DEDUCTIVE LESSON TWENTY ADVICE NOT TAKEN What is it with us and warning signs? I once saw a video in which a crew placed a Warning: Wet Paint sign on what appeared to be freshly painted park bench and then recorded the reactions of those passing by the bench. The majority of people stopped to touch what appeared to be wet paint despite the warning. Many actually looked disappointed when their test touch didn t produce a paint smear on their finger. I also enjoyed a recent news photo of a compact car floating in a stream with a yellow Warning Subject to Flooding sign in the foreground. My daughter and son-in-law are both nurses in emergency rooms, and they tell me that they have a form ready for patients to sign when they refuse treatment against medical advice. It appears that Paul had ample warning against making his trip to the temple in Jerusalem. The warnings to Paul started shortly after his conversion (see Acts 9:16) and he was well aware of the imminent danger of his trip to Jerusalem (see Acts 20:22 24). In our passage we will examine the many warnings given to Paul against his journey to Jerusalem. If you read commentators on this portion of Paul s ministry, they seem to be evenly divided over whether or not he should have gone to Jerusalem. Those who feel Paul should not have gone feel he was presumptuous and testing the Lord (as Satan had challenged Jesus to jump off the temple in Matthew 4:5 6, to which Jesus responded that one should not put the Lord to a test). Those who feel Paul was acting in alignment with God s Will remind us that the Holy Spirit had initially blocked Paul from going to Ephesus and Asia (see Acts 16:6), and Paul felt compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem (see Acts 20:22). Whether we view Paul as a courageous risk-taker or a reckless fool, the most important takeaway for us is independent of whether or not this was the proper course of action. We can clearly see that God, in His sovereignty, was able to use Paul s choice for His glory and advancement of the gospel. Indeed, one of the hallmarks of our study this year is that we have seen despite the opposition, attacks, imprisonments, beatings, and shipwrecks the gospel will go forth for His glory and our good. Paul had long desired to go to Rome and then on to new territory in Spain (see Romans 15:23 24). Paul would have likely visited the believers there and gone ahead to Spain, but God had bigger plans. After his arrest, Paul would eventually be imprisoned in Rome under imperial guard while allowed to preach in his own house for two years. You might say Paul had a captive audience. It was because of this opportunity that Paul would later write to the church in Philippi, All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar s household. Philippians 4:22 NKJV As we saw earlier in the attempted murder of Peter by Herod in Acts 12, the decisions of man may be contrary to God s revealed will but can never be outside of His sovereign will. The perfect example of this concept in the Old Testament is found in the life of Joseph, whose 1
brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy. Through God s will Joseph became Prime Minister of Egypt. Following the death of their father, Jacob (also called Israel), the brothers came to Joseph to plead for their lives. Joseph insightfully tells his brothers, Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. (Genesis 50:19 22 NKJV). A fifteenth century proverb by German clergyman Thomas à Kempis says it well, Man proposes, but God disposes. 1 As we watch the world unravel on the nightly news, and events in our personal lives often reflect the chaos of our culture, God s sovereignty is the greatest source of comfort for believers. We have a peace which passes all understanding, knowing that ultimately all events are filtered through His will for His glory and the good of those who love Him and call on His name. 1 https://www.englishclub.com/ref/esl/sayings/religion/man_proposes_god_disposes_915.htm Memory Verse And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV Prayer Start by praying over the passage and asking the Holy Spirit to give you fresh insights and wisdom in understanding it. Then read through the entire passage two or three times. Day 1 Return to Judea Acts 21:1 9 The trip from Miletus (the closest major seaport to Ephesus) to Caesarea (the closest major seaport to Jerusalem) was over 700 miles. The ship taking Paul to the first three ports mentioned was likely smaller as it hugged the coastline in making each of its stops. Each port was about one day s sailing from the next stop. It was in Patara that Paul and his companions switched to a larger vessel to cover 400 miles of open water across the Mediterranean Sea to Tyre. 1. Paul was well aware of the danger involved in his trip to Jerusalem, but apparently believed the risk was worth the reward. What does 1 Corinthians 16:1 4 inform us about Paul s purpose for his trip to Jerusalem? 2. Romans 15:25 29 gives us even more details about Paul s plans and purpose. From this additional passage what do we learn? 2
