Review of Acts 20 & 21

by Pastor Temilolu Oluwasijuwomi

POSSIBLE REASONS WHY PAUL WENT TO JERUSALEM

1. He was resolved and determined in his own mind, or he purposed in his spirit, to go to Jerusalem:

Acts 19:21

After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, after I have been there, I must also see Rome. NKJV

After these things had happened, Paul made up his mind to travel through Macedonia and Achaia and go on to Jerusalem. “after I go there,” he said, “I must also see Rome.” GNB

2. His Great Affection for the Jews

Rom. 9:

1. I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2. That I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4. Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5. of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

3.Hope that gifts of the Gentile churches, sent by him to the poor saints at Jerusalem would open the hearts of the law-bound Jewish believers to the “gospel of the grace of God” Acts 20:24

Romans 15:25-28

25.But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

REVELATION OF HOLY SPIRIT VERSUS PAULS WILL?:

Paul’s mission was set out from the beginning, Acts 9:15

1. Gentiles                                                                                

2. Kings

3. The children of Israel.

…and he was set to fulfill it, regardless of the revelation of the Spirit through the following:

1. Ananias that Paul would suffer for Christ’s name (Acts 9.15-16).

2. Believers in Tyre (Acts 21.3-4)

3. Agabus in Caesarea (Acts 21.8-11).

4. The Holy Spirit had told Paul many times that suffering and imprisonment awaited him in Jerusalem (Acts 20.22-24).

Paul only lined himself up wholeheartedly with what had been earlier revealed by the Holy Spirit concerning him.

PAUL HAD BEEN PREPARED BEFORE HAND SO NOTHING WOULD SURPRISE HIM ABOUT JERUSALEM EVEN DEATH

In most of the cities in which Paul preached, a riot of some kind resulted. The riots did not happen because Paul said or did something that was wrong. Paul had faced Confusions, riots, and attacks in the following cities

1. Acts 9.23, Damascus right after Paul’s salvation;

2.  Acts 13.44-50, Pisidian Antioch;

3. Acts 14.5-6, Iconium;

4. Acts 14.19, Lystra

5. Acts 16.19, Philippi;

6. Acts 17.1-10, Thessalonica;

7. Acts 17.13, Berea;

8. Acts 18.12-17, Corinth;

9. Acts 19.23-34, Ephesus; and

LESSONS FROM PAUL

1. God will not put more on us than we can bear 1Cor 10: 13 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it

2. The fact that we are being led by the Spirit doesn’t mean that our will is suspended. Paul made a choice in line with the will of the Holy Spirit.

After these things had happened, Paul made up his mind to travel through Macedonia and Achaia and go on to Jerusalem. “After I go there,” he said, “I must also see Rome.” Act 19:21

3. The fact that the Spirit is leading us does not mean we will not face challenges.

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20.24); and

“I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” Acts 21:13

4. However the Spirit leads, it always works together for our good. Rom 8: 28 and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose