Paul's Life - Paul's Voyage to Rome = July 25

Paul & His Associates Sail to Rome

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 60-61 A. D.

Scripture: 27:1--28:10

NOTE: 

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

#Rome

#Journey

The time now approaches for Paul to be sent to Rome to make his appeal to Caesar. Paul is placed in the custody of a Roman official named Julius and is accompanied by Luke and Aristarchus, a brother in the Lord from Thessalonica. What follows is Luke's account of their almost disastrous voyage from Caesarea to Rome. Leaving Caesarea, they sail North along the Syrian coast to Sidon, then west along the southern coast of what is known today as Turkey, past the ancient provinces of Cilicia and Pamphylia, to the port city of Myra in Lycia. 

At Myra, Paul's entourage obtains passage on an Egyptian ship bound for Italy with both cargo and 276 persons on board. Despite a warning from Paul, that trouble awaits them, the crew set sail and they soon find themselves in difficulty off the east coast of the island of Crete. Attempting to make a safe harbor at Phoenix, on the west coast, the ship is blown off course during a 2-week storm and finally breaks apart as it approaches the small island of Malta (Melita), south of Sicily. By God's grace, however, all lives are spared. During the next 3 months. Paul works among the people of Malta and heals many of their diseases. When it is once again safe to sail, the group sets out for Italy on another Egyptian ship that has been waiting out winter storms in the harbor of Malta. The remainder of the voyage is happily uneventful, and Luke records the warm welcome that they receive from the brethren in Italy. 

The Voyage To Rome

(60-61 A.D.)

INTRODUCTION

• At long last, Paul is headed for Rome...
• As he had wanted to do for some time - cf. Acts 19:21; Romans 1:9-11,15; 15:23-29
• As the Lord had revealed in a vision - Acts 23:11
• Paul is not going as a tourist but as a prisoner...
• Having been arrested in Jerusalem two years earlier - Acts 21:26-36
• Having defended himself in various trials
• Before the mob in Jerusalem - Acts 21:37-22:29
• Before the Sanhedrin council in Jerusalem - Acts 22:30-23:10
• Before Felix the governor in Caesarea - Acts 23:11-24:27
• Before Festus the governor in Caesarea - Acts 25:1-12
• Before King Herod Agrippa II in Caesarea - Acts 25:13-26:32 -- Going to Rome because he had exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case before Caesar - Acts 25:11-12; 26:30-32

[The voyage to Rome would not be without trials of its own. Traveling by sea was extremely very hazardous in those days. Paul had already experienced three shipwrecks (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:25-26). He is about to add to his experiences of “perils in the sea”. The first leg of the trip was...]

I. FROM CAESAREA TO MYRA

A. THE JOURNEY BEGINS...

• Paul was placed in the care of Julius, a Roman centurion - Acts 27:1
• Of the Augustan Regiment, a division consisting of 400-600 men (Barnes)
• Perhaps named in honor of the Roman emperor Augustus
• Along with some other prisoners - Acts 27:1; cf. 27:42
• Paul was joined by two dear friends - Acts 27:1-2
• Luke, the author of Acts and “beloved physician” (Corinthians 4:14), as evidenced by the use of “we”
• Aristarchus, from Thessalonica of Macedonia
• Who had faced the mob in Ephesus - Acts 19:29
• Who had returned with Paul to Asia - Acts 20:4
• Later described as Paul’s “fellow prisoner” and “fellow laborer” - Corinthians 4:10; Philemon 24
• Placed on a ship of Adramyttium - Acts 27:2
• A maritime town of Mysia in Asia Minor (Barnes)
• Located between Troas and Pergamos

B. ALONG THE COAST OF PHOENICIA...

• From Caesarea they sailed to Sidon - Acts 27:3
• At Sidon, the Roman centurion allowed Paul to visit friends and receive care

