Acts 23:23-35 ESV

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.

SAFEGUARDED

After hearing the plot, the tribune, Claudius Lysias, immediately dispatched two centurions to transport Paul to Felix, the governor living at Caesaria Maritima. Leaving at the third hour of the night were Two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen and mounts for Paul to ride. Moreover, the tribune wrote a letter to Felix the governor to explain and convince him to protect and provide Paul a fair trial.

Paul and the Roman guards arrived at Caesaria. On reading the letter, Felix asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, Governor he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium. [v.34,35]

While God allows danger, His presence is assured. As the psalmist has expressed, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” [Psa 46:1] As a result we could have the peace like Paul being safeguarded should we trust in Him. The psalmist concluded;

“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.”[Psa 46:10-11]

In the Old Testament, the ravens fed Elijah, the lions guarded Daniel inside the den, Achish, the Philistines protected David..theseare examples of how God could use ungodly and unclean instruments to protect His own people. We could not fathom God’s wisdom. Definitely, His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. His people are the apple of His eyes. Thus, the plan of the wicked won’t prosper for the Lord determines their limits and bounds.

Therefore, no matter how overwhelming our situation is, we shouldn’t succumb to these as if we don’t have hope, should we? As Paul, writing at the prison has exhorted us, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”[Phil 4:6,7] His peace comes through His safekeeping.

Acts 23:12-22 ESV

12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

THE PLOT

It’s understandable that the vehement hatred of the religious leaders to Paul exploded as a brewing volcano. Their former number one asset became their number one liability or nemesis. Paul’s 180 degrees transformation couldn’t be explained and in no way it was less than a miracle. More than forty animated Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

In unregenerate hearts ‘where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.’, James writes.[Jas 3:16] And Solomon says,

“Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,

but who can stand before jealousy?”[Prov 27:4]

They planned to set an ambush. They would request Paul to go to the council and along the way, they are going to kill Paul. But, God’s hand was upon Paul. Paul was not someone indispensable but God wasn’t finished with him yet. He must witness in Rome, God said. Like him, we are immortal until God’s plan is done in us, are we not?

That his nephew knew the plot, who told Paul. Paul told the centurion, who went to report to the tribune, so that Paul’s nephew was able to tell the tribune personally himself. The amazing part is that these Roman authorities had believed the report without any doubt at all. Weren’t all these a result of God’s sovereign work in the hearts of men. As Solomon says,

“The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;

he turns it wherever he will.”[Prov 21:1]

What’s the implications that Jesus when He sent His disciples to the world, he said, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”?[Matt 10:16] Is it not that God may let us pass through the ‘valleys of death’? We may feel vulnerable but also secured. As David said,

“I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.”[Psa 23:4-6]

Acts 23:11 ESV

11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

TAKE COURAGE

God’s ways are inscrutable, are they not? Paul knew he may risked his life in going to Jerusalem. When he arrived in Jerusalem, he was mobbed and illegallly accused of dishonoring the Mosaic law. If not for the Roman tribune, they should had beaten him to death.

The Roman tribune allowed Paul to address the crowd in the temple courtyard (Acts 21:27–40). Paul used that opportunity to explain how he had persecuted Jesus-followers all the way to Damascus in Syria. Before he reached the city, Jesus of Nazareth appeared to him in a great light. Paul became a Jesus-follower that day (Acts 9:1–19; 22:3–16). In short, he took this an opportunity to asset that Jesus is the Messiah.

Thus, the tribune brought him to the council. His testimony had caused the Pharissees and Sadducees in deep conflict or dispute over the fact of ressurection, even becoming violent. The helpless tribune has already learned he can't understand Paul and he can't beat him (Acts 22:1–29) Now, he realizes he can't control him. Paul hasn't broken the law and takes him back to the barracks to regroup.

In all these events, God appeared to him in the night to stand by him. After all, he was here in Jerusalem because of the promptings of the Spirit. [see Acts 20:23-24] This was a needed encouragement. As Jesus has promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” His presense is assured as well us the fulfilment of His purposes. God told him, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” His journey to Rome won’t be easy but it was assured.

Likewise, our journey in this world will have its twists and turns, ups and downs. Nevertheless, with God on our side, who can be against us. [Rom 8:35-37] As Heb 13:5,6 says;

“for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear;

what can man do to me?”[Heb 13:5-6]

In short, it’s God’s presence and promise that fuel our courage.

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Acts 23:6-10 ESV

6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

DIVISION IN THE COUNCIL

The Sanhedrin regulated the practice of Judaism. It was comprised of priests, elders, and scribes, whereby most of them were experts in the Mosaic law. Most of all the priests members of the council belong to the sect of the Sadducees. They followed the Mosaic law only, that is, the first five books of Scripture with no additional regulation. And they tended to be wealthy and got along with the Romans. They believed there is no resurrection from the dead. To their thinking, any blessings God gives will come in this lifetime, so a person needs to get their benefits now.

