As we round out our overview of Acts we find Paul traveling through Macedonia where his goal was to encourage the believers and then travel on to Greece. In Greece, Paul spent 3 months but was forced to leave when Jews plotted to take his life. With 7 men he traveled to Troas where he broke bread and taught the believers during a midnight service. During this service, a young man named Eutychus “Lucky” falls out of the window and dies. Paul raises him from the dead and the people were grateful. Paul wanting to get back to Jerusalem for Pentecost, hurried through many cities and around Asia.
He stopped in Miletus and asked the elders from Ephesus to visit with him there. In his note, he stresses that the Spirit has called him to Jerusalem, even with the shadow of imprisonment and suffering looming over him. He is ominous and states that he will not see them again and attests that he “did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan of God”. goes on further to encourage them to tend feed and guide the flock for which the Holy Spirit has given them. After giving them a warning he blesses them and they pray together. And it is here that he boards a ship headed to Jerusalem.
Chapter Twenty One Starts with an accounting of Paul’s journey that ultimately ported in Tyre where the cargo was unloaded. While here Paul was warned not to go to Jerusalem. While the author, Luke, and the others pleaded with Paul not to go he responded, “For I am ready not only to be bound and imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus”. John Wesley said of Paul’s response in Acts 21:14 is “true Christian resolution. We should never be persuaded, either to do evil or to omit doing any good which is in our power; saying, the will of the Lord be done – Which they were satisfied Paul knew.” (Zondervan, 2016)
Paul and the disciples went to Jerusalem where they were welcomed gladly. Paul stayed with Mnason, a disciple, from Cyprus. Paul then joins James and all the elders in Jerusalem and gave an account on how God had been saving the Gentiles. Jews from Asia turn a mob against Paul and want to kill him. They are stopped by the tribune and he is placed in prison. After Paul’s identity of being an Egyptian had been disputed he was granted the ability to speak to the people.
Chapter Twenty Two opens with Paul defending himself before the Jews. He speaks to them in Hebrew. Paul continues with his testimony. How he was zealous for the knowledge of God and a persecutor of Christians. He shares how on the road to Damascus he was blinded and that lead to his conversion. He shares about Ananias who restored his sight and baptized him in the Spirit and in water. He further shares how the Lord, while in the synagogue, led him to go out to the Gentiles. Even after his eloquent testimony, Paul finds himself being tied up. It is then that Paul reveals he is Roman by birth. Because of this the centurions were terrified and released him. The Tribune still curious why Paul was hated so much lawfully placed a council and had Paul speak to them.
Chapter Twenty Three Paul opens with “Kinsmen, I have lived my life before God with a perfectly good conscience until this very day”. And because of this the high priest, Ananias has someone hit Paul across the mouth. A dispute breaks out between the Sadducees and Pharisees after Paul reminds them that he is a Pharisee also. Paul is removed for his safety. While in prison the Lord visits Paul to encourage him and share that he will also testify in Rome.
Paul’s nephew catches that the Jews plan to take Paul early from prison and kill him on the way. The Tribune, Claudius Lysias, has 470 horsemen spearmen and soldiers to take Paul to Caesarea where he is questioned.
Chapter Twenty Four opens with Paul’s accusers presenting their case to the governor. He is accused of causing riots and has tried to profane the temple. Paul given the chance to defend himself says he is not a political rebel or has he defiled the temple. He does acknowledge that he is a leader of he way. Paul is left in prison for over two years.
Chapter Twenty Five shows the Jews trying again to set an ambush for Paul. Festus refuses to bring Paul back to Jerusalem and so a trial is held in Caesarea. The Jews do not succeed in bringing valid accusations before Festus and Paul pleads his innocence and appeals to Caesar. Festus brings Paul to stand before Kind Agrippa.
Chapter Twenty Six recounts Paul’s testimony to King Agrippa. After sharing his story and conversion he proclaims that he has been obedient to tell all Jews and Gentiles of Jesus who suffered and was raised again. When the King ask Paul if he is trying to convert him Paul responds ““Whether in a short time or long, I wish to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” In one of his three sermons from the Book of Acts, John Wesley says “May we all thus experience what it is to be, not almost only; but altogether Christians; being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus; knowing we have peace with God through Jesus Christ; rejoicing in hope of the glory of God; and having the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost given unto us!” (Wesley, Sermon 2 The Almost Christian, Acts 26:28)
In Chapter Twenty Seven Paul is handed over to Julius a centurion and travels to many ports, and while still a prisoner, he was treated kindly. Paul expressed that the journey was not safe but Julius pressed on. In verse thirteen a typhoon-like storm came over them. Paul heard from the Lord that they needed to get to the island because the ship would be destroyed. As they prepared to make land, the soldiers were inclined to kill the prisoners. Julius talked them out of following through with their plan. Paul was once again saved from death.
Paul finds himself on the island of Malta in Chapter Twenty Eight. The natives believed Paul to be a god after a poisonous snake bite him and he is not affected by it. After healing the leader’s father who was near death, he did the same for all the sick on the island. He was revered by those on the island and they provided everything he needed to continue the journey to Rome. He found some believers and stayed with them and as believers heard the news about them, they traveled far to visit with Paul. Once in Rome Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who was guarding him. After three days there he meets with the Jewish leaders. The leaders were unaware of Paul’s case but were willing to hear from Paul. Paul shared the message of Jesus but only a few believed. The Jews began to dispute among themselves and it increased after he quoted Isaiah 6:9-10 The end of Acts finds Paul living in Rome for two years, willingly and joyfully accepting all visitors. Paul continued to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ.
Chapters Twenty through Twenty Eight have a reoccurring theme, we should approach all people as Paul did during this season of his life. With a hospitable spirit to both saved and unsaved while always proclaiming the message of Christ’s salvation rule and reign.
John Wesley says of chapter 22 verse 28 “We learn hence, that we are under no obligation as Christians to give up our civil privileges (which we are to receive and prize as the gift of God) to every insolent invader. In a thousand circumstances, gratitude to God, and duty to men, will oblige us to insist upon them; and engage us to strive to transmit them improved, rather than impaired to posterity.” In a world where social justice leans very left how can we ensure “civil privileges” to all without compromising scriptural truth?
References
http://www.wbbm.org/john-wesley-sermons/serm-002.htm Sermon 2 – The Almost Christian Acts 26:28
Wesley Center Online http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/john-wesleys-notes-on-the-bible/notes-on-the-acts-of-the-apostles/#Chapter+XX
Zondervan,. The Amplified Study Bible. Zondervan. Kindle Edition.