C. AROUND THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS...

• From Sidon they sailed “under” Cyprus - Acts 27:4
• Because of the winds
• Where Paul had gone on his first missionary journey - Acts 13:4-12
• They continued off the coasts of Cilicia and Pamphylia - Acts 27:5
• Cilicia, where Paul was born, and spent five years after becoming a disciple of Christ - Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:21
• Pamphylia, where PerGalatians was located - cf. Acts 13:13; 14:24-25

D. ARRIVING AT MYRA...

• A city of Lycia, the province west of Pamphylia - Acts 27:5
• At Myra, the centurion books passage on an Alexandrian (Egypt) ship sailing to Italy - Acts 27:6

[The first leg of the trip appears to have been a pleasant one, despite the rough winds they encountered near Cyprus. But those winds were nothing compared to what they would experience on the next leg of their voyage...]

II. FROM MYRA TO MALTA

A. SLOW BOAT TO CRETE...

• It was slow sailing for many days - Acts 27:7
• They arrived with difficulty off Cnidus (on the coast of Asia Minor, northwest of the island of Rhodes)
• The wind forced them to sail westward under Crete off Salmone (on the eastern promontory of the island)
• With difficulty they arrived at Fair Havens - Acts 27:8
• Near the city of Lasea
• On the southern part of the island of Crete
• Where they spent “much time” - Acts 27:9
• Sailing was now dangerous because the Fast (Day Of Atonement) was over
• This would have been around September or October
• Paul’s advice is ignored - Acts 27:9-12
• He perceived that the voyage would end in disaster
• With the loss of cargo and ship
• With the loss of their lives
• The centurion is persuaded otherwise
• By the helmsman and owner of the ship
• Because the harbor at Fair Havens was not suitable for winter
• The majority prevailed to try for Phoenix (Phenice), a harbor that faced both southwest and northwest

B. STRONG WIND NEAR CLAUDA...

• Lured by a soft south wind, they sailed along the coast of Crete - Acts 27:13
• They were soon caught up by a strong wind - Acts 27:14-15
• Called “Euroclydon” (lit., wind wave), perhaps a hurricane or typhoon
• Forced to let the wind just drive the ship
• A short reprieve near the island of Clauda - Acts 27:16-17
• A small island southwest of Crete
• Where they secured the small skiff (boat) onboard
• Where they used cables to undergird the ship
• They struck sail, fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis Sands (quicksands off the coast of Africa)
• At the mercy of the winds - Acts 27:17-19
• Driven and tossed by the tempest
• Throwing ship’s tackle overboard to lighten the ship
• Paul’s comforting words, prompted by a visit from an angel - Acts 27:20-26
• After many days without seeing the sun or stars, all hope was lost
• After a long abstinence from food, Paul addresses those on the ship
• Reminding them they should have listened to him
• Encouraging them to take heart, for no lives would be lost, only the ship
• An angel had appeared to Paul, telling him:
• Not to be afraid, for he must appear before Caesar
• God has granted the lives of all those with him
• Paul encourages them to take heart, though they must run aground on a certain island

C. SHIPWRECKED ON MALTA...

• After two weeks in the Adriatic Sea, they run aground - Acts 27:27-44
• Sensing they were nearing ground around midnight, soundings confirmed their fears
• Sailors attempted to flee using the skiff, but Paul and the Roman soldiers prevented them, letting the skiff fall off the ship
• At dawn, Paul encourages them to eat and offers thanks in their presence
• They then further lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea
• In daylight, they tried to run the ship into a bay with a beach
• The prow of the ship ran aground where two seas met, and the stern began to break up
• The Roman soldiers planned to kill the prisoners but were prevented by the centurion who wanted to save Paul
• All made it land, some swimming, others on broken pieces of the ship
• 2. Three months on the island of Malta (Melita, 60 miles S from Sicily) - Acts 28:1-10
• Where the natives made them welcome
• Where Paul amazed the people when he did not die from a poisonous snake bite - cf. Mark 16:17-18
• Where Paul healed Publius’ father of a fever and dysentery
• Where they were honored in many ways, and provided with whatever was necessary when they departed

[For the fourth time in his life, Paul had experienced a shipwreck. Yet God was with him, and would be with him as he and his traveling companions continued their journey...]