The Pharisees, however, also followed the Oral Law, which their scribes claimed came from Moses. This is in addition to their belief to the written Law in the Pentateuch. Pharisees believed in the resurrection from the dead. They liked power and money, but they didn't want to risk their chance for more power and riches in the afterlife, so they followed extra-biblical rules. Unlike the Saducees, they disliked the Romans.

The Pharisees and Sadducees’ validations came from the people who saw them as great religious leaders. Both, Jesus and John the Baptist later had criticized both sects (Mat 3:7; 16:6–12).

Here, the Sanhedrin council convened in order to hear and determine whether the accusations against Paul was true or not based on the law. They heard Paul saying, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” As they heard this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

Paul's wit worked. He used the dissenting views about the subject of ressurrection to gain sentiment from the Pharisees who believed in ressurection and provoke the Sadducees, who believe not the ressurection. By doing so, he drew attention away from himself. Surely, the message of the ressurection from the dead makes his accusers find hard to handle. (Acts 23:1–6). And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

Their conflict was an indication of how the council had posed externally as respectable but rotten at its core. It is sad that religious leaders would focus and defend a particular persuasion, especially if it’s a non-essential. Their pride to defend their turf had diverted them from the most essential – to know Christ.

Acts 22:30 – 23:1-5 ESV

30 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.

And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

UNREASONABLENESS

Paul was brought by the tribune to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council that regulates and enforces the Jewish religion. The tribune, a Roman army officer, wanted to know why a mob attacked him in the temple (Acts 21:27–31). Paul wasn't concerned about the tribune. He was much interested now that he had the opportunity. For since he was saved, he now could present his case before the ruling council of his people.

At the start he wanted to affirm his integrity. Though he's been accused of bringing a Gentile into the temple and is in Roman custody (Acts 21:27–36), that doesn't mean he's broken the Jewish law. His statement had ended this meeting before it began. The high priest Ananias became furious and has him struck. In response, Paul accidentally insults the high priest and was sarcastic with him. He said, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”

Why Paul was being sarcastic? Perhaps, it was because of Ananias' reputation as a particularly corrupt high priest. He stole tithes meant for lower-ranking priests and used violence, including assassinations, to get what he wanted. Here was one example. He had Paul struck before convicting him of a crime.

A person in authority could be blinded by its power so that he becomes unreasonable. Like the high priest Ananias, an unreasonable person, is inconsistent. Paul highlighted it by saying ‘Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?’ He did not know he was the high priest. If he talked sensibly and acted responsibly, Paul could recognized him. Paul asked apology for his remarks, saying, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

It’s tragic that there are religious leaders who are not living up to their titles. Thus, they had not earned the respect of people because of the unreasonableness and inconsistencies in their lives. There is wisdom to what James is saying, that is, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”[Jas 3:1] While Paul was living a blameless life, Ananaias and the Pharisees did not live up according to their title. Respect shouldn’t be demanded but earned.

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Acts 22:22-29 ESV

22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

RESPONDING TO AN INJUSTICE

The people listened attentively to Paul until he mentioned that he is commissioned to preach to the Gentiles. They cannot accept that a Jew who still follows the Mosaic law would associate with Gentiles, let alone intentionally have fellowship with them. Apparently, their aversion towards the Gentiles was manifested by their violence. They raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air. The crowd was on a frenzy.

This has caused the tribune to bring him immediately to the barracks in order to question why such violent reactions from the crowd. They thought of flogging Paul for him to squeal the truth. They took a whip and was about to flog him when Paul said, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” Paul is a Roman citizen and cannot be tortured unless he is convicted in a fair trial. This just showed how an authority like a Roman tribunal could react out of instinct not wisdom.

Did not Jesus say we that should be ‘wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove.’? Paul, as a lawyer himself, knew how he should respond as an innocent Roman citizen from an unjust treatment. Christians should be meek and not shoving on people in their throats. But, we should not allow ourselves to be stepped upon as a doormat. God has given us authorities to protect us. They are delegated by God. As Paul said, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”[Rom 13:1-7]

Acts 22:1--21 ESV

1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

PAUL’S DEFENSE

Paul made his defense. He asked this from the tribune. This event takes place on the steps of the Antonia Fortress, the outpost of the Roman army in Jerusalem on the northwest corner of the temple mount.

Paul has rehearsed the details of his conversion. And we see some pertinent highlights, namely;

First, he clearly explained who he was before his conversion - he was a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the church. In other words, he was no interest to believe and know Christ. In fact, he wanted to get rid Jesus followers. Paul fought fervently against it. He not only looked on with approval as a vicious mob murdered the evangelist Stephen (Acts 7:54–60; 22:20), he tracked down Jesus-followers in Jerusalem so violently they fled to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1–3; 26:10–11). When he had done all he could in Judea, he requested and received permission from the Sanhedrin to hunt Christians in Damascus (Acts 9:1–2).

