ADULT LESSON 217 PAUL TAKES A JEWISH VOW , ACTS 21
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done” (Acts 21:13,14).
TEXT: Acts 21:1-40
Apostle Paul and his company separated from the Ephesian brethren to continue their journey to Jerusalem. This was with much pain and difficulty as we see the free expression of love and concern for the beloved apostle, who had served them with much love and sacrifice, ministering to them with tears amidst trials. They were heartbroken at the thought of not seeing his face again. Paul with his company continued his journey, passing through Coos, Rhodes, Patara, Phoenicia and set forth at Cyprus before landing at Tyre. “And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem” (Acts 21:4).
Paul viewed the mission to Jerusalem in the light of God’s revealed will for his life. He was fully prepared to face the risk associated with the journey as he was determined to fulfil the mission he was called for. Concerned over the safety of the trip, the brethren at Tyre dissuaded him from going. But Paul would not give in to such persuasions. The gospel must be preached amidst tribulations, distresses, persecutions, famines, peril and sword.
However, Paul succumbed to an unscriptural counsel to submit to a vow and purification which were unnecessary, seeing he had consistently advocated the revelation of the new covenant, which abolishes all other sacrifices except Christ’s (Hebrews 10:14,18).
- VOYAGE TO JERUSALEM AND THE VOICE OF THE PROPHETS (Acts 21:1-17; 11:27,28; 2 Corinthians 6:3-5; Job 32:7; 2 Timothy 4:5-7)
As the brethren could not dissuade Paul from his trip, they gathered together to pray with him. This act exhibited by them is commendable and instructive at this point in Paul’s ministry. We recall that he had prayed with the elders of Ephesus (Acts 20:36) before leaving them. Here, he prayed with the disciples at Tyre. This underscores the priority and power of corporate prayers especially when we are on evangelistic outreaches and special assignments. The church must rise and lift up holy hands in sincere and heartfelt prayers like the early apostles who “…continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (Acts 1:14). In unity, believers must see prayer as the only potent force to confront the devil and rescue souls from satanic holds. Spiritual warfare is, therefore, indispensable for every soul-winner especially because we have the mandate to Disciple A Whole Nation (DAWN).
“And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him” (Acts 21:8). On arrival at Caesarea, Paul and his company abode with Philip the evangelist who was one of those sent forth as itinerant preachers, and one of the seven selected as deacons (Acts 6:5). It is ironical that Philip, in whose house Paul now lodged, was initially driven out of his house by Paul’s persecution (Acts 8:1,5). Believers should emulate the exemplary lifestyle of Philip. Former injustice and injuries should be forgiven and forgotten upon true repentance and we should receive such into our warm embrace whom Christ has taken into His bosom.
Philip demonstrated great humility and meekness. First, he faithfully served as deacon, became an evangelist to the Samaritans and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Second, he demonstrated forgiveness of all offences committed against him by Paul in his days of persecution. Third, he maintained a healthy balance between his spiritual and marital life as he was able to raise virtuous daughters who became prophetesses in the church (Acts 21:9). Fourth, he exhibited Christian hospitality as his house was a ready lodging place for saints and strangers (1 Peter 4:9; Acts 21:8).
Agabus was a prophet who came to Caesarea from Judea with an express message from the Holy Spirit for Paul. He used the sign after the manner of the old prophets who often prophesied with symbols and expressions to drive home their message. Isaiah went barefooted to show what the people of Israel should meet under the king of Assyria (Isaiah 20:2). Ezekiel was to pack up his stuff and remove to signify the people’s removal into captivity (Ezekiel 12:1-7), etc. In like manner, Agabus took Paul’s girdle and bound his own hands and feet signifying what would happen to him at Jerusalem. God always prepares His children in advance for any condition they are to pass through in life. Being forewarned made Paul to be forearmed as he proceeded to Jerusalem despite the genuine concern and emotions shown by the other brethren.
“Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). His mind was fixed on going to Jerusalem. Tears may be inevitable when parting with those we love, but such expressions ought not to be allowed to interfere with the convictions of duty in our minds. We do not need to discourage and distract others from their duty posts. Wisdom demands that we commit them to the Lord in prayers and lend them all necessary support within our power. “And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done” (Acts 21:14).
Paul knew that his life could only be fruitful and fulfilled when he pleased his Master. Of course, no one enjoys pain, but a faithful disciple will want to please God in every situation. Our desire to please Him should overshadow our desire to avoid hardship and suffering. When we really want to do God’s will, we must accept all that comes with it. It is only then that we can rightly say, “the will of the Lord be done”.
Paul finally arrived at Jerusalem with some disciples from Caesarea who brought him to the house of an old disciple named Mnason of Cyprus and was gladly received by the brethren. He chose to abide with an old disciple of Christ because such a prudent and experienced man will no doubt contribute positively towards the success of his ministry at Jerusalem. Paul chose a path unpopular to men, motivated only by his faith in the promises of God. No matter how demanding, every child of God is expected to take the message of hope to the dying world. But this can only be achieved by daring and militant saints like Paul.
2.THE VOW THAT WAS NO LONGER NECESSARY (Acts 21:18-26; 1 Corinthians 3:16,17; Galatians 2:7; Psalms 66:6; 6:9-15; 7:1,51-60; 21:10,11; 22:17-29; Galatians 1:1-10; 1 Timothy 4:15,16)
Apostle Paul and his team were cordially received by the brethren upon their arrival in Jerusalem. “And the day following Paul went with us unto James and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them he declared particularly what God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry” (verses 18,19). His humble disposition showed forth in the respect he paid to James and the elders. He also spoke in humility of not what he had achieved among the Gentiles, but “what God wrought among the Gentiles”. The habit of ascribing all the glory to God is a pattern of the life of the apostle worthy of emulation. Writing to the church in Corinth and in an effort to cure their divisive attitude, he said, “I have planted, Appolos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planted any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6,7). In the same spirit, he attributed the effectiveness of the ministry of Apostle Peter and his to God (Galatians 2:8).