a. This passage hints at the bigger purpose in Paul s relief effort beyond meeting just the material needs of the Jews. Can you identify that purpose? b. Jerusalem was not to be the endpoint of Paul s ministry. What plans did he have for future missionary trips after Jerusalem? 3. For the second time in this journey Paul received a warning (verse 4). What was the warning, and do you feel that Paul was being disobedient in pressing forward to Jerusalem? 4. Paul and his companions (notice Luke includes himself in verse 8) press on to Caesarea and stay with Philip. What do we know about Philip from the following passages? a. Acts 6:5 (you may need to read Acts 6:1 6 for context) b. Acts 8:26 40 (just do a quick read and summarize the story) c. Acts 8:1 8 (notice who and what caused the disciples to be scattered) d. From these three sources what can we glean about the character of Philip? 5. Verse 9 is an interesting passage, and taken in isolation would seem to indicate that Phillip s daughters preached the Word. Some liberal theologians use this passage to justify the ordination of women in the church. What is your opinion? (1 Timothy 2:11 14 could help) 3
Memory Verse Fill in the Blanks And we know all things work for good to who love God, those who are the according to His. Romans 8:28 NKJV Day 2 Return to Jerusalem Acts 21:10 16 Caesarea, located about 60 miles from Jerusalem, was populated mostly by Gentiles and served as the Roman capital of Judea. From here the group went up to Jerusalem. Travelers always went up (notice verse 15) to Jerusalem because it was located on a plateau around 2,500 feet above sea level. Likely the road was swollen with pilgrims trying to get to the Holy City in time for Pentecost. Pentecost was one of three celebrations that mandated Hebrew males to return to Jerusalem to the Temple to celebrate (hence the Jews from Asia that we will meet later in our story). Pentecost was also called the Festival of Weeks (seven weeks after the Passover) or the Festival of Harvest. 1. We will meet a prophet from Judea who issues yet another warning to Paul. a. What was the prophet s name and message for Paul? b. This prophet had a flair for the dramatic use of props, like Paul s belt in this passage, to illustrate his point. What earlier prophecy did he deliver in Acts 11:28? The fulfillment of his prophecy may have created the present severe need in Jerusalem. 2. Describe the efforts of his companions to persuade him not to go to Jerusalem. 3. What was Paul s resolute response to his friends pleadings? 4. Convinced it was God s will for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer, Paul would not be distracted. This is reminiscent of Jesus as He approached Jerusalem. a. How does Paul s attitude reflect that of Jesus as they both approached the same journey (see Luke 9:51)? 4
b. Isaiah described the suffering Messiah in his prophecy written 750 years earlier. What interesting phrase does he use in Isaiah 50:7 to predict the Messiah s attitude later to be fulfilled in Luke 9:51? Memory Verse Fill in the Blanks And know all work for to who God, those are the according His. Romans 8:28 NKJV Day 3 Plan to Appease the Pharisees Acts 21:17 25 1. Earlier the Jerusalem church had a different leadership than it did following persecution, which caused many of the early believers to scatter. a. Describe the original leadership structure found in Acts 2:42, 4:35 37, and 5:2. b. Describe the present leadership structure of the Jerusalem church as found in verse 18. 2. Paul tells the eldership about his ministry in great detail. a. He is careful (verse 19) to give God the credit for the success. He would share this principle later with the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3:5 7 and 15:10. What do you learn from these passages? b. What is the response of the eldership to the news of Gentiles being saved? How was their response just like what occurs in heaven (please see Luke 15:10)? 5
3. Salvation is grace by our faith in Jesus nothing more. a. The eldership recounted their requirements for Gentile believers in verse 25. These would help promote harmony in the church between Jews and Gentiles. Briefly summarize them. b. Just like the Gentiles, Jewish believers are saved by grace and because of their liberty in Christ, they were free to continue to practice the Mosaic Law as long they did not rely upon it for their salvation. Explain how Paul later clarified that in Galatians 3:10 11. c. What should our response be to those that insist on following some of the Old Testament regulations according to Romans 14:1 4, 11? 4. The vow of the Nazarite was usually taken for a month or longer, and ended by shaving the head, and offering several costly sacrifices in the Temple. Often a wealthy benefactor would help underwrite the cost of the sacrifices for the person(s) fulfilling their vows. Paul participated in this ritual as a witness to the Jews. a. According to verse 24 what was his motivation for doing this? b. What additional explanation for Paul s actions can you get from his message to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 9:19 23? How can we apply this in our witness for Christ? Memory Verse Fill in the Blanks And all for to who, those the according. Romans 8:28 NKJV Day 4 Paul Assaulted in the Temple Acts 21:26 31 The charges brought against Paul were very serious. The Romans permitted Jews to carry out capital punishment on any Gentile that passed through the gate, separating the Court of the Gentiles with the Court of the Women. The inscription above this gateway read Any Gentile Passing Through This Opening Will Have Only Themselves To Thank For Their Death. 6
