Paul At Jerusalem Series

Acts 21:10-26 Paul Journeys to Jerusalem

21:10-16 Paul at Seaport of Caesarea

21:17-26 Paul reports to James and Elders

21:10-16 Paul at Seaport of Caesarea

Paul stayed at Caesarea and had fellowship with the evangelist and Deacon Philip. A prophet named Agabus from Judea prophesied about the arrest of Paul at Jerusalem. God sent his servant to make known the future of Paul to the disciples at Caesarea and other cities. Paul prepared for the eventuality, and he was ready to die for the sake of Jesus Christ. Paul determines to take the good news to the ends of the Earth as per the promise of Jesus Christ. The ends of the Earth refer to the Roman Capital, Rome. He prepared the disciples to accept the will of God, and they affirmed by saying, “Lord’s will be done”.

Then they got ready to go to Jerusalem and prepared to face. Some of the disciples journeyed to Jerusalem by accompanying Paul. They reached and stayed at the home of Mnason. He was a man from Cyprus. This passage teaches us how to react to the persecution and inadvertent situations we face in our lives. Mission work always warrants our readiness to face anything that happens to us. The Christian life is a life surrendered to God to meet all the uncertainties and unexpected events to establish grace among the people.

Acts 21:17-26 Paul reports to James and Elders.

Disciples at Jerusalem received Paul and his companions with warmth. After having relaxed from the exhaustion of the ship voyage, Paul and his companions went to meet Apostle James, and all the elders were present. Paul reported to the Apostles what God had done through him among the gentiles. The reporting was not a demand from the apostles as a hierarchical necessity. But it was part of sharing the joy of the expansion of the Kingdom of God. It shows the healthy relationship maintained between Paul and the leaders at Jerusalem. It was an ecumenical relationship and accountability to one another with a social audit. Paul took the grace seriously and honoured it through his life.

It is one of the grey areas to understand that the Apostles at Jerusalem and Paul wanted to please the Jews. Paul had gone to the temple to prove that he was living under the Law of Moses, While he preached after living under the grace of Jesus Christ. The theology of the early Church at this stage was a mixed one. It seems that they had two kinds of theological understanding: 1. Jews should have Circumcision and follow all the customs of the Mosaic Law along with believing in Jesus Christ. 2. The Gentiles must follow the new rules and regulations laid by the Jerusalem Council. The four thump rules apply to all. But, gentiles are exempted from the Mosaic requirements of Circumcision and other customs of the Jews.

Discussion:

1. Is it right to go ahead with ministry and mission knowing that we would face persecution?

2. How to teach the new believers to be accustomed to the teachings and demands of Christ?

(For further studies on Acts of the Apostles, kindly refer to this site)