The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to write: … the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
- Acts 21:12b-14
If you want to see what it is like to be led by the Holy Spirit, the Book of Acts deserves a bucket of popcorn and the movie screen of your mind as its words are narrated. It offers a vision for the life of every believer and every local church. The leading of the Holy Spirit is available to Christ-followers who have total commitment to their God-given purpose to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness by:
Loving God with all our hearts, souls, and minds (Mt 22:37)
Loving our neighbors (Mt 22:38-39)
Loving one another (Jn 13:34), and
Making disciples (Mt 28:16-20).
The Apostle Paul and his companions set their minds to the leading of the Spirit. When they planned to go in one direction, which was “closed” by a circumstance, they agreed that the closure was the Spirit’s work. That said, we turn to the inspiring drama of Acts 21.
Acts 21:1-8 reads like a travel log and offers us a beautiful picture of the Early Church. Luke describes their journey from city to city, occasionally commenting on their means of travel. Paul’s Mission Team desired to check in with believers they had discipled previously. The believers offered Paul and his team hospitality, said long goodbyes, and prayed together. The most striking moment in this passage happened when the believers in Tyre urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem, his declared destination. Luke reports that the Holy Spirit urged them to plead with Paul. On the surface, this sounds like a dilemma or contradiction. It isn’t. It is how the Spirit works. The Spirit urged Paul to go to Jerusalem before going to Rome. Knowing that the believers in Tyre were filled with the Spirit, Paul received their urging not to go. Their urging wasn’t due to a change of the Holy Spirit’s mind. No, their urging flowed from the love of Jesus in their hearts for Paul. Paul was headed for trouble in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit worked through the believers to assure Paul he was loved. His total commitment to Jesus was bolstered. Can you imagine coming to worship and gatherings at FPCB with an openness to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you through your brothers and sisters in faith?
Acts 21:10-16 continues the travel log and offers another occasion for believers to urge Paul to avoid Jerusalem. A prophet named Agabus tied Paul’s belt around Paul’s hands and feet. He prophesied that in Jerusalem, Paul would be bound by the Jews and handed over to the Romans. The people there wept and pled with Paul not to go. Their love for him impacted Paul. He said that he was ready to be bound and willing to die for the name of Jesus. Paul had total commitment to Jesus, and everyone’s faith increased. Hearing and seeing genuine and total commitment within our fellowship is good. It benefits everyone.
In Acts 21:17-26, Paul arrives in Jerusalem and is greeted by the believers there. They have concerns about Paul’s safety. They warn him of Jews who are angry about him teaching that Gentiles don’t need to be circumcised. In the face of this opposition, the Elders of Jerusalem counseled Paul to show his devotion to Jewish ways. They instructed him to sponsor four Jewish Christ-followers who took a Nazarite vow. A Nazarite Vow was a Jewish way to express total commitment to God. (Click here to learn more.) Paul complied. His public participation in a Jewish ritual did not protect him from resentment by early Christians and Jews who had a death grip on Jewish traditions. In this passage, Paul demonstrates his total commitment to Jesus by submitting himself to the Elders of the Jerusalem church. This is remarkable. He was a celebrity in the church and refused to play that card. Like Paul, let us check our pride and learn the value of submitting to spiritual leaders in the church.
In Acts 21:27-36, Paul is met by opposition in the city. Some Jews started a riot, seized him, and accused him of teaching against Jewish people and law. He was falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the Temple and thereby defiling it. As the crown began to beat Paul, a Roman commander arrived with soldiers. The riot and beating were stopped. Paul was taken into Roman custody. The crowd shouted, “Get rid of him!” Paul followed the urging of the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. Through the urging of fellow believers, the Spirit informed him that there would be trouble and assured him that God loved him. In all this, we see that the Spirit gave Paul a destination and purpose, a supply of love to continue despite opposition and lies. When we submit to the leading of the Spirit, we may face opposition and lies within and outside of the church. We learn from Paul to keep our eye on Christ and trust the Holy Spirit's supporting fellowship as we walk in the way we are led.
Acts 21 offers a beautiful picture of the interplay between the Holy Spirit, a believer, and fellow believers. Reflect on your willingness to follow Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, within the fellowship of other like-minded Christ-followers. Life-giving faith will result.
It's a great day to live the Gospel!
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