Paul s Third Missionary Journey, Concluded. Acts 21:1-40

Transcription

1 1 Paul s Third Missionary Journey, Concluded Acts 21:1-40

2 2 Text: Acts 21:1-40, Paul s Third Missionary Journey, Concluded 1. After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3. After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4. We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6. After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home. 7. We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. 8. Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. 9. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. 10. After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11. Coming over to us, he took Paul s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, The Holy Spirit says, In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.

3 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13. Then Paul answered, 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. 15. After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16. Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. 17. When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19. Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20. When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22. What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23. so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25. As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.

4 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. 27. When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, 28. shouting, Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place. 29. (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) 30. The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31. While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32. He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33. The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34. Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. 35. When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36. The crowd that followed kept shouting, Get rid of him! 37. As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, May I say something to you?

5 5 Do you speak Greek? he replied. 38. Aren t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago? 39. Paul answered, I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people. 40. After receiving the commander s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic: (NIV) Introduction: I. This chapter relates Paul s travels:... A. from Miletus to Tyre (verses 1-15), and... B. from Tyre to Jerusalem (verses 16-26). II. Paul in Jerusalem:... A. faced a temple mob,... B. was rescued by the Romans and placed in protective custody. Commentary: Acts 21:1, After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. (NIV) I. The ship with Paul and his companions on board:... A. left Miletus,...

6 Paul tore himself emotionally from the Ephesians whom he loved. B. went straight to Coos, The capital city of the island of Coos was also named Coos similar to New York, New York. C. the day following to Rhodes, and Rhodes was a tiny island famous for roses and for the giant Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, a giant bronze statue astride the harbor, built in 300 B.C. and broken into pieces by an earthquake in 244 B.C. long before Paul s time. 3. The principal city was also called Rhodes. D. then to the city of Patara in Lycia. Acts 21:2, We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. (NIV) I. Paul and his companions booked passage on another ship bound for Phoenicia. A. The journey from Patara to Tyre was about 400 miles. (Gaertner in The College Press NIV Commentary). Acts 21:3, After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. (NIV)

7 7 I. The ship sailed south of Cyprus and landed at Tyre in Phoenicia. A. From Rhodes to Tyre was three hundred forty (340) miles, a journey which, at that time of year with strong winds, could have been made in forty-eight (48) hours. II. The ship was unloaded at Tyre of its cargo. Acts 21:4, We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. (NIV) I. Paul located disciples living at Tyre. A. Psalm 87:4, I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush - and will say, This one was born in Zion. (NIV) B. Paul evidently had to search for the disciples. II. Paul tarried there seven days. A. Some believe Paul stayed in Tyre seven days to meet for worship on the Lord s day. B. Others believe the delay had to do with the ship s sailing schedule. III. The disciples through the Spirit advised Paul not to go to Jerusalem because of their love for him and the problems that awaited him there. A. If the Holy Spirit had forbidden Paul to go to Jerusalem he would not have gone there.

8 8 Acts 21:5, 6, When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home. (NIV) I. Again the disciples, with wives and children, gave Paul a loving send off on his journey toward Jerusalem. II. Again the disciples with Paul and his companions kneeled on the beach, prayed and bade each other farewell. A. When have you kneeled to pray? III. Paul and his companions boarded the ship while the disciples returned home. Acts 21:7, We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. (NIV) I. The ship docked at Ptolemais. A. Ptolemais was located across the bay from Mount Carmel. B. Ptolemais was twenty five (25) mile south of Tyre. II. Paul saluted the brethren. A. This refers to fervent greetings, not merely formal greetings, Christians typically used when meeting each other. B. Romans 16 uses the word salute more than twelve times.

