Paul is set on his course to Jerusalem. And on his return, he stops to meet with church leaders along the way. In Miletus, he meets with those from Ephesus, and reminds them of the time he has spent with them and his dedication to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And with this, he says “I am guiltless of the blood of all of you”, which is to say, you have heard the word from me, now it is up to you to carry it forward. Then he warns them of those that will draw disciples away after themselves. Then he charges them by entrusting them to God and the message “the inheritance” they are to take hold of as written more fully later in Ephesians 1. Paul continues his journey to Jerusalem and comes to Philip and the prophet Agabus who tells him what is waiting for him and Paul responds, “I am ready”.
To Be In Jerusalem On the Day of Pentecost
Acts 20:13–16
Paul had come from Philippi Acts 20:6 to Troas to stay seven days. Now those with Paul set off by ship to Assos. Paul was going by land to meet them there. This was about thirty miles, ten or so hours across this prominence that the ship sailed around. It was a time for Paul to be alone, to pray, and it would have been a beautiful walk whether he went straight across and up the slight elevation or the longer way around the coast line. Then they went port to port as was likely a trade and supply route.
Bound By The Spirit I Am Traveling
Acts 20:17–27
Paul “sent word* to Ephesus and* summoned the elders of the church” in Acts 20:17 and they joined him. He reminds them of his “serving the Lord” in vs. 19 and how he did not “shrink back from proclaiming” in vs. 20, “testifying” in vs. 21. Then he declares his intention in Acts 20:22-24 “bound by the Spirit I am traveling to Jerusalem … in order to finish my mission and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
And his final testimony to them is in Acts 20:25-27 “you will see my face no more … I am guiltless of the blood of all of you”. This is also a reminder to us that we have also a duty to, as he says in Acts 20:27 proclaim the whole purpose of God to those we come in contact with.
Shepherd the Church of God
Acts 20:28–38
Paul now warns them as leaders in vs 29 “wolves will come” in vs 30 “speaking perversions of the truth in order to draw away the disciple after them”.
Then Paul charges them in Acts 20:32 entrusting them to God and to the message. His point here is that the power of God and the Word of God are able and this short statement here “to give you the inheritance” is fully developed in Ephesians 1:1-11 and Paul’s prayer for them in Ephesians 1:17-23 or as it is also said in 2 Peter 1:2-7.
We Tore Ourselves Away From Them
Acts 21:1–7
It is sometimes difficult to leave those you love and head off to the work God has called you to. As they were traveling to Jerusalem, there were stops all along the way with people that had been helped by Paul’s ministry and they turned out to see him. When Paul came to Tyre, they stayed for a week and then in Acts 21:5 “all of them accompanied us, together with their wives and children”. We sometimes get the idea that because Paul was not married that this was true of all those that were with him, but God made marriage and family and it is good for us to raise our children in the things of God
The Will of the Lord Be Done
Acts 21:8–16
Paul is getting closer to Jerusalem, as he arrives in Caesarea and in Acts 21:8 stays with Philip and his family. Philip is an evangelist, his daughters ans Agabus were prophets, Paul was an Apostle, and there were others with them. This is the kind of environment where God can move, and speak. And in Acts 21:11-14 it is clearly spoken that Paul will face imprisonment, and Paul responds that he is ready. They all understood and agreed “the will of the Lord be done”. So Paul and others with him, went up to Jerusalem and stay with Mnason.
The Brothers Welcomed Us Gladly
Acts 21:17–22
In Acts 21:17 “the brothers welcomed us gladly” and this is the
vs 19 – what God has done
vs 20 – ten thousands … the law
vs 21 telling them not to circumcise their children or to live according to our customs.
Purify Yourself Along With Them
Acts 21:23–26
Paul was willing and obedient.
Paul criticized Peter for acting like a Jew in front of the gentiles.
Why is Paul following this?
Study Verses
- Acts 20:17–27
- Acts 20:28–38
- Acts 21:8–16
Today’s Reading
- Acts 20:13-38
- Acts 21:1-26
