In Acts 21, Paul's path to Jerusalem is marked by divine warnings and prophetic revelations. Discover the compelling roles of prophets like Agabus and Philip’s four daughters, fulfilling Joel 2's ancient predictions. Despite overwhelming caution about his impending imprisonment, Paul's unwavering determination to spread the gospel illuminates his extraordinary faith and resolve.
Acts chapter 21 is a pivotal moment in Paul's ministry.
In Acts 21, Paul’s journey is marked by significant encounters with prophets and prophetesses who, through the Holy Spirit, predict the trials awaiting him in Jerusalem. This chapter is a culmination of the warnings Paul received in previous chapters about the hardships he would face.
As Paul arrives in Jerusalem, he is warmly received by the believers there. However, the Jerusalem church elders suggest he purify himself along with four men under a Nazarite vow to counteract the rumors of his teachings against the Mosaic law. This act was intended to demonstrate Paul's respect for the Jewish customs and to calm the tensions among the Jewish populace. Despite these efforts, Paul’s presence in the temple triggers a violent reaction, leading to his arrest. The accusations against him, though false, reflect the deep-seated opposition he faced and the volatile atmosphere of Jerusalem at that time.
The chapter culminates with Paul’s dramatic arrest. The crowd's false accusation that he brought Greeks into the temple results in a near-lynching, which is only halted by the intervention of Roman soldiers. Mistaken for an Egyptian rebel leader, Paul clarifies his identity and requests to address the crowd. His calm demeanor and readiness to speak amidst chaos illustrate his profound trust in God’s plan. This moment sets the stage for Paul to testify before a hostile audience, turning his persecution into an opportunity to witness for Christ. Paul’s steadfast faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit are powerful reminders of the strength that comes from unwavering trust in God.
Acts 21 serves as a powerful testament to the faith and courage required to follow God’s plan. Paul's experiences teach us about the importance of obedience to the Holy Spirit, even in the face of adversity. As we reflect on this chapter, we are encouraged to seek God’s guidance in our lives, trusting that He will lead us through our challenges. Join us tomorrow as we continue with Acts chapter 22, where Paul begins his defense and shares his testimony. Thank you for being part of this journey through the New Testament with "God's Plan, Your Part."
In Acts 21, Paul's path to Jerusalem is marked by divine warnings and prophetic revelations. Discover the compelling roles of prophets like Agabus and Philip’s four daughters, fulfilling Joel 2's ancient predictions. Despite overwhelming caution about his impending imprisonment, Paul's unwavering determination to spread the gospel illuminates his extraordinary faith and resolve.
Acts chapter 21 is a pivotal moment in Paul's ministry.
In Acts 21, Paul’s journey is marked by significant encounters with prophets and prophetesses who, through the Holy Spirit, predict the trials awaiting him in Jerusalem. This chapter is a culmination of the warnings Paul received in previous chapters about the hardships he would face.
As Paul arrives in Jerusalem, he is warmly received by the believers there. However, the Jerusalem church elders suggest he purify himself along with four men under a Nazarite vow to counteract the rumors of his teachings against the Mosaic law. This act was intended to demonstrate Paul's respect for the Jewish customs and to calm the tensions among the Jewish populace. Despite these efforts, Paul’s presence in the temple triggers a violent reaction, leading to his arrest. The accusations against him, though false, reflect the deep-seated opposition he faced and the volatile atmosphere of Jerusalem at that time.
The chapter culminates with Paul’s dramatic arrest. The crowd's false accusation that he brought Greeks into the temple results in a near-lynching, which is only halted by the intervention of Roman soldiers. Mistaken for an Egyptian rebel leader, Paul clarifies his identity and requests to address the crowd. His calm demeanor and readiness to speak amidst chaos illustrate his profound trust in God’s plan. This moment sets the stage for Paul to testify before a hostile audience, turning his persecution into an opportunity to witness for Christ. Paul’s steadfast faith and reliance on the Holy Spirit are powerful reminders of the strength that comes from unwavering trust in God.
Acts 21 serves as a powerful testament to the faith and courage required to follow God’s plan. Paul's experiences teach us about the importance of obedience to the Holy Spirit, even in the face of adversity. As we reflect on this chapter, we are encouraged to seek God’s guidance in our lives, trusting that He will lead us through our challenges. Join us tomorrow as we continue with Acts chapter 22, where Paul begins his defense and shares his testimony. Thank you for being part of this journey through the New Testament with "God's Plan, Your Part."
