Acts 21:1-36
Q.1. How much did the churches love Paul? Should he have heeded the warnings about trouble in Jerusalem? What more do we learn about Philip? – (Acts 21:1-14 c.f. Acts 8:5-40; 20:22-24)
Luke gave a resume of the sea journey from Ephesus to Tyre, where they interacted with believers for seven days – … and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem (Acts 21:4). This was no news to Paul, who had already indicated to the Ephesian elders that he would face bonds and afflictions (c.f. Acts 20:22-23). The believers at Tyre responded like the Ephesian leaders – … they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another (Acts 21:5 c.f. Acts 20:37-38). Life for Paul was not about avoiding rejection and suffering, but about seeing the hand of God, even in adversity. Philip was one of the seven servers who were appointed to oversee the feeding of the widows in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-6). When persecution scattered the church, he fled to Samaria, and took revival to them. He was then taken away, to explain the Gospel to the Ethiopian Eunuch. He ended up on the coast at Caesarea as an evangelist (Acts 8:5-40). Paul and his companions – 8 … came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses (Acts 21:8-9). A well-known prophet graphically declared that Paul would be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles. He illustrated this, by tying Paul’s hands and feet with his belt (Acts 21:10-11 c.f. Acts 11:27-28). All responded by pleading with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem (Acts 21:12). Paul accepted the prophecy, yet not the advice to avoid the pain, declaring – … I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13).
Q.2. How was Paul received by the church leadership at Jerusalem? Did they support his ministry to the Gentiles? Why was Paul being maligned amongst the Jews? What advice did they give him to deflect these criticisms? – (Acts 21:15-26)
Paul and his companions went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea, and – the brethren received us gladly (Acts 21:17). Though the leaders rejoiced at the spread of the Gospel through Paul, they soon addressed some issues where there were different opinions. – 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law (Acts 21:18-20). They confirmed the decision of the Jerusalem Council (Acts chapter 15) – concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication (Acts 21:25). However, they faced a problem because there were – 20 … many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs (Acts 21:20-21). They advised Paul to purify himself and pay for the rites of four Jewish men under a vow, in order to prove to his critics that he was not undermining Jewish practices (Acts 21:22-24).
Q.3. What were the Jews from Asia doing in Jerusalem? What false report did they spread about Paul? How was Paul saved from death? = (Acts 21:27-36 c.f. Acts 20:16)
It had been Paul’s determination to get to Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Here he was with many other Jews of the Dispersion (Acts 20:16). Among these were Jews from Asia Minor, who stirred up the crowds against Paul, by claiming – … This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place … Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut (Acts 21:28 & 30 c.f. Acts 21:29). Confusion reigned. Many in the crowd had no idea what the riot was all about. (Acts 21:30-31,34 c.f. Acts 19:32) News quickly spread to the Commander of the Roman cohort, who cut short Paul’s beating. The soldiers lifted Paul up, to avoid the violence of the mob. He was safe for a short while.