Acts 21- Paul Goes On Jerusalem, Is Arrested and Takes a Purification Vow for the Sake of the Gospel!

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On to Jerusalem

Paul now goes to Jerusalem, where he will be confronted by his most ardent of foes, the Jewish leaders. As usual, he met with disciples at different locations at various sea ports. At Tyre, the believers warned him not to go to Jerusalem through the Spirit's prompting. At the end of the seven days, they all walked him out of the city to say goodbye. They knelt to pray on the beach men, women, and children. 

When he reached Caesarea, they met with Philip, one of the seven deacons appointed by the Church. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Once again this fulfills the prophecy in Joel 2:28 that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all people, even sons and daughters. The idea that women should never teach men would seem to go against the fact that these daughters received the gift of prophecy. After all, the gift of prophecy is speaking forth the Word of God. Would that Word only have been for the women to hear? I think not.

After they left there, Paul encountered a prophet named Agabus, who prophesied using Paul's belt to show him how he would be treated in Jerusalem by tying his own hand and feet with it. Then, he says in this way the Holy Spirit says how you will be treated. Once again we see the Holy Spirit speaking through the prophets in the first church. The Holy Spirt spoke using faithful men and women as his mouthpiece. 

Again, the people tried to dissuade Paul, knowing what trouble await him. His response again shows us his character and resolve.

“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.” 

Paul was prepared and willing to give his life for the sake of the gospel. 

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

When he arrived, all the believers greeted him, and he gave James and the leaders the update on all of his missionary work among the Gentiles. The leaders informed Paul of the false reports that even the Jewish believers were making against him. They said that the rumor was Paul was urging the Jewish people to turn away from the law of Moses, even telling them they didn't need to be circumcised. 

This was a key point in Paul's life and mission. He could have resisted their counsel out of principle. But he submitted to their proposal to join some other men and fulfill his purification vow by shaving his head with them. And he paid for their expense. He realized for the sake of the gospel, he mustn't put up an unnecessary barrier for these Jews to overcome.

This represents an important principle in mission work which Paul states in Corinthians, by saying "I have become all things to all people so that I might win some." Though we should never compromise our values when it comes to the gospel, we also need to be sensitive to our audience we are preaching to and not offend them to the point that they would not be open to hearing our message. 

Paul Arrested

Unfortunately despite Paul's willingness to compromise, some believers from Asia came to confront Paul and stir up the crowds against him. They also added that he was bringing Gentiles into the temple thus defiling it. This produced a mob-like effect, and they seized Paul and drug him into the temple where they started beating him. Fortunately a Roman officer intervened to save Paul's life. 

We will see this principle a lot in these final chapters. It is actually the Roman officials who will save Paul, not his own people. We see God's sovereignty using the Romans, who were hated by the Jews, to save their own brother.  Paul was arrested and the commander was trying to figure out why Paul had caused such a stir, but he could not get a straight answer. It was a "mob mentality" that was fueled my emotion not logic. 

Probably for Paul's own safety the brought him to the prison and locked him up still not knowing why. 

Paul Speaks to the Crowd

Paul asked the commander if he could speak. The man thought he might have been an Egyptian who started a revolt and led 4,000 terrorists out of the wilderness. Importantly Paul said, 

"I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

By saying this, it gave Paul rights as a Roman citizen, which would be of utmost importance in these last few chapters of Acts. As such, Paul was granted to the right to speak to the crowd. 

We will see what he says tomorrow! 

I think the most important part of this chapter was when Paul was willing to listen to the Jewish elders and subsequently fulfilled his religious vow. He possibly put aside his own personal and theological preferences for the sake of the gospel.

What are you willing to put aside for the sake of the gospel? Would you submit to the elders of your church to do so?