The Acts of the Apostles

1. Acts 21:1-7 - The Trip to Tyre/Ptolemais + Warning Tyre was in ancient Phoenicia, then part of the Roman province of Syria. When we had departed from them – see the route above. The Acts of the Apostles “Acts 21:1-26 `Paul at Tyre and Caesarea” 1 October 19, 2014 Bob Eckel

2. departed – torn The Great Escape? Notice ‘we’ – Luke was still with Paul et al and they sailed. The ship was to unload its cargo at Tyre; were they stowaways? Constable - “Sea journeys in the ancient world depended on finding shipping available, and accepting delays arising from loading and unloading.” Paul is advised not to go to Jerusalem through the Spirit by the disciples he found at Tyre. Who’s being led through the Spirit, the disciples or Paul? What was the motive and was this a contradiction to Acts 20:22, and if so is this a battle between the Holy Sprit and the human spirit? Was he being disobedient to God? SeeActs 9:16, 19:21, 20:22-24, 21:14, 23:1,11 And after 7 days, we departed and went on our way; and they The Acts of the Apostles “Acts 21:1-26 `Paul at Tyre and Caesarea” 2 October 19, 2014 Bob Eckel

3. all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed (v. 5). Acts 21:8-16 – To Jerusalem via Caesarea + Warning In Caesarea (capital of the province of Judea) they entered the house of Philip the evangelist ….who had 4 virgin daughters who prophesied. Philip is one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5). What relevance is there in mentioning these 4 daughters (Acts 2:17,Joel 2:28?). Women also prophesized in the OT – Judges 4:4; II Kings 22:14 Then a prophet named Agabus from Judea comes on the scene. Agabus had previously come from Jerusalem to Antioch to foretell the famine of AD 46 (Acts 11:26-28). ….he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” (v.11). The Acts of the Apostles “Acts 21:1-26 `Paul at Tyre and Caesarea” 3 October 19, 2014 Bob Eckel

4. A recollection of the past – Isaiah 20:2; Jerem 13:1; Ezek 5:1 Also, any reminders here regarding our Lord and Savior? Mark 9:31, 10:33; John 21:18 Further advice given by Luke and the others to Paul, and even with tears (v.13), not go up to Jerusalem. Paul responds - “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Accepting this as the will of the Lord even unto death, the trip to Jerusalem ensues, and Luke is still present. And Mnason of Cyprus is with them, a Hellenistic Jewish believer who was one of the earliest converts to Christianity, with whom they should lodge. Acts 21:17-26 – Paul, James, the Vow, the Temple The day after Paul, Luke et al arrive, they meet with James and the elders, and Paul shared with them his missionary journeys. Which James? The Acts of the Apostles “Acts 21:1-26 `Paul at Tyre and Caesarea” 4 October 19, 2014 Bob Eckel

5. The Lord’s half brother, leader of the Jerusalem church – Acts 12:17, 15:13. He mentions nothing about the monetary gift that likely accompanied Paul (Rom. 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-4) but stressed the spread of the gospel. He also states that the Gentiles who believe are confused by the Jewish believers who are all zealous for the law but that Paul teaches all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs (v.21). What do you think was Paul’s true position on this issue? Paul thereupon decides to comply with James’ advice to be purified with the four men who had taken the Nazarite vow (Num 6:1-7) despite their new-founded belief. Shaving their heads and paying their expenses - Num 6:13-21. Informing everyone that you walk orderly and keep the law. What happened to Paul’s position of the blotting out of ordinances (Col 2:14-17)? You can understand the confusion. This action of Paul’s was entirely voluntary! He then reminds Paul that they had written and stated to the Gentile believers that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.” (v.25). The Acts of the Apostles “Acts 21:1-26 `Paul at Tyre and Caesarea” 5 October 19, 2014 Bob Eckel

6. This was a statement of clarification for the Gentilesconsistent with the take-home message from the Jerusalem Council - Acts 15:20,29. Paul then is purified with the four men and enters the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them. Did Paul accomplish what he wanted? You need to wait until next week!!!! The Acts of the Apostles “Acts 21:1-26 `Paul at Tyre and Caesarea” 6 October 19, 2014 Bob Eckel