Contact us at godsplanyourpart@gmail.com Thanks so much for listening to the show. We'll See you tomorrow. -Ryan and Jenny
Speaker 1:
Hey everyone, welcome to God's Plan, your Part, year 2, where this year we're reading through and studying the entire New Testament, one chapter at a time. Thanks again for joining us in discovering God's Plan and your part in it. Today we are in Acts, chapter 21, and, as in typical Acts fashion, we've got some prophets and prophetesses giving their words from the Holy Spirit and basically alluding to exactly what's going to happen to Paul as he enters and nears Jerusalem. We kind of have some like final moments with him before things start to get really turned up here in Jerusalem. So I guess today is like the pinnacle moment of what Paul has been kind of alluding to the rest of his followers, his audience, of what would happen to him as he proclaimed the gospel in Jerusalem.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, the last couple of chapters Paul has been pretty much in Ephesus. He makes that short trip to Corinth and then comes back.
Speaker 1:
And a couple other places along the way.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, but pretty much he's been in Ephesus. He has a strong relationship with those people, but he has decided now to move on to Jerusalem. He says he's under compulsion of the Holy Spirit to do so, and now you can see that not only is he being led by the Holy Spirit to Jerusalem, that leading is being confirmed by other people.
Speaker 1:
That was what really stuck out to me in the first part of this chapter, because, if you remember from yesterday's reading, there was a point where Paul was speaking to the Ephesian elders and he was telling them in verse 22.
Speaker 1:
Now, remember, this is Acts, chapter 20.
Speaker 1:
He said I'm going to Jerusalem constrained by the Holy Spirit, like being led by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
Speaker 1:
He's very aware that going into Jerusalem is probably not the safest bet for him as far as like staying out of trouble or out of like conflict. And so the fact that he says the Holy Spirit testifies to me was like, oh my goodness, this is playing out at least five times in chapter 21. Because Paul, when he meets up with Philip the evangelist, he has four unmarried daughters who prophesied, and then, shortly after that, he meets up with a prophet named Agabus it's a tricky one to say, but that one that man also prophesies, and specifically prophesies to Paul, about exactly what will happen to him, like very just, like it seems like he made it up, like it just feels like the person who owns this belt is going to be wrapped up just like this around their hands and like that's exactly what happens. And so Paul knows that these tests of this like testimony from the Holy Spirit is going to happen. And then it plays out at least five times that we see in the text.
Speaker 2:
It is worth noting that we have seen Agabus before, so here he seems like he kind of shows up out of nowhere and acts out this prophecy, which is what Old Testament prophets often did. They would act out what they believed was going to occur. Agabus actually had showed up before in Acts, chapter 11. It's verse 27. It says now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and one of them, named Agabus, stood up and foretold by the spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world. The spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world. This took place in the days of Claudius. So Agabus is like, he has this gift of prophecy and he is regularly using it.
Speaker 1:
He's a frequent flyer, yeah.
Speaker 2:
He's not like just some random dude that pops up. Actually, I think the last time we did this chapter we were like where'd this weird guy?
Speaker 1:
show up.
Speaker 2:
From Little did we know he'd be showing up again so here he is, and he is uh, letting paul know that this is this is going to happen to you, and by the end of the chapter it has already happened to him.
Speaker 1:
By the end of the chapter, we see him bound in chains, yeah, and being led away by roman soldiers and what's really confirming for me too, is that the first words out of his mouth is not just like whoever owns this belt, he also says thus says the Holy Spirit Like he's proclaiming this isn't my, this isn't what I think, this isn't what I feel, this isn't like some goofy thing that I'm making up. The Holy Spirit is saying this period, and it like completely confirms what happens, because it's exactly what happens.
Speaker 2:
It should also be noted that it's not just Agabus you already said this, but it's not just Agabus that's prophesying in this chapter. It's also Philip, who had four unmarried daughters who apparently also were regularly prophesying. And that is important to notice, because in this period of time when the Holy Spirit has fallen on all people, the sons and the daughters will prophesy. That's what's written in Joel 2. That's the scripture that Peter quotes at Pentecost, and here we see that that in fact has happened Like. This is not just men, it's not just old Agabus, it is in fact even women, and even Philip's daughters are able to prophesy and like affirm what the Holy Spirit is doing.
Speaker 1:
So I guess the part that got a little confusing to me and I think could use a little clarification for me is when Paul is coming to Jerusalem and he meets with James and James and the elders are there with him and they're kind of just like I don't know, welcoming him into this chaotic place and there's like some vows going on, there's some cleansing or not cleansing, there's purification going on, there's shaving of heads going on. Can you kind of just give a little bit of clarification for why all of that was happening? Because that was like that was a recommendation of James and the elders, correct?
Speaker 1:
Yeah so for Paul and these other men with him.
Speaker 2:
When Paul shows up in Jerusalem. This is one. This is kind of an exciting detail to notice. When Paul shows up in Jerusalem, this time they're excited, they are happy to see him, they are encouraged by him. He shares what's been going on in the Gentile world and they are encouraged and they glorify God because of it. I think it is actually the first time that Paul shows up in Jerusalem and people are excited.
