Holy Spirit Speaks
Acts 21:1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
Acts 21:2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
Acts 21:3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
Acts 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
It was in Tyre that Herod was called a god and God sent an angel to strike him dead for he gave not glory to God. As a result of this sudden judgement, many believed the word of God. No other mention was made of evangelizing Tyre.
Acts 12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Acts 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Acts 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
At Tyre, the disciples warned Paul in the Spirit to not go to Jerusalem. It was a revelation through God's Spirit that danger was ahead. Sometimes we interpret God's warning through our desire for comfort and peace. Paul had a greater vision. Paul had heard the same spitritual message, but was not afraid to go on, he was determined to finish his course.
How many of us have such determination? We must go beyond our comfort zone by faith to accomplish God's work, sometimes with persecutions.
Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 21:5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
To walk with a visitor to their place of departure was traditional hospitality. I still see my folks standing at the porch waving good-bye as we would leave them in our car following a visit. Now they are with Jesus awaiting my homecoming. To kneel in prayer with Paul was the appropriate Christian response. We often pray for journey mercies to those who are traveling. I know that angels have kept me from serious accidents.
Acts 21:6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
Acts 21:7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.
Again they were greeted by Christian Brethren. We also have Christian family in most every city. We are not alone in God's family. I remember stopping in a church in Arizona on a trip. They were teaching about evangelizing, as in the church I was attending, they taught, but no one was doing anything. I said "Why don't you just go out?" This was not received well at all, so I was quiet. Many churches do not want to witness, "what if I fail?" You have already failed if you do nothing. My home church is very active in missionary outreach. We must put others needs above our feelings.
Acts 21:8 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.
Philip was one of the 7 chosen "deacons."
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Acts 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
Remember Peter's proclaiming that the prophet Joel's prophecy had been fulfilled with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Look at all the ways that God can speak to us through His Spirit.
Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Three ways that God speaks through his spirit are listed; prophecy, visions and dreams. Of course he speaks through the word, but it is the Spirit that shows you all things.
Prophecy is a word from God, usually foretelling something in the future.
Visions are directions given by God to fulfill His purpose. We often must sacrifice to fulfill the vision.
Dreams are not all from God. Those that are from God are messages for us, often warnings.
Certain people hear God's voice, Moses for example.
Num 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
Acts 21:10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
He had prophecied earlier of the famine that would come to Jerusalem.
Acts 11:27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
Acts 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Acts 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
Acts 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle (belt), and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
A dramatic illustration by Agabus warning Paul of danger ahead. Note, that the 4 daughters of Philip had no prophetic message for Paul. Perhaps it was best coming from a man.
Acts 21:12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Luke says we and others besought him not to go to Jerusalem. Remember Luke is writing the story, he was with Paul, though never mentioned by name.
Acts 21:13 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.
Paul hears their human hearts and their concern, but like Jesus he had a purpose in going. We must remember that our Lord Jesus also had to fulfill his purpose and put behind him the concern of men.
Jesus stated his mission from his Father:
Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Peter, his disciple wishes to prevent this from happening.
Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Jesus was to serve God, not the desires of man.
Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
From all the warnings Paul received, one might refer to proverbs;
Prov 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Paul unlike most of us, was not concerned for his safety, but rather to do God's ministry which included sufferings. Do we look for sufferings to make us more spiritual? No, the Lord even asked his father if there was another way, yet the Father's will always was obeyed.
Mat 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Paul must have known that even going into danger he was accomplishing God's will for him. In ther end, we are accountable to God. No one else can decide for us what we should do, it is to be decided within our hearts by the Spirit of God within.
Uproar in Jerusalem
Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
Paul would not be persuaded to stay away from Jerusalem, although so many heard from the holy ghost and warned him. Paul had known hardships, if he were afraid of them, he could not fulfill his ministry. We could use some of Paul's passion for ministry. In part it comes from this word from God:
2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 21:15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
As Jesus set his head towards Jerusalem, so did Paul, even knowing that troubles would find him.
Acts 21:16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Mnason was an early disciple of the Lord from Cypress, they would lodge together in his home in Jerusalem.
1 Pet 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Pet 4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Acts 21:17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
They were to bring the offerings to the church at Jerusalem. They were greeted by the Christian brothers with glad hearts and not because of the offering. Non Christians think that all we care about is money and greed. Not so, we love one another as Christ has loved us.
Acts 21:18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
James was the Bishop of the church in Jerusalem. This being the center of Jewish culture, he ministered mostly to saved Jews. He was the half brother to Jesus and the author of the book of James, which stressed works with grace. The Jews were very much aware of works and traditions.
Acts 21:19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
Paul spoke in detail on how he had evangelized all of Asia and made converts on every journey. He stressed that it was grace not the law that saves. This made him not so well received by the law keeping Jews.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
They rejoiced at the success of Paul with the Gentiles, but were a bit concerned about his message of grace and not the law. They were people of tradition and the law. They were holding on to things that were no longer required, the ceremonial laws. How slow people give up their ways. Were they not taught the it is grace through faith in Jesus?
Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
Acts 21:22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
They were concerned because they had heard false reports, probably from the Judaizers who tried to put the Gentiles under the laws and customs of Moses, that Paul was trying to change the customs of the Jews. What will he say to the crowds that would assemble? Indeed he had taught to the Gentiles that it is circumcision of the heart. Let the Jew keep the old traditions, but let the Christian be free of all such laws.