9 9 III. Paul stayed at Ptolemais one day. A. Why did he not remain there seven days as he had done elsewhere? B. Could the ship s schedule have been the reason for the one day stay in Ptolemais? Acts 21:8, Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. (NIV) I. The next day Paul and his companions left Ptolemais and journeyed to Caesaria. II. Paul, et. al. entered the house of Philip the evangelist and stayed with him A. Evangelists were preachers who went from place to place proclaiming the gospel. 1. Ephesians 4:12, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (NIV) 2. 2 Timothy 4:5, But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (NIV) 3. Acts 8:4-40, Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were

10 10 paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, This man is rightly called the Great Power of God. They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles hands, he offered them money and said, Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. Peter answered: May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. Then Simon answered, Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me. After they had further proclaimed

11 11 the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Go south to the road the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means queen of the Ethiopians ). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, Go to that chariot and stay near it. Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. Do you understand what you are reading? Philip asked. How can I, he said, unless someone explains it to me? So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth. The eunuch asked Philip, Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else? Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized? And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus

12 12 and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. (NIV) B. The title evangelist distinguishes this Philip from Philip the apostle. III. Philip was one of the seven appointed to minister to the food distribution for Grecian widows in Jerusalem. A. Acts 6:5, This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. (NIV) Acts 21:9, He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. (NIV) I. Philip had four (4) virgin daughters who prophesied. A. Did Philip s daughters prophesy publicly, privately or both? B. Prophesy refers to teaching and/or foretelling of future events through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. C. Examples: Miriam. Exodus 15:20, Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing. (NIV) 2. Deborah. Judges 4:4, Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. (NIV)

13 Noadiah. Nehemiah 6:14, Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me. (NIV) 4. Huldah. 2 Kings 22:14, Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter. (NIV) 5. Acts 2:17, In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. (NIV) 6. 1 Corinthians 11:5, 6, But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. (NIV) D. The fact that these four daughters had never been married was factual, but not theologically significant. Acts 21:10-12, After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, The Holy Spirit says, In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.

14 14 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. (NIV) I. Paul and his companions remained in Caesarea for some days. II. A certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judaea to Caesarea. A. Agabus took Paul s girdle, long cloth belt, bound his own feet and hands and said: 1. Old Testament prophets sometimes acted out their predictions. 2. Ezekiel 4:1-6, Now, son of man, take a block of clay, put it in front of you and draw the city of Jerusalem on it. Then lay siege to it: Erect siege works against it, build a ramp up to it, set up camps against it and put battering rams around it. Then take an iron pan, place it as an iron wall between you and the city and turn your face toward it. It will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the people of Israel. Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the people of Israel upon yourself.[a] You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the people of Israel. After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right side, and bear the sin of the people of Judah. I have assigned you 40 days, a day for each year. (NIV) B. Acts 21:11b, The Holy Spirit says, In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles. (NIV)

15 15 C. Agabus was the prophet who had foretold the coming famine during the days of Claudius. 1. Acts 11:27-30, During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (NIV) III. Similar demonstrations were used by certain other Old Testament prophets. A. Ahijah. B. Isaiah Kings 11:29-31, About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country, and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. Then he said to Jeroboam, Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon s hand and give you ten tribes. (NIV) 1. Isaiah 8:1-4, The Lord said to me, Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: Maher-Shalal- Hash-Baz. So I called in Uriah the priest and

16 16 C. Hosea. Zechariah son of Jeberekiah as reliable witnesses for me. Then I made love to the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. And the Lord said to me, Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. For before the boy knows how to say My father or My mother, the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria. (NIV) 2. Isaiah 20:1-4, In the year that the supreme commander, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and attacked and captured it at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said to him, Take off the sackcloth from your body and the sandals from your feet. And he did so, going around stripped and barefoot. Then the Lord said, Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush, so the king of Assyria will lead away stripped and barefoot the Egyptian captives and Cushite exiles, young and old, with buttocks bared to Egypt s shame. (NIV) 1. Hosea 1:2, When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord. (NIV) IV. Having heard this, Paul s companions and the disciples of Caesaria begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. A. No one can say Paul had not been warned.

17 17 B. Paul had been warned on various occasions of what was to happen in Jerusalem. C. He went anyway! Acts 21:13, 14, Then Paul answered, 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. When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, The Lord s will be done. (NIV) I. Paul asked those, including Luke, who had discouraged Paul from going to Jerusalem:... A. Acts 21:13, Then Paul answered, 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. (NIV) 1. There was no price Paul was unwilling to pay for the cause of Christ. 2. What are present day Christians willing to sacrifice for Christ? A. Peter made a similar statement. 1. John 13:37, Peter asked, Lord, why can t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you. (NIV) 2. What were the differences between Peter s and Paul s statements? II. The disciples, when they saw Paul could not be persuaded to change his plans, ceased trying to persuade him further.

