Life of Paul - Paul's Arrival & Arrest in Jerusalem = July 10

Paul's Arrival & Arrest in Jerusalem

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 58 A. D.

Scripture: Acts 21:17-22:21

NOTE: 

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

#Jerusalem

    The prophecy of Agabus is soon to be fulfilled. Upon his return to Jerusalem, Paul now finds himself being arrested and attacked by local Jews who have been stirred up by certain men from Asia. Fortunately, however, Paul is rescued by Roman soldiers acting under Claudius Lysias, the local Roman commander. The historical record sets forth Paul's attempt to defend himself before a mob that is demanding his death and indicates a fair reception to his discourse until he mentions being God's messenger to the Gentiles. The angry crowd's reaction to that assertion forces Claudius Lysias to take Paul into protective custody. 

    On the following day, the record reveals that Paul is put on trial before the Sanhedrin Council, in much the same way that Jesus himself had been tried years earlier. By referring to his own heritage as a Pharisee, and to his belief in a resurrection after death, Paul skillfully sets the Pharisees in controversy against the Sadducees, who do not believe in a resurrection. In the debate which ensues, no charges are brought, and Paul is returned to custody. When a plot to kill Paul is uncovered, Paul is secretly taken away by night to Caesarea, where he will later be brought before the governor, Felix. 

    Now, as Luke records Paul's arrival in Jerusalem before his arrest, an effort is made by James and the elders at Jerusalem to calm the anxiety of Jewish Christians, who are uncertain about Paul's teaching. 

Paul’s Arrival & Arrest In Jerusalem

INTRODUCTION

• Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem must have been with some joyful anticipation...
• He had been in a hurry to get there for the Day of Pentecost - Acts 20:16
• He had been delayed right at the last moment, having to wait in Tyre and then Caesarea - Acts 21:3-4,7-10 ...for he was accompanying a contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem - Romans 15:25-27

• His arrival must have also been with anxious expectations...
• He knew that chains awaited him in Jerusalem - Acts 20:22, 23
• He knew that he would be delivered into the hands of the Gentiles - Acts 21:10-11 ...yet he was willing not only to be bound, but die for the name of Jesus - Acts 20:24; 21:12-14

[With such mixed emotions in his heart, then, we read of...]

PAUL’S ARRIVAL IN JERUSALEM

A. HIS RECEPTION BY THE CHURCH...

• The brethren receive him and his companions gladly - Acts 21:17
• On the next day, he and his companions visit James and the elders - Acts 21:18-21
• He details what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry
• They glorify the Lord when they hear this news
• They tell Paul what thousands of Jewish Christians have heard about him
• That he teaches the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake Moses
• That he teaches them not to circumcise their children, nor to keep the customs
• They counsel Paul in view of these things - Acts 21:22-25
• To be purified along with four men who have taken a vow (likely the Nazarite vow, cf. Numbers 6:1-12)
• To pay their expenses at the completion of the vow
• To thereby reassure Jewish Christians...
• That what they have heard is false
• That Paul himself was willing to keep the Law
• That Gentiles were not required to do so, but to keep the ordinances from the conference in Jerusalem - cf. Acts 15:20,29

B. HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE VOW...

• Paul agrees and the next day enters the temple with the four men - Acts 21:26
• Having been purified with them
• To announce the date on which the days of purification would end and offerings would be made for each of them - cf. Numbers 6:13-20
• There are three views concerning Paul’s involvement with this vow
• Paul acted ignorantly, not aware that the Law of Moses was no longer binding
• Unlikely, since Paul preached “the whole counsel of God” - Acts 20:27
• Unlikely, since Paul had already penned Romans, 1st & 2nd Corinthians, and Galatians, which clearly reveal Paul was not ignorant
• Paul acted hypocritically, like Peter did at Antioch - cf. Galatians 2:11-13
• Unlikely, since Paul had endured so much mistreatment already
• Unlikely, since Paul was willing to be bound and die for Christ
• Paul acted consistently, with what he actually taught (which is my view)
• The Law was no longer in force - cf. Romans 7:1-6; Galatians 3:24-25
• Anyone seeking to be justified by the Law was fallen from grace - Galatians 5:4
• Yet a Jewish Christian (like Paul ) could observe the customs of the Law - cf. Acts 18:18; 1 Corinthians 9:20
• A Jewish Christian could observe elements of the Law provided:
• He did not do so seeking justification & salvation, for that comes only through the sacrifice of Christ
• He did not bind it upon others, especially Gentiles who were never under the Law of Moses

[It was this effort to reassure misinformed brethren that led to...]

