Acts 21:1-14

(Acts 21:1-14)

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:  And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. 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. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 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. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, 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. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.  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.

Paul knew that the dangers of bondage and death were lurking in Jerusalem, but nevertheless Paul was crawling up to Jerusalem: ``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. It was Paul's heart that he would accept even the bondage and death if it was for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul was a threat to those who believed in Jesus with bonds and death. He, then, is now voluntarily walking the path of binding and death for the name of Jesus whom he persecuted. The Lord guides those who understand the will of the Lord and obey and do the word of the Lord without turning left or right. The Lord also leads the life of such a person into a blessed life so that they can participate in His work. If human successes and failures are used as tools to express the will of the Lord, that person can be a life worthy of the will of the Lord. But today the criteria for success and failure are too worldly.

In 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. 』They advised not to go to Jerusalem, but Paul was not encouraged. When Paul did not receive their recommendation, verse 14 says, "The will of the Lord be done." This phrase is also found in the Lord's Prayer: "And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. 』

Jesus prayed that the sweat would become drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. “If it is acceptable, let this cup pass from me.” The soul of Jesus could not accept the will of the Father. The Father's will is that the Son of Man came to die, and so is the soul of the flesh. But he said, "I want to be done according to my father's will, not my will." It is the same as saying, "I want to be according to the will of the Lord" because Paul is not encouraged.

Why did the church recommend Paul not to go to Jerusalem? And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, 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. So, people told me not to go to Jerusalem.

Strictly speaking, the Holy Spirit did not speak directly, but a prophet named Agabo expressed it indirectly as spoken by the Holy Spirit. Even today, many people have experienced the Holy Spirit, and we see them saying, "Do this, do that." One of the prophets of Agabo said, "I will hand it over to the hands of the Gentiles," but did not say "Do not go," but the church people told me not to go. The thinking of the church people and Paul's are different. It is divided into righteousness and love.

There was a contention between Paul and Barnabas in an intense quarrel. The Roman name is Mark and in Hebrew, because Johanan returned to Jerusalem during the ministry of Antioch. However, a man named Silas, who was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch for a short time, says, "I will not return" even after the ministry (explaining the problem of circumcision). Of course, Paul chose Silas. When Barnabas said, "I will bring Mark back and join me in the ministry," Barnabas said that the two had a serious quarrel. It was divided into righteousness and love. A person chooses between the words righteousness and love.

On the way to Jerusalem, Paul passed the Phoenician, looking at Cubro, leaving it on his left, sailing to Syria and landing at Tire.In 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. 』Paul came from Tire to Caesarea Philippi in a Mediterranean boat and read the story of the Philippian house. But before that, the disciples in Tire told Paul, "Do not enter Jerusalem," under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

The disciples thought, "There must be something to go to Jerusalem" and told them not to go. Given that there are so many prophecy gifts, most of what we say is spoken through our own spirit. That's why the Bible says, "Do not believe in all spirits."

In Acts 21:5-6, "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. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. 』 Many churches say, "Why did Paul behave like that, even though he spoke with the Holy Spirit, but Paul finally goes to Jerusalem. Or did the Holy Spirit fail to break Paul's resolution?” I sometimes hear something like this. Before this happened, Paul already knew he was going to die.

In Acts 20:22, "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:" Paul is bound by the spirit and goes to Jerusalem. It is the elders of the church in Ephesus who are talking about this. Paul was thinking, "If I go to Jerusalem, it will be the last time." That's why Paul calls the elders to Miledo and speaks. The church in Ephesus has something to say.

Paul said in Acts 20:23, “Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. Paul said, "I go to Jerusalem with my spirit, but whenever I move the city, the Holy Spirit speaks to me." He says, "When I go to Jerusalem, bonds and tribulation await me." Is it going to Jerusalem? Is it not to go? The Holy Spirit does not tell you to go, not to go. He said, however, that bonds and tribulation await. By the way, Paul keeps going. Paul tells us that he did not go to Jerusalem by the Holy Spirit, but that he was bound by his spirit.

Why was Paul bound by his spirit? According to Paul's conversion record, Paul becomes blind. After three days, the Holy Spirit said to Ananias, "Go to Saul and baptize him." When Ananias told God, "He was the one who persecuted Stephen at times," and the Holy Spirit said, "In three days I have already told you that I will suffer tribulation and suffering for my name." Jesus Himself showed Paul. Paul has not forgotten these words all his life since. To live according to the body and to the Holy Spirit is not to listen to and act on the words of prophecy.

In Acts 20:24-25, 『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. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Paul did not act at that time according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but lived and acted according to the mission Jesus Himself said.

So, he lived a life of spirit, not flesh. Today, we can see how many people say they live by the Spirit's inspiration, but don't actually meet the will of the Lord. Those who live according to the mission of the Lord will truly know the will of the Lord.