animals and from sexual immorality” (v. 25)
PAUL ARRESTED (vs. 27-36)
Some Jews from the province in Asia stirred up the whole crowd and seized Paul. They accused him bringing the Greek into the temple thus defiled the holy place. They dragged him from the temple and the commander arrested him and ordered him to be bound with 2 chains. He was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
PAUL SPEAKS TO THE CROWD (vs. 37-40)
Before Paul was taken into the barracks, Paul asked the commander the permission to speak to the people. Having received the commander’s permission, Paul spoke to the people in Aramaic.
THOUGHTS:
- Paul, a man of strong conviction was willing to compromise a non-essential issue to become all things to all people so that he might save souls. As a believer, we must remain firm on Christian essentials but flexible on non-essentials to honor Christ by mutual submission for the sake of the Gospel.
- When the Jews saw the effectiveness of Paul’s work, they tried to discredit him and weaken his work. Beware when you hear accusation against God’s workers. Keep an open mind and pray for the workers to strengthen and support their work.
- Paul spoke Aramaic to the Jews and Greek to the Roman officials. To minister to people most effectively, use their language.