Day 336, 2nd December Bible Commentary With Dr Oluwatoyin Ojo From the Book of 2nd Corinthians And Acts.
PAUL ARRESTED
ACTS 20:13-38
BE ON YOUR GUARDS:
As Paul sailed to Jerusalem he stooped at Miletus, and from there “sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church” (v.17). He encouraged them, reminding them how for three (3) years he was zealous, humble and endured persecutions when he lived among them and he challenged them as overseers to be diligent and guard against deception and heresy. It was an emotional time as Paul reveals they would never see him again {(v.37) 25-38}.
- “I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardship are facing me.” v.23; However, Paul just wants “to finish his race and complete the task the Lord Jesus gave him to testify of the good news of God’s grace” v.24
- v.36-37 — “When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.“
Leading homes/fellowship/church or even a friendship it is important to ensure those you influence or could influence are not to posh or too hurt.
ACT 21:1-36
EVENTS ON HIS WAY TO JERUSALEM
Paul had many stopovers on his way to Jerusalem, he met with some families, and disciples and he stayed with them. There were prophecies prophecies as the Holy Spirit had them refrain Paul from going to Jerusalem.
MILETUS —> KOS—> RHODES—> PATARA—> PHOENICIA —>SOUTH OF CYPRUS —> SYRIA —> TYRE
Stopover at TYRE; with some disciples for 7days “Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.” v.4-5
- As a 21st Century believer do you pray in public? Before eating at a restaurant for example? After meeting up with a friend do you pray about the issues you chatted on. Or that will just be too awkward❓Perhaps too old fashioned and embarrassing?
From TYRE —> PTOLEMAIS
Stopover in Ptolemais
“we continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day and left the next day” v.7-8a
From PTOLEMAIS —> CAESAREA
Stopover @ Cacesarea stayed seven days at Evangelist Philip’s house, he had four single daughters who were prophets (see v.7-8).
v.9-11 — While he was there a prophet also came at the time from Judea; “he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “the Holy Spirit says ‘in this way the Jewish leader in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles’”
The prophecy did not dissuade Paul, neither did the plea of the brethren.
Paul’s reply was; “ Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am not only ready to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” v.13.
PAUL WAS WELCOME BY THE BODY OF CHRIST IN JERUSALEM BUT HE WAS ARRESTED: ( v.15-26)
Because members of the general public mischievously alleged he has been “Teaching all the Jews who lived among the Gentiles to: turn away from Moses, disregard circumcision and their customs” (v.21, also see 28)
- “When the seven days when nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him” v.27 (Read v.27-28).
He was arrested by the mop and beaten. ( v.27-38). He would be killed but the men of the force and their commander intervened.
The commander had him bound with two chains and taken to the Barracks. (v.33-34).
“When Paul reached the steps, the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!” {v.35-36}.
NIGHT:
Acts 20:23
“I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me”
If you were in Paul’s shoes, what will be your decision?
Compelled, yet been warned by the Holy Spirit! A dilemma.
©️ 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Dr Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo.
Warmth
Toyin
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