III. FROM MALTA TO ROME

A. ON THE SHIP TO ROME...

• After three months on the island, they sail from Malta - Acts 28:11
• On an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead “The Twin Brothers”
• Which had wintered on the island
• They sailed to Syracuse (capital of Sicily), where they stayed three days - Acts 28:12
• From there they circled about to Rhegium (a city on the SW extremity of Italy) - Acts 28:13
• With the aid of a south wind, they sailed on to Puteoli (8 miles NW of Naples) - Acts 28:13-14
• Where they found brethren!
• Where they were invited to say seven days

B. ON THE ROAD TO ROME...

• From Puteoli they head to Rome - Acts 28:14
• Brethren from Rome hear of their coming - Acts 28:15
• They came to meet Paul and his companions
• When Paul saw them, He thanked God and took courage
• Finally, they arrive in Rome! - Acts 28:16
• The centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard
• Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him

CONCLUSION

• Several years earlier, Paul had written of his desire and prayers to meet his brethren in Rome - cf. Romans 1:8-10
• Paul finally had his desire granted, and for two years remained in Rome...
• Yes, it was as a prisoner awaiting his appeal before Caesar
• But as we shall see in our next study, it was a fruitful time in which he taught, preached, and wrote much about the gospel of Jesus Christ!

What helped Paul throughout his voyage and the remaining years of his life was “the God to whom I belong and whom I serve” (cf. Acts 27:23). Later, Paul would write:

“And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Timothy 4:18)

May the example and faith of the apostle Paul encourage us to serve the same God with the same faith he did!

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

Acts 26:12-32 Paul's Account of His Conversion and Commission

Paul's Account of His Conversion and Commission
Acts 26:12-32

When have you had to publicly appear before an important or powerful person and put your fate in his/her hands? 

#God                  #People           #Time                #Place              #Obedient faith          #Sin    #Key Idea

Acts 26:12-32 (ESV)

Paul Tells of His Conversion

12“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,^a ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

24And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”^b 29And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

30Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

 

Hashtags
#Paul (aka-Saul) (along with those who were with him on the journey)
#Jews ‑ the whole Jewish people
#Festus
#chief priests
#Agrippa the king
#Bernice
#Gentiles
#the prophets and Moses
#the saints
#Caesar

Places
#Jerusalem
#Damascus
#region of Judea

Topics
# Servant – vs. 16
#Mission and calling for Paul
#Salvation (Repentance)
#defense vs. 24
#believe
#persuade

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• Compare 26:20 with 20:21. How could you tell someone what it means to be a Christian from these two verses? 
• How does faith in Jesus relate to a repentant change in lifestyle? Would you describe Paul's speech as a legal defense or a personal testimony? How are the two related? Do you think Paul's primary goal in this speech is to convince Agrippa of his innocence, or of the truth of Christianity's claims? Why? 
• From 25:19 and 26:24, how convinced is Festus regarding the resurrection of Jesus? How might Paul's response In verses 25-27 surprise Festus? 
• If you were in this hall, what impressions would you have of Paul as he concluded his speech? 
• Up to this point, the Romans considered Christians and Jews as basically one and the same. From this speech, can the Romans begin to see some differences?
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• How does verse 18 fit as a description of your spiritual journey? Which other images describe what coming to faith was like for you? 
• In verse 14, Paul adds a comment not found in his conversion story in chapters 9 or 22. When has God pointed out to you that your struggle has been against him all along? How has he redirected you since then? 
• Paul considered himself a servant and a witness. In what way is God's call to you similar to or different from his call to Paul? 
• Paul's obedience to Jesus resulted in a trial very similar to Jesus' trial. How has your obedience to Jesus resulted in similarities to Jesus' experience?
• How has Christ brought light into your life? How can you pass on that light to someone else this week?
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

==============

Chris Stinnett

April 3, 2020 at 9:05 AM · True And Reasonable

About the year 621 BC Josiah, the young king of Judah, began a comprehensive renewal of religious practice under the Law of Moses. He ordered the purification and refurbishment of the Temple, including removal and destruction of all kinds of idolatrous gifts that earlier people had installed. This included statues of horses located near the room “of an official named Nathan-Melech” (2 Kings 23:11). Less than a generation later, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and burned the Temple and official buildings.