18 18 III. They concluded, The Lord s will be done. A. Paul surely believed going to Jerusalem was the will of the Lord. B. Other Christians were not so sure this was the case. Acts 21:15, 16, After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem. Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples. (NIV) I. After the days in Cesarea Paul and his companions took their baggage and went up to Jerusalem, a distance of sixty-four (64) miles. II. Joining Paul s entourage at this time were:... A. certain disciples from Caesarea. B. Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, who would provide lodging in Jerusalem for Paul and his company. 1. Mnason, in order to provide lodging for nine (9) men in a metropolitan area such as Jerusalem, must have been a man of means. 2. Obviously the Jerusalem benevolence program did not demand that all Christians share all their possessions with others. Acts 21:17-19, When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. Paul greeted

19 19 them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. (NIV) I. When Paul s group arrived in Jerusalem,... A. the brethren received them gladly, and The contributions Paul brought would have encouraged the reception. 2. However, Paul had many enemies in Jerusalem making this a genuinely honest reception. 3. Paul had not been sure that this contributions would be accepted in Jerusalem. 4. Romans 15:31, Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord s people there, (NIV) B. met with James and all the Jerusalem elders the following day. 1. James was Jesus half-brother who had risen to considerable prominence in the Jerusalem church. 2. Where were the apostles? C. After initial greetings, Paul informed James and the elders of the things God had achieved among the Gentiles through his ministry. II. This was the fifth (5 th ) time Paul had been to Jerusalem since he left Jerusalem in Acts 9 to persecute the disciples in Damascus.

20 20 A. This is also Paul s last trip to Jerusalem. B. Paul s third missionary journey was now over, concluded. 1. Paul s three missionary journeys covered eight (8) years, A.D Acts 21:20, 21, When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. (NIV) I. When James and the Jerusalem elders heard Paul s report:... A. they glorified God, and B. informed Paul: many thousands of the Jews were believers, these Jewish believers remained zealous for the law,... a. The Jerusalem church remained a hot bed for those determined to bind the keeping of the law of Moses on Gentile Christians. 3. these Jewish believers had heard that Paul had taught all the Jews dispersed among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, and that Paul had told them not to circumcise their children and not to observe Jewish customs.

21 21 a. Paul for expediency s sake had circumcised Timothy. b. Paul even shaved his head in Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. c. 1 Corinthians 9:20, To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. (NIV) II. This statement by James is surprising after the council decisions of Acts 15. A. James evidently was of the opinion that God had two sets of requirements, one for the Jews and a separate one for the Gentiles. B. John Wesley said, James should have told those Jewish Christians: I do not keep the law of Moses; neither does Peter; neither need any of you. III. James had a suggestion for Paul. Acts 21:22-24, What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. (NIV)

22 22 I. James advised Paul to join with four (4) Jewish Christian men who had taken a vow and to observe the provisions of this vow according to the Mosaic Law. A. Vows were often connected with temple rites involving contributions to the priests. B. Pharisaical converts were pushing hard for making Christianity subservient to mainline Judaism. C. The battle continued! II. Paul was urged to do this that everybody would know there was no truth in what they had heard about Paul s teaching, but in fact Paul walked orderly in regard to Jewish regulations and that he did indeed keep the Law of Moses. A. Adam Clarke commented, However we may consider this subject, it is exceedingly difficult to account for the conduct of James and the elders, and of Paul on this occasion. There seems to be something in this transaction which we do not fully understand. Acts 21:25, As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. (NIV) I. James concluded that the agreement reached in Acts 15 only applied to Gentile converts, not Jewish converts to Christianity. II. The agreement, according to James, specified Gentiles were obligated to:...

23 23 A. keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols,... B. from blood,... C. from what is strangled, and... D. from fornication. III. James was claiming that he still upheld the agreement made in Acts 15. A. James evidently took the position: Jewish Christians had to keep the law of Moses. 2. Gentile Christians did not have to keep the Law of Moses. B. Two groups of people with different duties, was evidently James position. Acts 21:26, The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them. (NIV) I. Paul took the four men with vows, purified himself with them in the temple, declared the fulfillment of the days of purification and contributed the required offerings for every one involved. A. Paul tried to satisfy the Judaizers, but he did not succeed. B. James advise was not beneficial; that is, did not resolve the conflict between Paul and the Judaizers.

