December 12: Acts 20:4-23:35

December 12, Acts 20:4-23:35

Acts Continued…

Acts 20:4-38 Paul in Macedonia and Greece. We left off in chapter 19 where there was a riot and local business owners wanted to have Paul killed because people were not buying their man-made idols as much anymore… Then Paul left and he traveled. 

Eutychus Raised from the Dead. Paul went to go break bread with the brothers and sisters in Troas when they gathered on a Sunday - and Paul was a preachin! Picture the scene… “And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.” After a long night of communion and conversation, it was time to go and “they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.” No big deal! Paul just raised somebody from the dead and went back to work…

Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders. Paul reminds the elders of Ephesus how he has served them with humility and full heart. He was sharing with everyone that they were to have repentance and put their faith in Jesus Christ. He has faced prison, death and afflictions, “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” His goal was to finish strong - not to have a plush life or take easy street - but to testify about the gospel of the grace of God. Paul gave them a warning though, as he knew that he wasn't going to be around forever… “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert…” Paul was aware of what was coming and God’s people needed to be warned.

Time was coming for Paul to leave… “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.” After they all met, they wept together as they knew this would be the last time that they would see Paul on this side of earth.

Acts 21 Paul Goes to Jerusalem. They leave them and sail to Tyre. While there, the people were believing that the Spirit was telling Paul to not go to Jerusalem, however thy were wrong. They all prayed together on the beach and Paul went on his way… Paul and his companions headed to Caesarea and meets us with Agabus from Juda. What does Agabus say? He prophecies, “And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” This was Paul’s future and the people were frightened. But Paul wasn’t! Paul said to them, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” Are you willing to give all for the name of Christ?

Paul Visits James. The people in Jerusalem warmly welcomed Paul. It is there that Paul met up with James, the brother of Jesus & Pastor of the church of Jerusalem. Paul gave all of them a report about what God had been doing and they were all greatly encouraged. The elders were making sure that Paul wasn't teaching that people had to be circumcised, as there was rumors about that. He was not. 

Paul Arrested in the Temple. While Paul was at the Temple, some Jews seized him and wanted to kill him - they believed that Paul had defiled the Temple, which he had not. When they were trying to kill him, by God’ grace, he was taken away to be arrested and bound in chains. He was safely placed in the barracks and he requested that he be able to speak to the crowd of Jews. 

Paul Speaks to the People. Paul was given permission to speak to them. Paul addressed them in their own language… Aramaic.

Acts 22 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you…” Paul explained that he was a Roman citizen and taught by Gamiliel - a respected teacher. He went through his testimony (killed Christians, met Jesus & became His servant…) His testimony about what Jesus had done for him was also a sermon! “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me…And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ” ” Jesus told him what was going to happen and when he told the Jews he was going to the Gentiles, they became very angry with him & again wanted to kill him. Paul and the Roman Tribune. Paul was arrested again and the Jews were insanely mad at him. The soldiers were about to whip Paul and he said to them, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” Uh-oh, they were not allowed to do that and set him free. The next day - Paul went before the religious leaders.

Paul Before the Council. Here is how obstinate and real Paul is, “But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

Acts 23 Paul wanted to know why this was happening. He was before the Sanhedrin (religious leaders meeting) and as soon as he began to speak, the High Priest had him struck in the mouth for being disrespectful to the high priest, which Paul didn't intend to do. I like how Bakers Commentary summarized this chapter… “Paul faces the members of the Sanhedrin and begins to address them. But after one sentence the high priest interrupts him and orders bystanders to strike Paul on the mouth. Paul reacts by calling the high priest a whitewashed wall, receives a reprimand for this remark, and offers his apologies. Knowing that some members of the Sanhedrin are Sadducees and others Pharisees, Paul calls out that he is a Pharisee and believes in the resurrection of the dead, a doctrine the Sadducees refuse to accept. The Pharisees support Paul, a dispute breaks out, and the result is that Paul is nearly torn to pieces. The Roman commander calls in his soldiers, who rescue Paul and bring him to their barracks.

During the night the Lord appears to Paul in a vision and encourages him with the announcement that he must preach the gospel in Rome. Meanwhile the Jews plot to kill Paul. They ask the Sanhedrin to have Paul appear once again in court, for they plan to assassinate him while he is being transported from the Roman barracks to the Sanhedrin. Paul’s nephew hears about the plot, runs to Paul, and tells him the news. The boy is taken to the Roman commander and relates that forty Jews have taken an oath not to eat or drink anything until they have killed Paul. The commander orders two centurions to ready their troops to accompany Paul to Caesarea that night. He writes a letter to Governor Felix and sends the soldiers on their way. The foot soldiers go only to Antipatris and then return to Jerusalem, while the cavalry travels to Caesarea with Paul. When they arrive, the officers deliver the letter and Paul to Felix, who places Paul under guard in Herod’s palace.”

To sum it all up: 

• Heed the advice of Paul and protect your flocks or yourself. We are surrounded by wolves - people and things that try to kill us or pull us away from God’s powerful love. 
• Sometimes we are wrong when we think the Spirit is telling us one thing or another. God will confirm it… Fear not! 
• Can you respond like Paul? “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 
• Always be prepared to give your testimony about what Christ has done in your lives - always. You never know when you will have the opportunity - do you know why and how you were saved? Not that you have to go into some huge theological debate, but just knowing the basics is enough.