PAUL’S ARREST IN JERUSALEM

A. HIS ARREST IN THE TEMPLE...

• Prompted by Jews from Asia - Acts 21:27-30
• Who stirred up a mob to seize Paul, accusing him:
• Of the same things the brethren had heard - cf. Acts 21:21
• Of bringing a Gentile into the temple (a false presumption)
• Who dragged Paul out of the temple
• Rescued from death by the Roman commander - Acts 21:31-36
• The news came to the commander as they were seeking to kill Paul
• The crowd stops beating Paul when they see the commander along with soldiers and centurions
• After binding Paul with chains, the commander is unable to determine why people are so upset with Paul
• Paul is commanded to be sent to the barracks

B. HIS ADDRESS TO THE JERUSALEM MOB...

• Permission obtained from the Roman commander - Acts 21:37-40
• Paul seeks to speak with the commander, who is surprised Paul speaks Greek
• Paul identifies himself as a Jew from Tarsus
• With permission, Paul begins to speak to the mob in Hebrew
• Paul’s defense to the Jerusalem mob - Acts 22:1-21
• He reviews his early life - Acts 22:1-5
• His birth in Tarsus, and religious training in Jerusalem
• His persecution of the church
• He relates the circumstances of his conversion - Acts 22:6-16
• Recorded by Luke in Acts 9:1-19
• Recounted again by Paul in Acts 26:12-18
• He refers to a vision on an earlier visit to Jerusalem - Acts 22:17-21
• In which the Lord told him to flee Jerusalem
• In which the Lord told him to go to the Gentiles

C. HIS APPEAL TO HIS ROMAN CITIZENSHIP...

• The enraged mob call for Paul’s death - Acts 22:22-23
• Angry at his mention of the Gentiles
• Tearing their clothes and casting dust into the air
• The Roman commander prepares to scourge Paul - Acts 22:24
• Paul is ordered back into the barracks
• To learn why the people are so angry
• Paul is spared because of his Roman citizenship - Acts 22:25-30
• As he is about to be scourged, Paul tells the centurion he is a Roman
• The commander, learning Paul was born a Roman citizen, is afraid for having put him in bonds
• The next day, Paul is brought to appear before the council, that the commander might learn why Paul was being accused by the Jews

D. HIS ADDRESS TO THE SANHEDRIN COUNCIL...

• Paul claims a clear conscience - Acts 23:1
• This angers Ananias the High Priest, who has Paul struck - Acts 23:2-5
• Seeing the council is divided between Sadducees and Pharisees, Paul identifies himself as a Pharisee - Acts 23:6; cf. Philippians 3:5
• A dispute arises between the Sadducees and the Pharisees, with the latter defending Paul - Acts 23:7-9
• Fearing for Paul’s life, the commander returns him to the barracks - Acts 23:10

E. HIS ESCAPE FROM A PLOT TO KILL HIM...

• The Lord reassures Paul that he will bear witness in Rome - Acts 23:11
• Forty Jews bind themselves under an oath to kill Paul, and a plot is formed with the chief priests and elders - Acts 23:12-15
• Paul’s nephew hears of the plot, and is sent by Paul to the commander - Acts 23:16-22
• The Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, prepares an armed guard and a letter to accompany Paul to Felix the governor - Acts 23:23-30
• Paul safely arrives in Caesarea, and is presented to the governor - Acts 23:31-33

SUMMARY OF PAUL’S TIME IN JERUSALEM

• Paul’s time in Jerusalem must have been disappointing...
• He had been in Jerusalem hardly a week
• He was likely sent away before the Day of Pentecost - cf. Acts 20:16
• But the Lord had given him reason to rejoice, for he was going to Rome! - cf. Acts 23:11
• Something he had wanted to do - cf. Acts 19:21; Romans 1:9-11,15; 15:23-29
• Something he had asked brothers and sisters to pray for - cf. Romans 15:30-32
• 3. The Lord had answered the first part of his request (deliverance from those in Judea who did not believe, Romans 15:31), and would answer the second part (go to Rome, Romans 15:32), though not as soon or in quite the manner Paul might have expected!

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