In this chapter, the drama and suspense begins to grow.
Paul is determined to head to Jerusalem, believing God wants him to go, but also being warned in every city that there is trouble and hardship coming in Jerusalem.
His friends and travelling companions keep trying to change his mind so he won't go, but he presses on, saying he is ready to die in Jerusalem if necessary. Paul knows that his life is in God's hands and that the best of life is gained by obedience - even if it means that he dies in the process.
Lord Jesus, give us an eternal perspective so that we can see and know as Paul does that following you is best. Jesus, please give me the courage not to shrink back in the face of persecution or opposition and keep following you.
We see an example of a specific prophecy telling the future in this chapter as Agabus says that Paul will be bound by the Jewish leaders and delivered to the hands of the Gentiles. I've heard some say that this is an example of a prophecy that doesn't quite get it right, but I (and Paul) disagree. The argument says that Agabus prophesied that the Jewish leaders would hand Paul over to the Gentiles, implying that it was their intent and desire to do so. As the story unfolds however, the Romans (Gentiles) come in and take Paul from them, therefore the claim is that the prophecy isn't accurate. However I disagree because the prophecy doesn't say that it is the intent of the Jewish leaders to hand Paul over, only that they do, which is exactly what happens. I say that Paul agrees because later when he describes what has happened to him he says "yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans" (Acts 28:17b). So Paul describes the situation exactly as the prophecy said.
I thank you Father that your words are true and that you reveal your plans to your servants the prophets. Help us to trust you and follow your voice, increase our faith and please keep speaking to us.
The discussion with James in Jerusalem is also interesting. James is worried about the Jewish believers who have been told that Paul tells Jews to forsake the law of Moses. Paul hasn't quite done this but as we've seen before he has "become all things to all people so that by all means I might save some" (1 Cor 9:22). The topic of circumcision is certainly a part of this and the question then relates especially to Jews and circumcision: should Jewish believers circumcise their children. The accusation is that Paul has been telling Jews not to circumcise their children. James brushes it off as not true and sets up a plan for Paul to demonstrate that he still follows the law and Paul goes freely along. Paul didn't directly address the issue but he did say 1) circumcision doesn't count toward salvation - salvation is a free gift of God (1 Cor 7:18-19, Gal 5:6, 6:15)) 2) being circumcised doesn't count against salvation if it isn't done for that purpose (1 Cor 7:18-19, Gal 5:6,6:15) 3) circumcision can hurt salvation if you are trusting in circumcision or believe that it is necessary to be saved (Gal 5:2). We also saw Paul have Timothy get circumcised so it would be easier for him to speak to Jewish believers. So Paul is not opposed to Jewish believers being circumcised, nor would he say to not circumcise their children - so long as they are not trusting in the circumcision for salvation.
The drama then crescendos in Jerusalem as the Jews from Asia see Paul and begin to accuse him. The crowds get stirred up and it is a mob scene similar to when the crowds were chanting for Jesus' crucifixion and the crowds in Ephesus were chanting about their false god Artemis. In each situation there is a spiritual dimension that is creating the mob violence such that many of the people don't even know what is going on.
I think it is interesting that now several times Paul has found protection from secular/non-religious authorities when religious persons (here Jews and in in Ephesus worshipers of Artemis) are trying to kill him. Sometimes the opposition comes from the non-religious and sometimes from the religious. Jesus is a polarizing figure who stands apart and calls all people to follow him. The corollary to this is that for those that don't follow, they become enemies as Jesus said that you are either with me or against me (Matt 12:30) - there is no middle ground.
Lord Jesus, help us to stand with you and call others to follow. Help us to stand and not shrink back yet help us to hold out your offer of new life with mercy and grace.
Paul is determined to head to Jerusalem, believing God wants him to go, but also being warned in every city that there is trouble and hardship coming in Jerusalem.
His friends and travelling companions keep trying to change his mind so he won't go, but he presses on, saying he is ready to die in Jerusalem if necessary. Paul knows that his life is in God's hands and that the best of life is gained by obedience - even if it means that he dies in the process.
Lord Jesus, give us an eternal perspective so that we can see and know as Paul does that following you is best. Jesus, please give me the courage not to shrink back in the face of persecution or opposition and keep following you.
We see an example of a specific prophecy telling the future in this chapter as Agabus says that Paul will be bound by the Jewish leaders and delivered to the hands of the Gentiles. I've heard some say that this is an example of a prophecy that doesn't quite get it right, but I (and Paul) disagree. The argument says that Agabus prophesied that the Jewish leaders would hand Paul over to the Gentiles, implying that it was their intent and desire to do so. As the story unfolds however, the Romans (Gentiles) come in and take Paul from them, therefore the claim is that the prophecy isn't accurate. However I disagree because the prophecy doesn't say that it is the intent of the Jewish leaders to hand Paul over, only that they do, which is exactly what happens. I say that Paul agrees because later when he describes what has happened to him he says "yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans" (Acts 28:17b). So Paul describes the situation exactly as the prophecy said.
I thank you Father that your words are true and that you reveal your plans to your servants the prophets. Help us to trust you and follow your voice, increase our faith and please keep speaking to us.
The discussion with James in Jerusalem is also interesting. James is worried about the Jewish believers who have been told that Paul tells Jews to forsake the law of Moses. Paul hasn't quite done this but as we've seen before he has "become all things to all people so that by all means I might save some" (1 Cor 9:22). The topic of circumcision is certainly a part of this and the question then relates especially to Jews and circumcision: should Jewish believers circumcise their children. The accusation is that Paul has been telling Jews not to circumcise their children. James brushes it off as not true and sets up a plan for Paul to demonstrate that he still follows the law and Paul goes freely along. Paul didn't directly address the issue but he did say 1) circumcision doesn't count toward salvation - salvation is a free gift of God (1 Cor 7:18-19, Gal 5:6, 6:15)) 2) being circumcised doesn't count against salvation if it isn't done for that purpose (1 Cor 7:18-19, Gal 5:6,6:15) 3) circumcision can hurt salvation if you are trusting in circumcision or believe that it is necessary to be saved (Gal 5:2). We also saw Paul have Timothy get circumcised so it would be easier for him to speak to Jewish believers. So Paul is not opposed to Jewish believers being circumcised, nor would he say to not circumcise their children - so long as they are not trusting in the circumcision for salvation.
The drama then crescendos in Jerusalem as the Jews from Asia see Paul and begin to accuse him. The crowds get stirred up and it is a mob scene similar to when the crowds were chanting for Jesus' crucifixion and the crowds in Ephesus were chanting about their false god Artemis. In each situation there is a spiritual dimension that is creating the mob violence such that many of the people don't even know what is going on.
I think it is interesting that now several times Paul has found protection from secular/non-religious authorities when religious persons (here Jews and in in Ephesus worshipers of Artemis) are trying to kill him. Sometimes the opposition comes from the non-religious and sometimes from the religious. Jesus is a polarizing figure who stands apart and calls all people to follow him. The corollary to this is that for those that don't follow, they become enemies as Jesus said that you are either with me or against me (Matt 12:30) - there is no middle ground.
Lord Jesus, help us to stand with you and call others to follow. Help us to stand and not shrink back yet help us to hold out your offer of new life with mercy and grace.
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