Note for 20250807

Acts

Twenty-One

Part 21 - Acts 21 - Arrested

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250807 - Acts - Part 21 - Acts 21 - Arrested

Acts 21:1-40 KJV

[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: [2] and finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. [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. [4] And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. [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. [6] And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. [7] And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. [8] 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. [9] And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. [10] And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus. [11] 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. [12] And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. [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. [14] And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. [15] And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. [16] There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. [17] And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. [18] And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. [19] And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. [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: [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. [22] What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. [23] Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; [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. [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. [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. [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, [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. [29] (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) [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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [35] And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. [36] For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. [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? [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? [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. [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,

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.21.1-40.KJV

Friends, we have learned so much in the Book of Acts, haven't we? And today, we read of Agabus, the prophet, again, together with that also of the four daughters of Philip that prophesied. When we spoke of this last time, we looked at the nature of the Spirit and learned more in Revelation 19:10.

What is it to testify of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of GOD and the Grace of GOD unto the Salvation in Jesus Christ, but the Good News of Salvation and redemption unto our Heavenly Father, through the forgiveness of sin. To put it in a simple way, that we are saved by what Jesus did on the cross. Of course, it runs much deeper than that, and there are levels of understanding it, but we are not called to understanding first, but faith. Remember, blessed are they who have not seen yet believed.

Today we see the arrest of Paul, and as you read, it was really more about protecting him from the mob of people. As you read, their upset was about his teaching about the law and more specifically about circumcision. Paul is arrested and bound just as Agabus the prophet revealed to him. Is that not part of the test of a prophet?

You know, my friends, so much of what we read in the Word only hits home when we start bringing it to our lives. What would your sentiment be if you are taken now, as Paul was then? Are you ready to die for the Gospel and the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ? Far too easy, we convince ourselves that we would.

Take Matthew 25:37-40, can we do that for the sake of Jesus's Name? Can we start with that?

Matthew 25:37-40 KJV

[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? [39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? [40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.25.37-40.KJV

It is easier to do something for the sake of your own soul, than to risk your life for the sake of another. Have you tested yourself to see the boundaries of where you might give up your faith? In truth, you have, though you may not have seen it as such at the time. Think of every answer you have given that stands in contrast to the Words of Jesus Christ. Maybe you say, there is no hell or Satan; that is in contradiction of Christ. The same is true if you say the Kingdom of GOD is not near, or that GOD is not a Spirit. But, probably most crucial, if you do not forgive one another, know by the Words of Jesus Christ that the Father will also not forgive you, as we learn in Matthew 6.

Today's reading is yet another part of the installments of reading the Word of GOD, all of it, not just the bits that we find interesting. If we can not obey the simplest of instructions, how will we stand when our life is in peril for that which we do not know? Let me remind you:

Matthew 5:10-12 KJV

[10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. [11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.5.10-12.KJV

"... say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." Falsely! It must be false, else it doesn't qualify. How is truth determined within the modern church, by the Word of GOD or the doctrines of men?

Maybe you think, "this is not a problem for me." Well, what is your belief of the baptism, is it just by water as the baptism unto repentance, like the baptism of John, or is there a baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, and by Who does that come? You see, the matter here for which Paul is assaulted by the mob is regarding the law again, friends. Also for bringing a gentile into the temple, who the Jews considered unclean.

When was he arrested? Is it not during the cleansing ritual regarding a vow? We read of that vow earlier on in Acts. No, like me, many believe that to have been the vow of the Nazarite, but that is not in focus today. The fact is that he was going through a cleansing ritual at the Temple according to the Law of Moses. Friends, Paul was not a Gentile. Remember, he was both a Pharisee and, by birth, a Roman Citizen. Some of that is in today's reading, not all. But, it is how he gains favour to be permitted to address the people in the presence of those who bound him.

GOD sparing, we will read what he says to this crowd tomorrow.

The question I want to leave with you, in light of all our conversation over the past couple of days, is this: Are you truly standing in a Spiritual readiness for, not only the return of Jesus Christ, but also to be persecuted for His Name sake? Now let me give you straight from the Words of Jesus Christ, something most modern day Christians seemed to have conveniently forget:

Matthew 24:9-13 KJV

[9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. [11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. [12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.24.9-13.KJV

"...hated of all nations..." shall we test again what we agree with Christ with and what not? Will everyone be persecuted, that is not quite what the scripture says, more that it will be true in every nation. So it will be widespread, though some may escape it, it will be an escape of something that will be coming against us from all nations. How do we know that this is for us, and not for those Jews that so constantly made trouble for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Because Christ said, "...for the sake of My Name..." Those do not stand for Jesus, friends. Just like we saw here, they stand for the Law of Moses and the teachings of their elders.

So, are you ready to be arrested for the sake of Jesus Christ? It is easy to follow the Lord when it goes well, but what if your life or the lives of others is in jeopardy?

Selah, Shalom.

www.thehouseofbread.co.za

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Romans 5:8 KJV

[8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.5.8.KJV

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