The Second. Thirty Three Years. That Changed the World. 30 AD to 63 AD

Transcription

1 The Second Thirty Three Years That Changed the World 30 AD to 63 AD

2 Acts 20:22-24; 21:1 22 And now, behold, bound in spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God... 21:1 When we had torn himself away from them and had set sail 57 AD

3 Acts 21:1-3 1 When we had parted (torn himself away) from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; 2 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. In Acts 20:6,16 Luke tells us that Paul had spent Passover in Philippi and was trying to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost (50 days after Passover). These verses tell us Paul arrived in Tyre about 30 days after Passover.

4 Acts 21:4-6 4 After seeking out the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through (by reason of, on account of) the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while 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. 6 Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. The Williams translation of the New Testament (Acts 21:4) reads: Because of impressions made by the Spirit, they kept on telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

5 Prophesy A Message from God 1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully.

6 Acts 21:7 7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. "Ptolemais" - Acco of the Old Testament and modern Acre, located on the north side of the bay of Haifa 25 miles south of Tyre. It was the southernmost Phoenician port.

7 Acts 21:8-9 8 On the next day we left and 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 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him[ethiopian eunuch] and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away 40 Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.... Philip got to Caesarea in 34 AD it is now 57 AD.

8 Philip s Daughters Several early Christian writers mention Philip s daughters. One early Christian historian described the daughters as among those who occupied first place as successors to the apostles. Early church leaders would travel great distances to visit these female prophets and listen to their accounts of the early decades of the church. The daughters were described as being prophets with respectable conduct not like those with excessive ecstatic behavior. They were called great lights of the early church. The historical names of Philip s daughters are Hermione, Eukhidia, Irias, and Chariline. Hermione is recorded as studying medicine first in Caesarea. Shortly after Paul s imprisonment in Caesarea Philip moved his family to Hierapolis, a city east of Ephesus. She continued medical studies there. She later moved to Ephesus and founded a medical clinic devoted to the treatment of the poor and homeless. She was described as the first unmercenary physician as Christian physicians were called as they began to establish free clinics throughout the Roman empire.

9 Acts 21: As we were staying there [Caesarea] for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, This is what the Holy Spirit says: In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart (take my courage)? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, The will of the Lord be done! Agabus had previously gone from Jerusalem to Antioch to foretell the famine of A.D. 46 (Acts 11:26-27). In this instance, Agabus spoke only of Paul s bonds and affliction - he gave no instructions to Paul about turning back or avoiding Jerusalem.

10 Acts 21: After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge.

11 Acts 21:17-20a 17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 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.

12 Acts 21:20b 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; 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, not to walk according to the customs. 22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.

13 Acts 21: Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all [Jewish Believers] will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 25 But 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. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice would be offered for each one of them.

14 Why? Paul loves the Jews Romans 9:1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from the Messiah for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Messiah according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

15 Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.

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