Acts Chapter 21
Paul was warned plenty of times not to go to Jerusalem, but he knew that the Holy Spirit had compelled him to go. God was working in some incredible ways to prepare him for what he would face in Jerusalem through the prophecies given to others. People thought that the prophecies meant he should not go; and besides they did not want their beloved Paul to be harmed. Paul, however, knew that the Holy Spirit was telling him to go to Jerusalem and Paul could not do otherwise.
Acts 19:21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there
Let's Reflect
1. From what city were the disciples (followers of the way) who gave the first warning for Paul not to go to Jerusalem?
2. After spending several days with these people, what type of a send-off did they give Paul?
3. When they arrived in Caesarea they went to the house of Philip the evangelist. This is the same man who had led the Ethiopian to saving faith in Christ Jesus. Philip has continued to spread the gospel and is known as an evangelist. His daughters had the gift of prophecy. Scripture does not tell us if they were given a prophecy about Paul going to Jerusalem, so it seems likely they did not. How many daughters did Philip have with this gift?
4. A man named Agabus did receive a prophecy from the Holy Spirit about Paul going to Jerusalem. He wanted to be clear about the prophecy (vision) that he saw so he did what?
5. Notice carefully the words of the prophecy – did the Holy Spirit tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem? Who told him not to go?
6. How did Paul respond to the recommendation not to go?
7. They traveled to Jerusalem and went to the church (most likely a house), where James and the elders were. They had a praise and worship service. What did Paul tell those gathered that caused them to praise God?
8. There had been a rumor floating around about Paul’s ministry that he had turned anti-Jewish, abandoning all the laws of Moses. So they devised a plan that would demonstrate that Paul had not taught that Jews should forsake Moses and he did not teach that children were not to be circumcised. This plan was for Paul to enter into a vow with 4 other men who would shave their heads. They wanted to demonstrate to the Jewish leadership that Paul was not doing these things by showing that he would sponsor these Jewish men who were taking a vow to concentrate themselves to purification. Did Paul agree to do this?
9. When Paul was seen in the temple what happened?
10. Notice where the men who accused Paul of wrongdoing were. These were the same Jewish men who had made accusations against him in what country? See verse 27.
11. What was the intent of this mob of people that came up against Paul and were beating him?
12. They stopped beating Paul when the tribune happened to come to see what the uproar was all about. What did the Roman soldiers do with Paul?
The story continues in the next chapter as Paul requested to speak to the people.
Devotionals