For years archaeologists have been digging in the City of David, on the east side of Jerusalem. Last October, they uncovered a small “signature stamp” from about 600 BC that reads, “of Nathan-Melech Servant of the King.” This little blue stone seal was found within the remains of a two-story administrative building that was destroyed by an intense fire. The writing, the pottery fragments nearby, and the level of destruction all point to the same time period recorded in 2 Kings. It seems reasonable to conclude that the seal served as the official “signature” of the same Nathan-Melech mentioned in the Bible. As the discoveries continue, it seems that the events of the Bible—astonishing though they may be—are true and founded solidly in demonstrated fact.

“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:25-26 NIV).

As Paul explained himself to the Roman governor and to King Agrippa, he naturally mentioned Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. This was such an “impossible” idea that Festus accused him of madness. Paul’s response pointed toward the facts that were widely known and reported. Since all the supporting information was available, it seemed clear that everything Paul said was true and reasonable—even if it were startling and contrary to all expectation. 

The Bible is a book that is rooted in genuine history. Real places, real people, real times and real events are recorded as God interacted with His people. Everywhere we can test the Bible, it is revealed to be true and accurate. That gives us immense confidence in the reliability of the Scriptures, just as we would trust any witness who was proven to be truthful and credible. People who slander the Bible as a collection of fanciful tales of wishful thinking have clearly never examined the facts. There has never been a book so thoroughly scrutinized by skeptics trying to find fault as the Bible has been. And no book, ancient or modern, has been so completely vindicated again and again by demonstrated fact. Even the resurrection of Jesus is found to be true and reasonable—and that undeniable fact demands our attention. If He is raised from the dead, He is the Son of God and actually has all authority in heaven and on earth. That’s not ignorant delusion; that’s true and reasonable, a fact we all must deal with.

=============

“SIGHT TO THE BLIND”

Lewis G. Hale

 

When Jesus visited his hometown synagogue in Nazareth, he stood up and read from the prophet Isaiah. He said the Spirit of the Lord had anointed him to preach to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, “and recovering of sight to the blind.” Luke 4:18-19.

                Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be blind? What a great blessing for a blind person to receive the gift of sight!

                When the blind man of Jericho heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried, “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” When Jesus asked, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?”, the blind man said, “Lord, that I may receive my sight.” Jesus immediately healed him. He must have experienced unspeakable joy. Can you image a blind man who would refuse to accept the gift of sight? I seems to me that no person in his right mind would say, “I prefer to remain blind.”

                Yet, there is another kind of blindness that is even more serious - spiritual blindness. Our sin and ignorance of God is called blindness. When Christ called Saul to be an apostle, he said he would send him to the Gentiles “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light (from blindness to sight), and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me,” Acts 26:17-18. This the true sight which Christ came to give.

                In spite of the fact that Christ came to give us sight, many deliberately choose to remain blind. When the disciples of Jesus asked why he spoke in parables, he said it was because some did not want to hear nor see, so parables concealed the truth from them. He then quoted from Isaiah, “By hearing ye shall hear and shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people’s heart is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time the should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them,” Matt. 13:14-15.

                This means they would have no forgiveness of sins and would have no inheritance. How sad. How unnecessary.

