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When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. ¹⁸ On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. ¹⁹ After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰ And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, ²¹ and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. ²² What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. ²³ Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; ²⁴ take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law. ²⁵ But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.” ²⁶ Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them. (ESV)

All our ministry ‘successes’ are God’s, and to Him belongs all the glory. May we never forget it. How remarkable that Almighty God should deign to work ”through” mere mortals (19). But as E.M. Bounds asserted, ‘God’s methods are men.’

It is instructive to note in this passage, that wise counsel was given to Paul, and he was sufficiently humble to listen and act upon it (21-26). May we never become unteachable.

There had been a large scale reception of the gospel by many Jews (20), but there was a danger that they would be misled about Paul. Falsehoods were bring spread. Paul was willing to be ‘all things to all men’ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).He would never compromise on essential doctrine, but he was prepared to act expediently for the sake of peace and church unity, and above all in order to further the gospel.. The principle here seems to be, ‘Do not cause unnecessary offence as far as you can help it.’

And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.² And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. ³ When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. ⁴ And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. ⁵ When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed ⁶ and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.

⁷ When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. ⁸ On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. ¹⁰ While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ 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.’” ¹² When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul answered, “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.” ¹⁴ And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” (ESV)

Once again we have a very touching scene, as believers kneel together on the beach, and pray, before saying their emotional ‘farewells’.

‘When we asunder part,
  It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
  And hope to meet again.’ (From the hymn: ‘Blest be the tie that binds’)

Perhaps we never feel the preciousness of Christian fellowship so intensely as we do in times of trial, tribulation, and persecution.

In this passage, the Holy Spirit was clearly speaking. What seems to be equally clear is that Paul did not interpret these warnings of danger as reasons for not going to Jerusalem (Again, see 19:21).

‘The days Paul spent at Caesarea were the last happy days of freedom that he was to enjoy for two or three years. What blessed intercourse Paul and Philip must have had! They had both known Stephen. Agabus joined the happy party, with prophecies of peril ahead, but these only served to bring out the magnificent courage of the Apostle. His purpose was inflexible. An unseen hand was beckoning; a voice which only he could hear was calling. He had no doubt as to God’s purpose, and went straight forward; though he was not insensible to the love and sympathy of friends.’ F.B. Meyer

We also learn something about Philip here that we haven’t seen before: i.e. how hospitable he was – and about his 4 prophesying daughters. What a spiritually dynamic household that was! Was it during this time that Luke learned details direct from Philip about the ‘revival’ in Samaria, and the encounter with the Ethiopian in the desert? I do wonder

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (ESV)

 “Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvellous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends. (The Message)

Paul here speaks about the power in the Word of God itself to edify, to build up the church.

Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples…” (John 8:31). We cannot grow in godliness apart from God’s Word. At the beginning of a new year, let us commit to living deeply in it; to having it deeply living in us. May we be able to say, and mean, with the psalmist, ”I will not neglect your word” (Ps.119:16).

Selwyn Hughes told a story about being at a conference in a certain place, where he met a man and encouraged him to read his Bible regularly. Later on in the week he came across this same man and asked him, ‘Have you been reading your Bible?’ ‘Oh no sir,’ replied the man. ‘I have found that it has been reading me!’

Remember:

“The Bible is the only book whose author is always with you as you read it.” – AW Tozer…who also said,

“Studying the Bible is spending time with God.” 

PRAYER: ‘Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain.” (Psalm 119:36)