Acts 21:23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
Acts 21:24 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.
This was something Paul was familiar with, for it was he or Aquila who had earlier shaved the head because of a vow.
Acts 18:18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
James wishes to appease the Jews with this act. Sometimes we come up with ideas when we should listen to God. Man's ideas do not solve spiritual problems. What really was the problem was a spirit of religion opposing God's spirit. It was always the religious Jews or religious Christians, who are following traditions that resist the moving of God's spirit and the new wine of the word's of Jesus. Jesus spoke of this;
Mat 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
The traditions were a shadow of the New Testament in the blood of Jesus. They might continue as remembrances, but the new Covenant replaces the old. New wine will not fit in the old vessels.
Many do not want to embrace the grace of God through Jesus, because they feel they must give up something. For the sinner it is the "fun" of sin. For the Jew it was a form of Godliness a heavy yoke that few could bear.
In Antioch Paul confronted the Jews who wished to impose the Mosaic laws on the Gentiles. They then went to Jerusalem to the counsel and decided that this was not for the Gentiles.
Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
This is part of the Apostolic creed in Acts 15:19,20
These were man made rules concerning the Gentiles and the law. These were things to help the Gentiles not be so offensive to the Jewish Christians. Peter in trying to live by the rules that James listed, was openly rebuked by Paul. For in trying to appease the Jewish customs he was not consistent with the revelation of God for the salvation by grace.
Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
The real issue was to not compel the Gentiles to follow the traditions of the Jews, it wasn't about the Jews not keeping their traditions. That was part of their covenant as a chosen people to their God, but not for the Gentiles.
We can't please everyone. We do not want to offend, but in the final count, it is God's truth that must be kept. Our traditions will not save us nor will our works. Jesus, only Jesus is our hope and the one to trust in. Jesus explains this;
Mat 15:10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Mat 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Acts 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
Paul heeded the advice of a man after refusing the advice of others from God, to not come to Jerusalem. He was always willing to bring the gospel, perhaps this will help.
1 Cor 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1 Cor 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
Paul did this to appease the Jews and there customs. Can you see how an offering being made was not consistent with the truth of the final sacrifice that was through Jesus?
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Acts 21:27 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,
Acts 21:28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
Acts 21:29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
Here we go again. The thorns in the flesh, the Jews that hounded Paul in Asia, now bark at him in Jerusalem. Accusations based on lies, envy and jealousy. They had their old way and resisted the way of the Lord. They imagined that Paul had defiled the inner courts of the temple with Gentles.
Had they not heard the gospel of grace?
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Paul knew their hearts, for he had once been as they, persecuting the true followers of Jesus.
Acts 26:11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
Acts 21:30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
Paul was thrown out of the temple by an angry mob. The religious were persecuting him, but God was for him as he remembered "my grace is sufficient."
Acts 21:31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
There was a Jewish law that any non Jew entering into the inner courts of the Temple would be subject to immediate stoning.
The Roman soldiers were notified of the uprising, they were to keep the peace.
Acts 21:32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
Laws are to restrain evil. Here those claiming to keep the law, once again were acting as thugs and murderers. The police force stopped the violence, they were beating Paul.
Acts 21:33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. Bound to a soldier on each side, fulfilling the prophecy of Agabus in Acts 21:11; ..."So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles." They would learn of who this man is, later on.
Acts 21:34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
Confusion again, the work of satan in a foolish and envious people.
Acts 21:35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
Acts 21:36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
Paul climbing or being carried up the stairs to the Roman garrison in the castle of Antonia, in Roman custody was spared from the angry mob. He would have his say. Under Roman guard he would yet preach the gospel to a new group of people. How often events get out of hand. What could have been rejoicing with brethren turned into accusations and confusion. We should never be apart of an out of control mob, we have a different spirit. Mob confusion and hate is never of God, it is of the god of hate. Paul was warned, it happened as the Holy Spirit warned, but still Jesus' words ring true, in his heart "my grace is sufficient for you." Paul would bring the gospel to all men, even if bound, for he was a bond servant of the Lord Jesus Christ and would serve him in any place.
Acts 21:37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
Sometimes we need to speak. It is needed to clarify anothers misconception of who we are and where we are coming from. Jesus spoke of making peace with your adversary.
Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Mat 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
No, he was not who the captain thought he was, he spoke Greek as the captain. Paul was educated, speaking several languages.
Acts 21:38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
Art not thou that Egyptian - Who came into Judea when Felix had been some years governor there! Calling himself a prophet, he drew much people after him; and having brought them through the wilderness, led them to Mount Olivet, promising that the walls of the city should fall down before them. But Felix marching out of Jerusalem against him, his followers quickly dispersed, many of whom were taken or slain; but he himself made his escape. (Wesley)
Paul had the guilt of this Egyptian on him until he spoke the truth. Jesus spoke the truth and willingly took the sins of all the world upon himself, so that we through him might be forgiven.
Acts 21:39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
I am a Jew, let me speak as a Jew to the Jews who accuse me.
Acts 21:40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
He spoke in the language all could understand. He did not speak in an unknown tongue or in his prayer language. The message was important and had to be heard, yet he spoke by the direction of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
Mat 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Mat 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mat 10:20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Gary
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