===========

ACTS 26:28

 

evn      ovli,gw me        pei,qeij                 Cristiano.n         poih/sai

In       little       me      you persuade     Christian          to make

 

 

KJV:	Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
RSV:	In a short time you think to make me a Christian.
NASB:	In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.
NIV:	Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?
ASV:	With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.
LAMSA:	With little effort you almost persuade me to become a Christian.
LO:	You almost persuade me to be a Christian.
Spanish:	Por poco me persuades a ser criastiano.
HEB:	עוֹד מְַעַט וּפתּיתַנִִי לְְהְיוֹת נְצְִרִי
============

                                                               Acts 26:28

                                                            By Mark Moore

 

NIV:                Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?

Literal:             In a little you are persuading me to make a Christian

 

This is a difficult passage to interpret because of three questions which we may never be able to answer. First, does the word little refer to time, the number of words Paul spoke or some other factor? Second, what was Agrippa‘s tone? Was he serious or sarcastic. Third, is this a statement of fact or a question? The following paraphrases suggest a few possibilities.

 

Sarcasm:

Ø  What is this? Do you think that you can convert me in just 30 minutes?

Ø  What is this? Do you think that I‘m going to become a Christian on the basis of such meager evidence?

Ø  Come on Paul! You've hardly expended any effort on me. You‘ll have to do better than this if you want me to convert.

 

Serious:

Ø  Paul, you almost had me. With just a little more evidence I could accept what you are saying.

Ø  Paul, I‘m pretty close to becoming a Christian. If I let you keep talking a little longer I would probably convert.

Ø  Wow! You've drawn me in quickly. Is it possible that I would change my mind so soon?

Ø  You are an amazing man! With such little effort on your part, I've come so close to accepting your position. 

Acts 21:1-16 Paul's Journey to Jerusalem

Paul's Journey to Jerusalem
Acts 21:1-16

What place did your parents have to drag you to, because you were scared to go there; Circus? Dentist's? Elsewhere?

#God                  #People           #Time                #Place              #Obedient faith          #Sin    #Key Idea

Paul Goes to Jerusalem

1And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.^a 2And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

7When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers^b and stayed with them for one day. 8On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews^c at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

15After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

Hashtags
#we
#Paul
#the disciples
#wives and children
#the brothers
#Philip the evangelist (one of the seven)
#four unmarried daughters
#Agabus (prophet)
#the Jews
#the Gentiles
#Mnason of Cyprus (early disciple)


Places
#Tyre
#Judea
#Jerusalem


Topics
#mission trip – travel
#Jerusalem






• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• What do verses 21:1-16 reveal about God, especially the Holy Spirit?
• How is Paul interpreting these warnings differently than his friends do vv. 4,10-13; see 20:22-23)?  If the Spirit did not want the saints to try to stop Paul (as they mistakenly concluded), then what was the Spirit seeking to do? What were the saints to learn? What was the reason for these revelations?  Why doesn't he listen to their advice? 
• Have you ever had to make a decision against the wishes of people you loved and trusted?
• What else do you know about Agabus (see 11:27-29) that gives more credence to his prophecy? Does Paul strike you as courageous or foolish, given this belt-tightening message? Why? 
• Why does he want to go to Jerusalem? Do you think Paul made the right decision in going on to Jerusalem?
• Why do you think God gave this message to Paul in advance of his Jerusalem experience?
• Do you see Luke’s parallelism between the journeys of Jesus and Paul to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-62)? Why do you think he developed this idea?
• Why was Paul so resolute in his reaction to his friends’ pleas that he not go to Jerusalem?
• What did Paul’s friends mean when they told Paul, “The Lord’s will be done”?
• In what ways is the Lord’s will the same for all people? In what ways distinctive to each person?
• How do you determine the Lord’s will for your life in difficult situations?
• What do verses 21:1-16 reveal about God, especially the Holy Spirit?
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• In your eyes, did Paul make the right decision to go to Jerusalem, even though godly people through the Spirit urged him not to go? 
• When have you made decisions against the wishes of people you admired and trusted? What happened? In retrospect, were your decisions wise ones? Explain.
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

ON TO JERUSALEM (Acts 21:1-16) — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

