Acts 21 - Philip's Four Daughters Prophecy. Is This An Argument For Women to Preach God's Word?

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On to Jerusalem

In chapter 21, we learn that Paul and his companions (including Luke, the writer of Acts) begin their trek to Jerusalem, although the believers in Tyre urged him "in the Spirit" not to go. Since Paul did go, it makes one wonder if he was disobeying the guidance of the Holy Spirit from the church. 

Paul's journey reminds us of Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem, where he knew the cross awaited him. Though Paul was not going to Jerusalem to die for our sins, he probably knew the consequences of doing so. Everywhere he went Jews had followed him to thwart his mission, so it could be assumed it would only be worse in Jerusalem. 

It is noteworthy that not only the men, but also the women and church led him out of the city. This was probably for protection. But, also they ALL knelt down to pray with him on the beach. This shows how tight the church at Tyre was, and also how much the families there loved him. 

We are not told how a church was planted in Tyre, but there were disciples there. This reminds us that the Book of Acts gives only a partial picture of the early church’s activity. - Guzik

It would seem that the specific warning not to go up to Jerusalem was a human interpretation of the Holy Spirit’s prophecy of the danger that awaited Paul. Otherwise it is difficult to see why Paul would have gone against the Holy Spirit’s direction – unless he was in direct rebellion, which some commentators believe is so. - Guzik

The practice of walking with a traveler to the outskirts of the city was traditional; yet the practice of kneeling on the shore together for prayer was uniquely Christian  - Guzik

At each stage of his journey to Jerusalem, Paul and his companions stopped at churches, like the one in Caesarea. Again this shows the growth of the church, and how it had taken root in every town mentioned so far. He stopped at the home of Philip, who was one of the seven deacons and also had the gift of evangelism. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

This is another example of women in ministry. Why do I say that? Because the gift of prophesy means one is gifted at speaking the Word of God. If it is indeed the Word of God, then it would be for both men and women to listen to. Some churches say women cannot teach men, but is this not in way women were teaching men, if they are preaching the Word to the apostles who were all men. 

Paul teaches in a few places that women in the Church should not be teaching men. So this creates ambiguity. How do we interpret this question?  Of course, it is on the basis of scripture. 

Paul's could be explained to be contextual in nature. For a women to teach men in that culture could have brought a very negative image for the church, therefore hurting its chance to evangelize. This is not the only instance in Acts where women prophesied. 

I think the weight of the biblical evidence is for women to use the gift of prophecy in the context of the church. This would mean that a woman could preach, or at least speaking in a way that edifies BOTH men and women. 

But note there are a considerable amount of conservative scholars who believe Paul's teaching that not only says a "women should not have authority over a man" and also "a woman should not teach a man" point to the fact that a women should not be a pastor or elder in the church. 

In my Lutheran tradition, one denomination strictly forbids women to be pastors or spiritual leaders, whereas another one fully endorses women in any leadership position including being a pastor. This creates great division in the church over this issue. 

In Galatians Paul says, "That in Christ there is no either Jew nor Gentile, slave or free, male or female, but all are ONE in Christ Jesus!" Galatians 3:28

Since scripture guides every decision we make in the church, clearly you could argue either way BASED on scripture. My belief is that in this case we can agree to disagree and MOST importantly these division should not and cannot create division in the Church! 

Shortly after this, another prophet named Agabus confirmed what the Spirit said to the believers in Tyre that Paul would be persecuted and even imprisoned, as he went to Jerusalem. In this case God used a visual of Agabus being tied up to illustrate what would happen to Paul. This is not the first time this has happened, as John came in a camel-haired cloak to indicate his lifestyle as a prophet.  God speaks to us in many ways. 

The believers also urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem, possibly for selfish reasons, but Paul says to them,

“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.” 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” 

Paul's arrival at Jerusalem

Paul greeted the church in Jerusalem and went to see James, the leader of the church elders. This was the leadership structure in the church.  There were elders as appointed by Paul's criteria, and also a head elder. This model is used by most churches today though often called by different names like "presbytery" or "church council".  Most assume this was James, the brother of Jesus. 

Paul shared the new of his missionary journey with them, and also its says there were thousands of Jewish believers. But these believers were still very focused on the Law of Moses. They had also been informed that Paul taught against the Law of Moses. So for the sake of the mission, Paul and four others went for the rite of purification and reported it to the temple. 

This seems odd. What gives?

 The Christian community of Jerusalem heard bad, false rumors about Paul. They heard that he had become essentially anti-Jewish, and told Jewish Christians that it was wrong for them to continue in Jewish laws and customs.

Paul agreed to do this, to demonstrate that he never taught Christian Jews to forsake Moses and not to circumcise their children and that they were required to ignore Jewish customs, as he had been falsely accused by some among the Jerusalem Christians. - Guzik

Many commentators believe this was a terrible compromise on Paul’s part; that he was a hypocrite. Yet the motive behind Paul’s sponsorship of these Christian Jews completing their Nazirite vow is explained in 1 Corinthians 9:20: And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law.

This last paragraph and the quote from 1 Corinthians is the most important one. 

Paul Arrested

Per the prophesies, Paul was arrested for breaking the Laws of Moses and bringing Gentiles into the temple. If these were Jewish Christians, they obviously needed to be instructed on their false doctrine. This created a mob scene, and people came from everywhere to drag Paul out of the temple. 

When the Roman Commander learned of this, he went with his soldiers and quieted the crowd. He had Paul bound and asked the people why this was happening?  People said all sorts of things, which confused the commanders, so he brought Paul to the barracks to de-escalate the whole situation.

The violence only continued, and the soldiers had to carry Paul to protect him. It is amazing to me the public uproar against a man who posed no threat to the city, or the people. Again, it confirms the prophesies and showed how the evil one was so threatened by Paul's ministry, he did everything in his dark power to stop it! We can expect the same today

Paul Speaks to the Crowd

In a pretty miraculous turn of events, Paul asks the Commander if he can speak to the people, and the Commander grants his request. What happened next?

Stay tuned for Acts 22!