24 24 Acts 21:27, When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, (NIV) I. When the seven days involved in the purification rites were almost over... II. Asian Jews, when they saw Paul in the temple, stirred up all the people and laid hands on him. A. How would you like to be a member of a church like that? B. Among these Jews there was no freedom of religion. C. These Jews were evidently not true believers, but were rank enemies of the Way who knew of Paul s work and convictions. III. Despite James efforts at conciliation, the unbelieving Jews were adamant, intransient in their opposition to the Way. A. Believing Jews held tenaciously to the law for years to come. B. The temple that had only recently been completed, but would totally be destroyed in twelve (12) years along with the entire Jewish nation governmentally. C. This was God s answer to the Jewish rejection of his Son. IV. What happened to James the brother of Jesus? A Josephus wrote that James was delivered up to be stoned.

25 25 B. Hegesippus, an early Christian writer, wrote that James was thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple, stoned, and finally clubbed to death. C. So much for trying to compromise with error, evil. Acts 20:28, shouting, Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place. (NIV) I. These Asian Jews cried, yelled out:... A. Help! B. This man (Paul) teaches all men (Jews and Gentiles) everywhere against the Jewish people, the law of Moses, and the temple, this place. C. Furthermore he has defiled the temple by bringing Gentiles into that holy place. II. Every charge they made against Paul was false, baseless, without foundation in fact. Acts 20:29, (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) (NIV)

26 26 I. These Asian Jews had seen Paul in town with Trophimus, an Ephesian Gentile, and supposed Paul had brought him into the temple. A. Everybody has a right to his own opinion, but no one has a right to manufacture his own facts. B. Prejudice! Our minds are made up. Don t confuse us with the facts. C. It is much easier to make baseless charges than it is to refute them! II. There was no truth in this charge, but that made no difference to Paul s detractors. Acts 21:30, The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. (NIV) I. The pandemonium spread all over Jerusalem like wild fire. II. The people all came together in a frenzy. III. They dragged Paul out of the temple and forthwith shut the temple doors. A. Paul was kicked out of the temple! B. How would you react to being thrown out of church and having the doors locked behind you? Acts 21:31, While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. (NIV)

27 27 I. While the Jews were trying to kill Paul... A. They were trying to beat Paul to death. II. Information reached the Roman Chief Captain that all Jerusalem was in confusion. III. What wicked things have you known religionists to do in your lifetime? Acts 21:32, He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. (NIV) I. The chiliarch, chief captain immediately took soldiers and centurians, more than one commander of 100 men, and ran down upon the mob. A. Romans soldiers commanded by a chiliarch, an officer over 1,000 soldiers, were quartered in the Tower of Antonio located at the NW corner of the temple grounds. B. Prompt Roman action saved Paul s life! II. When the mob saw the soldiers coming, they stopped beating Paul. III. God providentially saved Paul s life through the instrumentality of the Roman legions. Acts 21:33, 34, The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done. Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another, and since the commander could not get at the

28 28 truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. (NIV) I. The chiliarch, chief captain:... A. laid hold on Paul, arrested him, rescued him from the mob,... B. commanded that Paul be bound with two chains, The chief captain did not know Paul and, thinking he might have him a violent criminal who had caused the commotion, chained, restrained him securely. C. asked who Paul was, asked about his identification,... D. asked the crowd what Paul had done to produce such a disturbance, and Why didn t he ask Paul why they were trying to beat him to death. 2. Often it has been said criminals have more rights than victims. 3. There was no unanimity within the mob in regard to the answers given, some shouting one thing and some another. E. commanded, when he could not get a coherent answer to his question, that Paul be brought into the castle, fortress, tower of Antonio. II. Paul was now in the hands of the Romans!

29 29 Acts 21:35, 36, When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The crowd that followed kept shouting, Get rid of him! (NIV) I. Paul was carried by the soldiers to keep him safe from the violence of the riotous mob who still were clamoring for him to be killed. A. This reminds us of the mob that clamored for the death of Jesus. B. Are you favorably impressed with everyone who claims to be religious? II. Paul was being carried up the stairs leading to the castle. Acts 21:37, As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, May I say something to you? Do you speak Greek? he replied. (NIV) I. As Paul was about to be carried into the castle he asked in Greek for permission to speak to the chief captain. A. Paul addressed the chief captain in keeping with established military protocol. II. The chief captain was surprised that Paul knew Greek. A. The chiliarch had heretofore acted on the assumption that Paul was a criminal, whom he considered guilty until proved innocent. B. One sentence from Paul was enough to cast reasonable doubts on all the mob had said against him.