The narrative of Paul's journey to Jerusalem is of literary and historical significance because it comprises the third of Luke's four "we" sections (21:1-18; cf. 16:10-17; 20:5-15; 27:1-28:16). This section is theologically significant because Luke seems to describe Paul's trip to Jerusalem in terms of Jesus' going up to Jerusalem to die. Luke knows, of course, that Paul did not die at Jerusalem. Yet he seems to sketch out Paul's journey to Jerusalem in terms that roughly parallel that of Jesus:

(1) a similar plot by the Jews;

(2) a handing over to the Gentiles (v.11);

(3) a triple prediction on the way of coming suffering (20:22-24; 21:4, 10-11; cf. Luke 9:22, 44; 18:31-34);

(4) a steadfast resolution (v.13)

(5) a holy resignation to God's will (v.14). As Luke has reserved for Paul the mission to the Gentiles, which Jesus saw as inherent in the Servant theology of Isaiah 61 (cf. Luke 4:16-21), so he describes Paul's journey to Jerusalem in terms reminiscent of the Suffering Servant.

Also, this passage contains several warnings given by the Spirit that Paul would encounter trouble during his visit to Jerusalem (vv. 4, 10–12). But the apostle persisted (v. 14), later being arrested and sent to Rome under guard. Arguments to whether or not Paul was in the perfect will of God are pointless. What is useful is to note 1) prophecies do not have to dictate the decisions or manipulate the will of a godly person; 2) even though they may be true, God’s purpose may yet be realized, as was the case in God’s will ultimately bringing Paul to Rome.

It is essential that as disciples obey Jesus. What is God calling you and I to do today?

Think about it!

=================

Did Paul Disobey the Holy Spirit?

By Mark Moore

 

In Acts 21:4 the brothers of Tyre urged Paul "through the Spirit" not to go up to Jerusalem. Paul ignores their appeal and heads toward the capital city. Two days later, on route to his "destiny," Paul is urged again not to go, this time by the prophet Agabus in the city of Caesarea. He binds himself with Paul's belt and says, "Paul, this is what is going to happen to you if you continue in your present course." Of course Paul is not dissuaded. With these strong words he rejects their pleadings; "I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13).

Here's the issue: Paul gets a clear message from the Holy Spirit through Christian brothers that he would be arrested and beaten in Jerusalem and yet he persists in going. Is he disobedient to the Holy Spirit? After all, his actions got him brutally beaten and landed him in jail for nearly four years. We should consider several things here.

First, Paul has twice before indicated that he was bound "in the spirit" to go to Jerusalem (Acts 19:21 & 20:22). Granted, we might read "spirit" as a lower case rather than a capital "S," thus indicating that this was Paul's desire, not God's. However, that is not the natural reading of this Greek construction (en followed by the dative article and pneumati, cf. Luke 1:27; 4:1; unless another pneuma is specified, cf. Luke 1:17; Rom 1:9). It looks an awful lot like Paul means to say that the Holy Spirit led him to go to Jerusalem and then on to Rome.

Second, the fact that Paul gets beat up and thrown in jail does not mean that this goes against God's will. Like it or not, God's primary agenda is not our comfort but the proclamation of the gospel. Furthermore, Paul has been arrested and beaten throughout his ministry and his sufferings have consistently advanced the gospel. There is nothing new or surprising here. The fact that Paul's travels were halted for four years may bother us, but these imprisonments also afforded both Paul and Luke the opportunity to do a good bit of writing which has proved to be even more effective and enduring than their itinerant tours. Moreover, Paul's actions eventually got him to Rome through God's sovereign hand. Here he was privileged to evangelize Nero himself (Acts 27:24). Luke, as a historian, apparently sees this as part of God's design. At least that's the way he paints the picture in his narrative.

