THE SPREAD IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE THROUGH
PAUL’S MINISTRY AND HIS COMPANIONS (22)
After the solemn and precious communion with the elders of the church in Ephesus (20:13-35), Paul "knelt down and prayed with them all" (20:36). Finally, they accompanied him to the ship. In Acts 21:1 we read: "After we had torn ourselves away from them, we set sail and came with a straight course to Cos; and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara."
In Patara, Paul and his companions found a ship going to Phoenicia, boarded it, and continued their journey (v. 2). They sailed to Syria and came down to Tyre. "Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they, through the Spirit, urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem" (v. 4).
In Acts 20:23 the Holy Spirit showed Paul that chains and tribulations awaited him in Jerusalem. The testimony of the Holy Spirit concerning this was only a prophecy or prediction, and not a command. Thus, Paul should have taken this word not as a command, but as a warning. Now, in Acts 21:4, the Spirit went a step further, telling him through some members of the Body not to go to Jerusalem. By practicing the life of the Body, Paul should have received this word and obeyed it as a word from the Head.
TO PTOLEMAIS AND CAESAREA
In Acts 21:7 and 8 we read: "When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea; and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him." Wherever Paul went, he visited the brethren and stayed with them (vs. 4-7).
He was indeed practicing the corporate life of the church, living according to what he taught about the Body of Christ. Acts 21:10 and 11 says: "And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And when he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, 'Thus says the Holy Spirit: So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" Here again the Holy Spirit spoke to Paul, not directly, but through a member of the Body, about what would happen to him in Jerusalem. This was again a prophetic warning, not a command. It was once again the Head speaking through the Body, which Paul should have listened to in the practice of corporate life.
Verse 12 continues: "Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem." The "we" includes Luke, the author. Here the Body, through many members, expressed its feeling, pleading with Paul not to go to Jerusalem. But, because of his unyielding will to be ready even to sacrifice his life for the Lord, he would not be persuaded. Regarding this, we read in verse 13: "Then Paul answered, 'What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'" Since he would not be persuaded, the members of the Body were forced to leave this matter to the will of the Lord. Verse 14 says: "So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, 'The will of the Lord be done!'"
TO JERUSALEM, ENDING THE THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY
In Acts 21:15-16 we read: "And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge." In verse 16, we see that they were supposed to stay with Mnason in Jerusalem.
In verse 17 we read: "And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly." This arrival in Jerusalem marked the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, which had begun in 18:23.
Enjoy more: Hymn 190
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