Speaker 1:
Like he doesn't. A specific group of people are excited. I think that should be the first time he shows up.
Speaker 2:
People are terrified because they're like. This guy goes around killing Christians.
Speaker 1:
We're not sure about this guy.
Speaker 2:
I think one of the other times he shows up he's trying to resolve this whole. Like what should Gentile believers be required to do? And actually James alludes to that letter that they came up with. He talks about that in verse 25. But really what's going on here is the elders of the Jerusalem church, including James. They don't want Paul to be arrested, they don't want Paul to be killed, so they try to come up with some kind of a plan that can show that Paul is not a dangerous person. So apparently there are people in the church at that time that were under a Nazarite vow and they needed to go to the temple to complete their Nazarite vow. That's why the hair cutting is talked about as part of this conversation.
Speaker 2:
It also seems like it was a normal practice for people when they left Gentile nations to go and purify themselves in the temple, to become clean, and so it seems like what the elders are suggesting is that Paul, like, very publicly do things that are required by the Mosaic law, so that he will be seen by the people in the temple, by the people in the city, as someone who is still under the Mosaic law and respecting the law and following what the law commands. Because, of course, the reason that these folks want to kill Paul or persecute Paul is because they believe that he's going all throughout the world telling people just to forget the law, don't do it, and that he has incredible disrespect for Moses and what God has commanded. And so the elders of the Jerusalem church are like hey, paul, if you go and purify yourself, it will be a sign.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, like, almost like a peace offering yeah that's a great way of saying it, and so that's their plan. So Paul goes with these four guys that were under a vow and he goes through these purification requirements, but it actually ends up being the very reason that he gets caught.
Speaker 1:
And then in verse 27, it's like it's immediate as soon as he enters into the temple. Verse 27 says, seeing him in the temple stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out men of israel, help. This man is teaching everyone everywhere, against the people and the law of this place. So, like they are already actually, I should keep going. Moreover, he even brought greeks into the temple and he defiled this holy place. So they're already upset with what they think he's up to as far as like their religious standings, and they're like completely disgusted that he would even bring these men in, even though they've come prepared with their vows and purification set.
Speaker 2:
There's actually a significant misunderstanding here. He has not in fact brought Greeks into the temple Like. That's not true. So the guys that he brought with him were Jewish believers from the Jerusalem area, and the Asians that are accusing Paul of bringing Greeks into the temple are just connecting these people that they saw with him earlier and they're assuming that he brought those same people with him Stinging assumptions.
Speaker 1:
It's not even true.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, it is a false accusation, which is interesting because a false accusation is prohibited by the law Interesting. So at least here Paul is actually going through with things that the law would require and the people who are accusing him and trying to punish him are going against the law, even though they think they're defending it.
Speaker 1:
It's like really crazy too, because this, like it turns up so fast, like the temperature of everything, the chaotic nature of everything, it just it so quickly goes from zero to 10. And so he was just peacefully there and all of a sudden he's bound by his hands, like we heard back in the beginning of this chapter, and they take him, they run him out, with all of these people with him. They're dragging him out of the temple, the gates are shut to him, and so they're basically like ready to throw him into like a court kind of situation. Is that how?
Speaker 2:
I'm understanding. So they they think that he brought greeks past the the boundary into like a part of the temple where only jews were allowed which would have defiled the entire temple, and the punishment for doing so is death.
Speaker 1:
Okay so it's possible.
Speaker 2:
It's like a setup it's possible they intentionally accused him wrongly so that they could justify trying to kill him, but that this is literally what's possible. They intentionally accused him wrongly so that they could justify trying to kill him, but this is literally what's happening. They close the gates so that the temple can't be defiled any further and they start dragging him out, I'm sure with the intent to kill him for what he's done, even though he hasn't done it.
Speaker 1:
So he is asking then too, like he's bound with these chains, like was prophesied in verse 33 here, and then he's asking like, what, like, what have I done? So I'm not totally, I'm not totally sure. Who is he speaking to? Is it that he thinks that the person who has him is is the like? Is he being accused of being?
Speaker 2:
the Egyptian or is Paul asking if he's the Egyptian? I'm confused. No, these Roman soldiers, roman leaders, they believe, because of what's happening around the city, that Paul must be this Egyptian guy who led a revolt against the Romans.
Speaker 1:
Okay, so there is a switch then, so he's in the hands of these Jewish people. And then is he switched over then, because it says that he was brought to the barracks. So does that change? Who has custody?
Speaker 2:
of him, the Romans are in the barracks. Most likely it's the Antonia Fortress which is at the end of the temple complex.
Speaker 1:
So there is like a trade-off which is really odd, because this feels very Jesus-like.
Speaker 2:
It does feel very Jesus-like. A trade-off, which is really odd, because this feels very Jesus-like. It does feel very Jesus-like and what's interesting is that there's again a mistaken identity, because the Roman soldiers believe that he is this Egyptian guy that led a revolt.