Third, the Christians in Tyre and Caesarea received a message from the Holy Spirit about Paul's sufferings, not necessarily a message forbidding him to go to Jerusalem. Hence, their urging Paul not to go may be their assumption about the Holy Spirit's message beyond the message itself. As Stott says, "Perhaps Luke's statement is a condensed way of saying that the warning was divine while the urging was human" (p. 333). Granted, Paul is not Jesus. Thus, it is not blasphemy to blame him for making a mistake or not heeding the warnings of the Holy Spirit. But in this case such an accusation seems premature. Rather, it looks like both Paul and the brothers hear the same message from the Holy Spirit and decide to do two different things about it. The brothers have a tender and proper concern for Paul's welfare. Paul has a zealous and proper concern for the conversion of his countrymen. Both are correct and God's will is done. 

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Forty Wrestlers for Christ
#Spiritual
#Conflict

   In the days of the Roman Emperor Nero, there lived and served him a band of soldiers known as the "Emperor's Wrestlers." Fine, stalwart men they were, picked from the best and the bravest of the land, recruited from the great athletes of the Roman amphitheater.
   In the great amphitheater they upheld the arms of the emperor against all challengers. Before each contest they stood before the emperor's throne. Then through the courts of Rome rang the cry: "We, the wrestlers, wrestling for thee, O Emperor, to win for thee the victory and from thee, the victor's crown."
   When the great Roman army was sent to fight in Gaul, no soldiers were braver or more loyal than this band of wrestlers led by their centurion Vespasian. But news reached Nero that many Roman soldiers had accepted the Christian faith. Therefore, this decree was dispatched to the centurion Vespasian; "If there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Christian, they must die!"
   The decree was received in the dead of winter. The soldiers were camped on the shore of a frozen inland lake. It was with sinking heart that Vespasian, the centurion, read the emperor's message.
   Vespasian called the soldiers together and asked: "Are there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christian? If so, let him step forward!" Forty wrestlers instantly stepped forward two paces, respectfully saluted, and stood at attention. Vespasian paused. He had not expected so many, nor such select ones. "Until sundown I shall await your answer," said Vespasian. Sundown came. Again the question was asked. Again the forty wrestlers stepped forward.
   Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly without prevailing upon a single man to deny his Lord. Finally he said, "The decree of the emperor must be obeyed, but I am not willing that your comrades should shed your blood. I order you to march out upon the lake of ice, and I shall leave you there to the mercy of the elements."
   The forty wrestlers were stripped and then, falling into columns of four, marched toward the center of the lake of ice. As they marched they broke into the chant of the arena: "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown!" Through the night Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched. As he waited through the long night, there came to him fainter and fainter the wrestlers' song.
   As morning drew near one figure, overcome by exposure, crept quietly toward the fire; in the extremity of his suffering he had renounced his Lord. Faintly but clearly from the darkness came the song: "Thirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown!"
   Vespasian looked at the figure drawing close to the fire. Perhaps he saw eternal light shining there toward the center of the lake. Who can say? But off came his helmet and clothing, and he sprang upon the ice, crying, "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown!"

See:  Acts 21:13

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Who Will Die?

   Fearful scenes are flung our way;
   Masses jostle to a judgement day,
   led by liars headed for fire;
   death they ignore and demons admire;
   helpless, hopeless, tricked, but proud --
   who will go and love this crowd?
   He who bravely met the test leaves for us the scene impressed:
   Who will die as Jesus died, calmly setting self aside?

   -- Byron Harting

See:  Acts 21:13

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Humor: A Plateful of Prayer?
#Prayer
#Bowing in Prayer

Our three-year-old grandson, Daniel, stayed with us while his parents went on a weekend trip. As usual, we bowed our heads as my husband prayed out loud before all our meals. Daniel watched curiously each time his grandpa prayed.
   On the day his parents came to pick him up, we all sat down at the table to have lunch. Just as his daddy started to pick up his sandwich, Daniel shouted, "Wait, Daddy, we can't eat 'til Grandpa reads his plate!"

   -- Diana L. James, Laguna Hills, CA. "Heart to Heart," Today's Christian Woman.

See: Ge 24:26; Ac 21:5