CHILDREN STS LESSON 9 PAUL TAKES A JEWISH VOW, ACTS 21

Acts 21:1-40

Apostle Paul, after he became a friend of Jesus, committed his life to the special assignment of preaching the gospel. He went with other Christians from town to town and city to city preaching the gospel. They also revisited the places where they had preached so as to strengthen those that had been converted. Now the apostle was set to go to Jerusalem (Acts 20:22). As he journeyed, he stopped over at specic places where he had fellowship with the brethren. At last, he got to Jerusalem and the apostles with the whole church welcomed him. They were happy, hearing all that the Lord had used Paul to do in Gentile nations.

However, he was advised to take a Jewish vow in order to show obedience to the law of Moses. Not only that, the cleansing that goes with the vow will ensure that the Jews will have no reason to accuse Paul of wrongdoing. This action notwithstanding, the wicked people still gathered together to arrest Paul. This arrest led him to stand trial before the Jewish councils and Roman kings. In all these, Paul was not afraid because God was with him. He had already received the assurance of divine help.

Apostle Paul’s determination and willingness to suffer for the gospel’s sake serves as encouragement to friends of Jesus today. Do not fear; make up your mind to do the will of God at all times. He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

1. PAUL’S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM:

Acts 21:1-17; 19:21; 20:16

Paul the apostle was a man of determination, purpose, commitment and courage. When directed by the Spirit of God to do something, nothing discouraged him from doing it (Acts 19:21). During this period, he was getting to the end of his missionary journeys. Paul and his company left Asia and sailed by sea to Ephesus because he had determined to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. They stopped along the way to encourage the brethren.

In every city, the Holy Spirit told him that sufferings and imprisonment awaited him at Jerusalem. Paul was not afraid to suffer for Christ. His desire was to spread the gospel of the grace of God to all. Friends of Jesus are to learn from Paul’s example that they should never be discouraged when problems or persecutions come in the course of preaching the gospel.

When Paul and his company got to the city of Caesarea, they lodged in the house of Philip. Philip the evangelist was one of the seven people of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost who were appointed to serve food. He was mightily used of God to preach the gospel in many places.

More importantly was that he trained his children in the way of the Lord. His four daughters were virgins (undeled) and had the gift of prophecy. Are you like the daughters of Philip? Sinful boys and girls must surrender their lives to Christ today while friends of Jesus should keep themselves holy, pure and continue to serve the Lord.

Apostle Paul eventually got to Jerusalem despite all the appeals from brethren to make him change his mind. He was determined to preach to everyone not minding the suffering that awaited him. Children of God must not be discouraged. They must continue to preach the gospel. Jesus has told us that we shall suffer persecution. However, He gave us the assurance that we shall overcome.

2. PAUL ARRIVES JERUSALEM AND TAKES A JEWISH VOW:

Acts 21:17-26

The believers at Jerusalem were eagerly expecting Paul because they wanted to hear from him personally about the success of the gospel work and the enlargement of Christ’s kingdom among the Gentiles. When they arrived Jerusalem, Paul and those that accompanied him were joyfully received and praised. The following day at a meeting with the elders of the church, Paul gladly reported all that God had done through him among the Gentiles.

The whole church rejoiced and praised God for His wonderful work of salvation in all the nations of the world. However, there were some misconceptions among the early

Church concerning the works of Paul among the Gentiles. The believers at the time of Pentecost were one hundred and twenty. At this time, the church had grown and become a great multitude with thousands of Jewish believers among them. These Jewish converts, according to the elders, still loved to keep the law of Moses and they misunderstood Paul because of some false accusations against him. They accused Paul of not keeping the law of Moses. Because of this, the elders persuaded Paul to take the Jewish vow. They thought it would convince everyone that the report was false and that Paul being a Jew, walked orderly and kept the law.

Paul accepted to take a Jewish vow because: (a) he wanted to please the Lord in all things. (b) he did not want his actions to make others fall. (c) he knew that keeping the law will not diminish his faith in Christ. (d) he wanted to show an example of obedience to leadership. You must abstain from whatever you do that will make others to offend God. The vow Paul took was about ceremonial cleansing. God was with him because he did all things in good conscience. God takes vows seriously and expects us to keep our vows to Him and other people. As friends of Jesus, the vow we make may not be a Nazarite vow as we have in the law of Moses. We can make our vows to reect the following:

1. Love the Lord with all our hearts and mind and be separated unto Him.
2. Serve God, honour and obey Him always.
3. Preach the love of Jesus to sinners. d. Live a holy and righteous life.
4. Pay tithes and offerings.
5. Follow Jesus till the end no matter what happens.

Sinful children are to come into a covenant relationship with Jesus by repenting and turning away from their sins. Make your vows to the Lord and also keep it.

3. PAUL’S ARREST AND TRIAL:

Acts 21:27-40

While performing his vow as prescribed by the law, the religious rulers came round to falsely accuse Paul of polluting their temple. They incited the people and caused a riot. These wicked people were determined to kill Paul and stop the preaching of the gospel. God in His love and mercy made the Roman rulers to receive information about the uproar. They sent soldiers to rescue Paul. God is our strength and refuge; He will always send help to us in time of need. There are important lessons for us to learn here:

1. God is aware of everything that is happening in the life of His servant. It has

already been revealed to Paul through some prophets that he will face

persecution in Jerusalem. This revelation prepared him for the task.

1. No one can take the life of a faithful servant of God. His promise of protection

is sure, we have nothing to fear. Only make sure that you are living a life

leasing unto God.

iii. No power on earth can stop the preaching of the gospel. Many people who

tried it regretted their actions. The gospel will outlive all those who oppose it.

Therefore, you must not be afraid to preach the gospel.

Apostle Paul was convinced that everyone needs salvation, even those who wanted to kill him. That was why he asked for permission to speak to them after his arrest. Paul surrendered his life completely to the preaching of the gospel, he was concerned about the salvation of souls. He worked tirelessly until the end of his life. Now he is in heaven enjoying his reward. It is now your turn; you must not allow threats, persecution or opposition from friends and relatives to hinder you from preaching the gospel. As you preach the gospel and win souls for the Lord, heaven will be your reward at the end.

QUESTIONS:

1. What was the main assignment of Apostle Paul?
2. Where was the apostle heading to when he was warned of the sufferings that

awaited him?

3. Did Apostle Paul allow the warning to stop his journey?
4. State three reasons Paul took a Jewish vow when he got to Jerusalem.
5. Give two examples of vows that a friend of Jesus can make to God.

MEMORY VERSE: “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” (Acts 21:23,24).

LESSON: God desires that friends of Jesus keep to their vows and go on preaching the gospel even in times of difficulties.

THOUGHT: I will make my vow to the Lord and keep it.

ACTIVITY: Prayer (i) for courage to preach the gospel everywhere and at all times; (ii) for missionaries who are facing difficult situations; (iii) for nations where the preaching of the gospel is not allowed.

HOMEWORK: Children are to go out during the week and preach the gospel

to at least two people.

CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 89 – O JESUS, I HAVE PROMISED

CHORUSES: (1) I have decided to follow Jesus. (2) The Lord knows the way through the wilderness. (3) Give me grace to follow.

BIBLE WORD SEARCH

Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:

1. Opposition 2. Persecution 3. Vow4. Gentiles 5. Purication.