Paul played down the sufferings, persecutions and physical dangers he endured in the mission field in order not to draw unnecessary sympathy to himself. The apostle so ascribed all the glory to God that his audience “when they heard it, glorified the Lord” and not him.
“Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law” (verse 20). While the Lord was mighty in Paul toward the Gentiles, He equally wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision. Paul must, no doubt, have been as happy with the growth of the Jerusalem church as James and the elders were at the growth of the gospel among the Gentiles.
However, it is obvious that the leadership in the Jerusalem church had been negligent of teaching the Jews who were born-again that circumcision does not contribute to salvation; that keeping the Law of Moses and observing Jewish customs were no longer necessary. Else, they would not talk of the Jews that “they are zealous of the law”. They should have known that the ceremonial laws had been abolished when Christ shed His blood on the Cross once for all (Hebrews 10:9-12). The apostles themselves had written earlier denouncing Jewish Christians who insisted that the Gentiles should keep the law as a pre-condition for salvation (Acts 15:5,24). Being bold here to testify that the Jews were zealous of the law was a contradiction because the dispensation of the gospel had abolished Old Testament rites.
The leaders in Jerusalem asked Paul to demonstrate his reverence for Jewish laws and customs by identifying with four men who were under a Nazarite vow, paying their sacrifice expenses and being with them in the temple during their purification rites. “Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law” (verses 23,24). This suggestion or counsel from Apostle James and the elders in Jerusalem, no doubt, run contrary to the demands of the new covenant and revelation of the gospel which Paul had been ordained to preach (Galatians 1:12; Hebrews 9:12,28; 10:10,19; 13:13; 1 John 1:7; Hebrews 10:19; Ephesians 2:14; Romans 6:10).
Considering the details of the counsel, it was an act of gross compromise for Paul to have consented to “purify” himself and accomplish “the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them” (verse 26). What manner of “purification” and “offering” did Paul need again apart from that which Christ offered with His own blood? Jesus is the final offering for everyone (Hebrews 7:27). Paul should have corrected this error in the Jerusalem church, not minding the consequences instead of submitting to an act that has been abolished in the New Testament.
“And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him” (verse 27). Compromise does not further the cause of the gospel. Despite Paul’s manifest compromise here, he was still caught in the web of the Jews’ anger and persecution. Preachers are not to be afraid of anyone, no matter their standing or status in the church or society when they declare the Word. Though Paul’s zeal for the salvation of the Jews was most fervent and his evangelistic zeal challenging, he should have resisted the temptation to deviate from the word of God. As believers, we should earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3) and turn available opportunities to reaching the lost for Christ.
3. VIOLENCE OF THE JEWS AGAINST PAUL (Acts 21:27-40; 2 Kings 22:24-27; Jeremiah 37:11-16; Acts 9:19-25; 16:16-24; 17:1-5,10-13; 18:12; 2 Corinthians 11:24-33; 2 Timothy 3:12)
The Jews who had returned to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem raised an unjustifiable attack against Apostle Paul. The manner with which they apprehended him and all he was made to go through is a pointer to the ease with which graceless bigots conspire to persecute the redeemed. The incident also shows that persecution, sometimes, could be unavoidable. Saints need not violate any moral or social law to incur the wrath of the unregenerate. All it requires is to dare to be different, declare one’s stand for Christ and uncompromisingly defend His word (John 15:18-21).
The charges against Paul were similar to that of Stephen in content and intent. Both were accused of blasphemy against the temple and the law. In addition, Paul was charged with teaching against the Jewish people and nation. In both instances, people were emotionally stirred up with the intention of killing the gospel ministers. The prosecution modes were also similar. They wanted judgment without justice. Without waiting for any judicial pronouncement on Stephen, they stoned him to death. Likewise here, the Jews did not take any recourse to a Jewish or Roman legal institution. Even when Lysias, the chief captain waded into the matter, they still demanded for execution without prosecution as they cried, “Away with him” (verse 36).
It is consoling that God always provides protection and timely intervention in times of travails of His people. In this instance, He intervened indirectly by stirring Lysias and his soldiers to serve as a lifeguard to bear Paul up from the rage of the mob. He frustrated the intention of the enemies of the gospel to kill him. Instead, the incident became a means to enable the apostle fulfil his divine mandate to bear the name of Christ “before the Gentiles and kings” (Acts 9:15; 26:19; Philippians 1:12,13). Christians should trust that God can use a seemingly bad situation to enhance the growth of His work, expand the resourcefulness of His ministers and transport them to higher spiritual levels.
Having been allowed to speak, Paul beckoned with his hand until there was silence and he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue (verse 40). Paul’s tact is as commendable as it is instructive. He spoke Greek to Lysias and Hebrew to the Jews. As many believers as have bilingual or multilingual competencies should use their privilege wisely in the course of their ministry.
As the passage closes, Paul proves to be a gospel ‘general’ indeed. Unperturbed by the battery, he defied all odds to speak to the people. Thus, he left a challenging legacy to believers in subsequent generations on how to face the continuing persecution against the Church.
Questions for review:
- What should be our attitude to the declaration of the gospel, amidst danger?
- Mention the Christian virtue believers learn from Paul’s account of his ministry to the Gentiles.
- What challenges can the contemporary believer receive from Paul’s experience in our text?
- Why was Paul determined to go to Jerusalem?
- How did Paul respond to the warning of the Spirit through the disciples at Tyre?
- What can believers learn from the life of Philip and his household?
- How can believers and ministers be assisted in doing God’s will?