30 30 Acts 21:38, Aren t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago? (NIV) I. The chief captain had assumed Paul was the Egyptian who had previously acted seditiously and led out into the wilderness four thousand (4,000) killers, assassins. A. This Egyptian had planned to attack Jerusalem and conquer the Roman Garrison. B. The majority of his force was killed. Four thousand (4000) of those remaining ran off into the wilderness. Acts 21:39, Paul answered, I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people. (NIV) I. Paul said:... A. I am a Jew,... B. I am from Tarsus in Cilicia,... C. I am a citizen of an important city. II. Paul asked the chief captain for permission to address the raucous crowd. Acts 21:40, After receiving the commander s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic: (NIV)

31 31 I. When the chief captain granted Paul permission to speak, he gestured with his hand that he had something to say and there fell a great silence on the crowd. A. Evidently Paul s chains had now been removed. Otherwise he could not have moved his hand to gain the attention of the people. II. Paul spoke to these Jews in Hebrew, their respected native language. A. The Hebrew tongue was actually Aramaic, the common vernacular of the people. B. Paul s education was of untold benefit to him in preaching Christ.

32 32 Questions on Acts 21: How many daughters did Philip have? Give reasons for your answer. 2. Why did Paul go to Jerusalem when he had been warned on various occasions of the trouble that would befall him there? 3. What are present day Christians willing to sacrifice for Christ? Give worldwide consideration to your answer? 4. Was Paul s going to Jerusalem God s will?

33 Both Paul and Peter said they were willing to die for Christ. What short term and long term likenesses and differences are there in their conduct regarding martyrdom? 6. Paul was greeted in Jerusalem by James and the elders. Where were the apostles? 7. Did the fact that thousands of Jewish Christians believed the keeping of the Law of Moses was essential cause their souls to be lost? Explain. 8. What advice did James give Paul?

34 Was this good advice? How did Paul respond to this advice? 10. Did Paul the Christian in fact keep the Law of Moses as alleged by James? If so, what are the implications of this for today s Christians? If not, why did Paul take this vow and how could James have been so mistaken? 11. What issues face today s church? Do we take the approach of Paul and James in regard to these matters? Explain. 12. What were the stipulations of the agreement referred to in verse 25?

35 Did these, in James view, apply equally to all alike, both Gentile and Jewish believers? 14. Paul took the four (4), and the next day himself with them went into the, declaring the of the days of, until the was for every one of them. 15. Did some of the money for this offering come from the funds given by the Gentiles for the poor saints in Jerusalem? Explain. 16. What do you think of James advice and Paul s compliance with it? 17. What happened to James the brother of Jesus?

36 What was God s response to the Jewish rejection of his Son? 19. What charges did the Asian Jews make against Paul? How many of these charges were factual? 20. How would you describe the character, honesty and personality of these religious Asian Jews? 21. Paul was kicked out of the temple. How would you react to being kicked out of church when you had done no wrong?

37 What wicked things have you known religionist to do in your lifetime? 23. God providentially saved Paul s life through the fast action of the Roman soldiers. Give examples of God s providence as experienced in your life. 24. From verses 33 and 34 list five (5) things the chief captain did. Tell why you believe he did each of these things. 25. What have you done when you have heard charges, derogatory gossip about someone? How could you have handled things more fairly and scripturally?

38 Paul was now in the hands of the Romans instead of the Jews. Was he any better off because of this change? Give reasons for your answer. 27. How did Paul identify himself to the chief captain and what request did he make? 28. How can you describe the character of a man who wanted to preach the gospel to a mob of sinners who had just tried to kill him? How could he have had the strength and fortitude to make a major speech under such conditions? 29. Outline Paul s journey from Miletus to Jerusalem.

39 Paul told the Ephesian elders that he was compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22). In Acts 20:23 Paul said that, in every city the Holy Spirit warned him that prison and hardships awaited him in Jerusalem. Reconcile these two messages from the Holy Spirit.