Speaker 2:
What's interesting about the Egyptian guy that led a revolt? Josephus, who's a historian? He doesn't write in the Bible. He writes like historical things about what happened at this time. Josephus actually writes about the Egyptian who led a revolt against the Romans and he was known for traveling with assassins who regularly killed Romans. So the Romans obviously are concerned because they're like wait, are you this guy that we like banished to the wilderness because that guy was running around killing a lot of people?
Speaker 2:
And then I think what happens? This is just what I was noticing from the text, you'll see, there's like a short little argument about can you speak Greek, and then he speaks in Hebrew. Paul's essentially like proving who he is by using the languages.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, exactly. So again, mistaken identity. He is not the revolting Egyptian, he is Paul, and Paul is about to make an address to the people, basically like in custody of the Romans. So he's in chains, but he's going to turn and address the crowd now under the protection, essentially, of the Romans, while he's in chains. What's weird is that they stopped the chapter right when he's about to speak.
Speaker 1:
I was just going to say it's like a major cliffhanger here, because it literally says, like, as he turned to speak to them, he said so like, we have like this little bit of a like okay, to be continued, I guess, for tomorrow, but he is permitted to speak, which is really exciting, because not only does he have, like this opportunity to like, in a way, defend himself, which he's not super, like, that's not what his objective is.
Speaker 1:
His objective is more than likely going to be like hey, this is who I am, and also like this is what God did in my life, as like just an opportunity to give his testimony, and God only knows how many people will be impacted in a positive way from it. So this crazy turn of events Paul completely anticipated. So this crazy turn of events Paul completely anticipated, the Holy Spirit guided him through all of it and, like, gave him serious promptings and affirmations the entire way through. And it doesn't seem to me that Paul is just like falling apart and just like beside himself. He is fully confident in the Holy Spirit and God's plan for his life in this very chaotic moment.
Speaker 2:
I think that's actually your part for today. We encourage you to be just as confident in God's plan for you and your life as Paul was. Obviously, that's a big ask. You're not Paul, I'm not Paul, jenny's not Paul, but God does have a plan for our lives. God is leading us, he provides for us.
Speaker 2:
We don't need to fear anything when we are in his will and following his direction direction purposes, and one of the only ways that we can know what his direction, his purposes are, is to make space in our own lives to hear from the Holy Spirit and understand what God is calling us to do. If you are following Jesus and you're committed to God's plan, you don't need to be afraid, just like Paul was not afraid. So we'll be back tomorrow. We'll see what this speech is going to be in Acts, chapter 22. We'll see you then.
Speaker 1:
Thanks for joining today's episode of God's Plan your Part, as always. Please consider partnering with us, as we are a listener-supported podcast that we hope to continue to grow, with support from listeners just like you.
Speaker 2:
We've made it super easy to partner with us, and you can support us by following the link in our show notes or our description. You can support us with as little as $3 a month.
Speaker 1:
Every little bit of this helps so much, and we're so thankful for your support. With that in mind, here's today's reading.
Speaker 2:
Acts, chapter 21. And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Kos and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara, and having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. And, having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days and, through the Spirit, they were telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem. When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside of the city and, kneeling down on the beach, we prayed and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship and they returned home.
Speaker 2:
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemus and we greeted the brothers and stayed there for one day. On the next day, we departed and came to Caesarea and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea and, coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own hands and feet and said Thus says the Holy Spirit, this is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered what are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart, for I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said Let the will of the Lord be done. After these days, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem and some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Manassin of Cyprus, an early disciple with whom we should lodge. When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
Speaker 2:
On the following day, paul went in with us to James and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry, and when they heard it, they glorified God and they said to him you see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law and they have been told about you. And you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Do, therefore, what we tell you. We have four men who are all under a vow. Take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads. Thus, all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance to the law. But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what has been strangled and from sexual immorality. Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them. When the seven days were also completed.
Speaker 2:
The Jews from Asia. Seeing him in the temple stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out Men of Israel, help. This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place, for they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Then all the city was stirred up and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple and at once the gates were shut.
Speaker 2:
And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them, and when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another, and as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the mob of the people followed crying out Away with him.
Speaker 2:
As Paul was about to be brought to the barracks, he said to the tribune, may I say something to you? And he said Do you know Greek? Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the assassins out into the wilderness? Paul replied I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people. And when he had given him permission, paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.
Speaker 2:
Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's Plan your Part. Don't forget you can find us on just about every social media platform and YouTube. Let us know what you thought of today's episode and if you have any questions, go ahead and post them there. You can also reach out to us directly at godsplanyourpartatgmailcom, as always if you don't have a Bible or if you'd like to use the one that we use. Reach out to us via email, and we'll be happy to send one to you. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you again tomorrow.