1. What charges did the Jews from Asia bring against Paul? 2. What were Paul s credentials as a Jew (see Galatians 1:11 14)? 3. How did Paul compare his Jewish credentials with his relationship with Christ (see Philippians 3:4 8)? Memory Verse Write the Entire Verse from Memory,. Romans 8:28 NKJV Day 5 Paul Rescued by the Romans Acts 21:32 40 The temple was the focal point of Jerusalem and the most likely spot for an insurrection or other disturbance to begin. Accordingly, the Roman garrison in Jerusalem was headquartered in the Fortress of Antonia situated overlooking the Temple, and was connected to the outer Court of the Gentiles by two flights of stairs. Normally there would be around 1,000 soldiers in the Fortress, although during Festivals the number would be even greater to maintain order. The standing order for the commandant was to maintain the Pax Romano (Roman Peace) at all costs. 1. After Stephen s speech before the Sanhedrin, the crowd covered their ears and carried him outside the city walls to stone him. The Jews methods were a little different this time, but their intent was certainly the same to kill and silence the spokesman for Christ. But this time God had different plans. Describe the events leading up to Paul s arrest in verses 31 37. 2. The Jewish historian Josephus tells of an Egyptian revolutionary who led 4,000 of his followers called sicarii (literally dagger men or assassins) to the Mount of Olives to battle the Romans. Most of the insurrectionists were killed, but the leader escaped. Describe the exchange between Paul and the commander. 7
3. We are about to start a study of Paul s ministry while incarcerated. While in jail, he wrote four of his epistles. Later, from his imprisonment in Rome, he would reflect on these events leading to his imprisonment and conclude that his actions were aligned with God s will for his ministry. One of his prison letters was to the Philippians. What do we learn of Paul s perspective on his arrest and imprisonment from Philippians 1:12 18? 4. While God s sovereign will is always directed for His glory and our good, sometimes the path we are to travel is difficult. Even during such times, what should our response be based upon? a. 1 Samuel 3:18 (Eli, the high priest, had just learned the priesthood would pass from his family). b. Luke 22:42 (Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane) Memory Verse Write the Entire Verse from Memory. Romans 8:28 NKJV Take Away / Summary To avoid walking in circles when lost in the wilderness, survival instructors teach their students to pick out the most prominent point in the distant landscape and walk toward it. In a similar sense we need to pick out the single most important truth in this week s study, and apply it in our life as we walk toward Jesus and out of the wilderness. Please share with your group what that truth is for you and how will you apply it this week: 8
Memory Verse And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV Key Words/Phrases Write out the definition of these key phrases. Both of these are a blast from the past reflecting Old Testament concepts that are being brought into the New Testament by Paul. How would these phrases instruct us today? The Will of the Lord Be Done (Acts 21:14) Zealous for the Law (Acts 21:20) Tool Box Step 1: The Bible. Read the passage in a couple of different versions. If you are having trouble understanding a passage, choose a more dynamic version such as New Living Translation or The Message. To focus in on the exact meaning of a verse, choose a more literal translation such as New American Standard Bible or New King James Version. Step 2: Study Tools. Use these to help you dig deeper. Background Information: 1) Unger s Bible Dictionary 2) Bible Dictionaries online at biblestudytools.com and blueletterbible.com. Word Studies: 1) Zodhiates The Complete Word Study New Testament 2) Vine s Complete Expository Dictionary 3) Strong s Dictionary of Bible Words. Step 3: Commentaries. Commentaries should not be used in place of studying God s Word directly, but they can give you additional insights. Some good commentaries include: J. Vernon McGee, The Expositors Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, H.A. Ironside, William Barclay (great for background and culture but be careful of his spiritual applications). Step 4: Online Assistance. Should you have a specific question about the study please email your inquiry to: markn.valor@gmail.com 2015 Mark Newton. All rights reserved. Express permission granted for use and reproduction by Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA. www.harvest.org 9
Timeline for the Life of Paul 10
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