Paul Journeys To Jerusalem Series

Acts 21:01-09 Paul Journey to Jerusalem

21:01-06 Paul at Seaport of Tyre

21:07-09 Evangelist Philip and His Ministry

Acts 21:01-06 Paul at Seaport of Tyre

Paul had left Ephesus and moved on to Jerusalem. Paul sailed through Cos, Rhodes, Patara, and Phoenicia, and he sighted the beautiful sceneries of those seaports. Paul reached Tyre passing through Cyprus and Syria. Paul appreciated the creation of God and exalted the name of Jesus for the excellent experiences he had gone through. Paul spent seven days with the disciples of that area. Disciples urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. However, Paul obeyed the vision of the Lord and has to complete the mission assigned to him. But Paul determined to go to Jerusalem and enjoy the ministry through suffering.

Again it is a heart moving experience to read the send-off given to Paul by the disciples at the beach of Tyre to send Paul with tearful prayers like that of the elders at Ephesus. Last week, we had seen the farewell by the Ephesus congregation. Paul had a strong bond with the disciples of Christ wherever he had gone. He was a man of principle, the man of commitment and man of fellowship. He was very gentle in relating with the new converts and elders of the Church.

Acts 21:07-09 Evangelist Philip and His Ministry

Paul landed at Ptolemais met the brothers in Christ, and stayed there for a day. Then he left for Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons. Philip had four daughters, and they were unmarried. However, they were in Christ, doing the ministry of Prophesy. The notable sentence is Philip’s daughters were unmarried. No solid reasons spelt out. Does it due to economic condition, social standing, or his spiritual authority in the early Church? We saw him in the city of Samaria and now in Caesarea. Many details of Philip are missing about his life and ministry. The travelling evangelist had his struggles and challenges. But Paul stayed in his house.

Paul utilised his time with the disciples wherever he had gone on his mission trip. He spent his time in a more profitable way to encourage the believers to be rooted in Christ. Paul never deviated from his primary call and honoured the word of God. Paul lived by the grace of God. He had a threat that came to his ministry and challenges to his commitment to Christ. Paul had undertaken multiple risks and had sufferings in his mission as he recorded them in the Epistle to Corinthians. But nothing could stop his ministry.

Discussion:

1. How do we spend our time with new converts and unknown believers, and what do we discuss?

2. Relationship and fellowship with one another are praiseworthy – Discuss your relationship struggle with fellow Christians.

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