Acts Chapter Twenty-One

 Act 21:1  And when it was time to sail, we having been torn away from them, running direct we came to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 

Act 21:2  And finding a ship crossing over to Phoenice, going on board we set sail: 

Act 21:3  and sighting Cyprus, and leaving it on the left, we sailed to Syria, and came down to Tyre; for the ship was unloading the cargo there. 

Act 21:4  And finding disciples, we remained there seven days; who told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. 

Act 21:5  But when it was time for us to complete the days, going out, we traveled. And they, with all the women and children went with us as far as outside the city. And placing the knees on the shore, we prayed. 

Act 21:6  And giving parting greetings to one another, we went up into the ship, and those went back to their own. 

Act 21:7  And completing the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. And having greeted the brothers, we remained one day with them. 

Act 21:8  And on the morrow, those around him going out, Paul came to Caesarea. And going into the house of Philip the evangelist, he being of the Seven, we stayed with him. 

Act 21:9  And there were four virgin daughters to this one, who prophesied. 

Act 21:10  And we remaining more days, a certain prophet from Judea named Agabus came down. 

Act 21:11  And coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, and binding his hands and feet, he said, The Holy Spirit says these things: In Jerusalem the Jews will bind in this way the man whose girdle this is, and will deliver him up into the hands of the nations. 

Act 21:12  And when we heard these things, both we and those of the place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 

Act 21:13  But Paul answered, What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I not only am ready to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 

Act 21:14  And he not being persuaded, we were silent, saying, The will of the Lord be done. 

Act 21:15  And after these days, having made ready, we went up to Jerusalem. 

Act 21:16  And also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing Mnason, a certain , an ancient disciple, with whom we might lodge. 

Act 21:17  And we being in Jerusalem, the brothers joyfully received us. 

Act 21:18  And on the next day, Paul went in with us to James. And all the elders came. 

Act 21:19  And having greeted them, he related one by one what things God had worked among the nations through his ministry. 

Act 21:20  And hearing, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, You see, brother, how many myriads there are of Jews that have believed, and all are zealous ones of the Law. 

Act 21:21  And they were informed about you, that you teach falling away from Moses, telling all the Jews throughout the nations not to circumcise their children, nor to walk in the customs. 

Act 21:22  What then is it? At all events, a multitude must come together, for they will hear that you have come. 

Act 21:23  Then do this, what we say to you: There are four men who have a vow on themselves; 

Act 21:24  taking these, be purified with them, and be at expense on them, that they may shave the head. And all shall know that all what they have been told about you is nothing, but you yourself walk orderly, keeping the Law. 

Act 21:25  And as to the believing nations, we joined in writing, judging them to observe no such thing, except to keep themselves from both idol sacrifice, and the blood, and a thing strangled, and from fornication. 

Act 21:26  Then taking the men on the next day, having been purified with them, Paul went into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of the purification, until the offering should be offered for each one of them. 

Act 21:27  But when the seven days were about to be completed, having seen him in the temple, the Jews from Asia stirred up all the crowd, and they laid hands on him, 

Act 21:28  crying out, Men, Israelites, help! This is the man who teaches all everywhere against the people and the Law and this place. And even more, he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place. 

Act 21:29  For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they supposed that Paul brought into the temple. 

Act 21:30  And the whole city was moved, and there was a running together of people. And laying hands on Paul, they drew him outside of the temple, and at once the doors were shut. 

Act 21:31  But as they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the chiliarch of the cohort, that all Jerusalem is in a tumult. 

Act 21:32  He at once ran down to them, taking soldiers and centurions. And seeing the chiliarch and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 

Act 21:33  Then going near, the chiliarch laid hold of him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains. And he asked who he might be, and what he is doing. 

Act 21:34  But others cried something else in the crowd, and not being able to know the certainty because of the uproar, he commanded him brought into the fortress. 

Act 21:35  But when he came on the stairs, it happened he was borne by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd. 

Act 21:36  For the multitude of the people followed, crying out, Take him away! 

Act 21:37  But being about to be brought into the fortress, Paul said to the chiliarch, Is it lawful for me to say a thing to you? And he said, Do you know to speak in Greek? 

Act 21:38  Then are you not the Egyptian who before these days caused a riot, and led four thousand men of the assassins out into the desert? 

Act 21:39  But Paul said, Indeed I am a man, a Jew of Tarsus, of Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I beg you, allow me to speak to the people. 

Act 21:40  And he allowing him, standing on the stairs, Paul signaled with his hand to the people. And much silence taking place, he spoke in the Hebrew dialect, saying, 

ACTS CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

Verses 1-6: Various travels. They end up in Tyre. After several days they pray together and depart.

1. Was the Spirit telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem? Yes/No The directive to Paul was to go to Jerusalem. The Spirit was likely informing his disciples that was would suffer if he goes to Jerusalem. With that information, the disciples would not want Paul to go.

2. Describe the Christian relationship from verse 5. Love. The members follow Paul out of the city. It included entire families. Before separating, they prayed. Prayer, speaking together with God is a beautiful, intimate bond that is immeasurable.

Verses 7-14: Paul heads to Caesarea, to the house of Philip. A certain prophet comes and prophecies that Paul will be made a prisoner if he goes to Jerusalem. With that information, his friends beg Paul not to go. Paul convinces them that it is God's will that he go, and they become silent. 

3. Compare verses 12-14. Sometimes, our Christian walk is uncomfortable, hurtful (by others), or amy even prove an existential threat. This example was proven over and over again by the first century Christians.

Additional: Be ready to discuss the conflicting spiritual messages Paul is receiving about Jerusalem. See #3. Nobody of Jesus wants evil to befall the brethren. Our first inclination is to protect and extinguish evil. It is natural to feel this way. Our God is just. Even some of those perceived as evil can be reached through the Gospel.

Be ready to discuss the title Philip the “evangelist.” - G2099 εὐαγγελιστής euaggelistēs yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace' From G2097; a preacher of the gospel: - evangelist.

Philip’s daughters had the gift to prophecy. Look up the word prophecy in this context. What is the significance of this? G4395 προφητεύω prophēteuō prof-ate-yoo'-o From G4396; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office: - prophesy
This word is used interchangeably for those who would prophecy/teach/preach. It depends on the context. What is important to see is that women are not "second class" subjects in God's kingdom. Paul's instruction for women to stay silent in the assembly while the preacher is delivering the word does not relegate them to "menial" tasks within the kingdom. 

Verses 15-26:  Paul comes to Jerusalem. He is greeted by the brothers. Paul recaps the teaching of the Gentiles. Paul is warned that rumors accuse him of telling Jews to do away with Moses' law. He is encouraged to prove his dedication to the law. He is to help four men who have finished their vows of Nazarite service. Paul is to pay for their sacrifices and go through the "cleansing" period with them. 

4. What did the elders fear? Consider the Jewish beginnings and later infusion of Gentiles. See the summary above.

   a. What was their plan? See above summary. These actions were to prove his faithfulness to the old law to those who believed the lies about him. 

   a. How did the church deal with differences of opinion? The stronger faith yielded to the weaker. Not in doctrine, but as a courtesy to their weaker conscience. Paul is being maligned and lied about. The best course of action was to demonstrate that he did not practice what they said. 

   b. Does Paul ever condemn keeping the old law? No

Verses 27-40: Paul goes to the temple. Jews from Asia recognize him and stir up a mob against him. They drag him outside and begin to beat him. A Roman chiliarc brings soldiers and rescues him. Paul takes he opportunity to preach.

6. Who were these men who stirred up trouble against Paul? Jews from Asia. These were the same from North Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe that constantly followed Paul and mistreated him,

a.      How successful were they? As usual, it doesn't take much to create a mob.

b.      What did they want to do to Paul? They want to kill him. 

7. Describe the scene once the Roman soldiers arrived? Order and quiet. Paul again leverages his citizenship to gain an upper hand.