Acts 21:27-36 ESV

27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”

THE MOB

Because believing Jews believed the lie, it spread to non-believing Jews. Thus, Paul himself was arrested by the Romans. In such situation, that is, an abuse or when civil law is broken—the church should notify the proper authorities that a crime has been committed, should they not? In other cases, God gives the church the right to judge internally (1 Cor 6:1–8). Supposedly, Paul's accusers had no right to publicly spread rumors that he encouraged Jews to break the Mosaic law when he was not given a chance to defend himself. But, malicious critics are always unfair and vindictive.

They waited for any breach that the apostle could be accused of. They saw him with Trophimus, a Gentile, in the city. Thus, they spread the lie that Paul had brought him into the temple. Bringing a Gentile into the temple is desecrating a religious structure, which was a crime under the Roman law and punishable by death. In 1871, a carved stone sign was found in the wall of a Muslim school in Jerusalem's Old City that reads, "No foreigner may enter within the balustrade around the sanctuary and the enclosure. Whoever is caught, on himself shall he put blame for the death which will ensue." It is written in Greek and applies to Gentiles and unclean Jews.

Thus, some Asian Jews incited the crowd to assault him. Paul was spared for the Roman guards arrive and arrested him. Was not this the Spirit has revealed unto him before he left Miletus? This mob was allowed by God for His purpose.[Rom 8:28] let’s recall that Paul said unequivocably, “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 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.”[Acts 20:22-24]

Today, let’s always maintain our trust that God is in control over the affairs of man. As the psalmist declared;

“ Even human wrath will praise You;

You will clothe Yourself

with their remaining wrath”[Psa 76:10]

In other words, God exactly knows what He is doing as one painting a master piece of art. He knew exactly the limits of dark shades that enhances his beauty in and through our lives.

- Acts 21:17-26 ESV

17 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.

RUMORS

Paul must have very mixed feelings as he arrived Jerusalem. He was glad to be back, certainly. His team could finally deliver the donations they have collected from the Asian and Europe churches to the apostles who first spread the message of Jesus (Acts 20:4; Rom 15:26). Paul could give the Jerusalem elders an account of the healthy churches in Ephesus, Troas, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth. That despite their various troubles—especially in Corinth—they faithfully are following Christ.

Paul enjoyed this wonderful reunion while he could.

But, he would soon learn that despite his sacrifices and faithfulness, there was a slander or rumor against him. Some claimed he had forsaken and rejected entirely the Mosaic law, and had encouraged other Jews to do as well. As he went about proving his respect for Mosaic law, another group of wicked people wrongly accused him. This time, the claim is that he brought a Gentile into the temple.

When Paul denied the accusations, the church in Jerusalem was relieved. Ushering Gentiles into the church is one thing. And, completely abandoning the symbol of Jewish national identity[circumcision] is quite another. God's commands to the nation of Israel don't contradict the gospel of salvation. It would have been difficult for evangelists in Jerusalem to witness to Jewish Pharisees if Paul were travelling the world telling Jewish Christians not to be circumcised.

The elders asked, “What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.” They devised a plan. So they suggested, “ Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 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.” Paul had to show a way to prove his respect to the law. It’s important to prove our claim.

Rumors are rooted from half-truths, are they not? It’s when malicious people choose to exaggerate one aspect of a fact. The elders were enlighteneded to hear the side of Paul, that Paul wasn’t direspectful as the enemies claimed

Acts 21:10-16 ESV

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.”

15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

LET THE WILL OF THE LORD BE DONE

During their stay at Caesaria, a prophet named Agabus arrived from Judea. We first heard Agabus in Syrian Antioch shortly after Paul joined Barnabas and before their first missionary voyage. Agabus had prophesied a great famine would trouble Jerusalem (Acts 11:28). Thus, the church in Antioch took a collection and sent Barnabas and Paul to deliver it. Paul turned this into a tradition so that whenever he plants a church in Asia and Europe, he encourages the members to take a collection for Jerusalem.

Here, Agabus prophesied about Paul’s future in Jerusalem. 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.’” Consequently, everyone urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Understandably, they did not want harm to happen to Paul. By this, they must had thought Paul would be amused.

But, he was not. With firmness in his reolve, he said, “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.” Earlier the elders at Ephesus had done this same before he left Miletus. Paul should listen to them if it was not the will of God.

At times, we are torn between safety of a beloved and the will of God in our lives and our loved ones. Human as we are, we think of safety as the best option, forgetting that the will of God is the safest place for us. This had grieved Paul’s heart, saying, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?”

Like Peter who tried to prevent Jesus from suffering, he though he was doing what was right. But, Jesus rebuked him, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”[Mat 16:23]

Like Jesus, Paul had made his resolve to obey God. The die is cast. Having been corrected and convinced to Pauls determination, the all said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” This has settled their apprehension.

Like Paul, may, we always seek to fulfil God’s will in our lives daily. As Paul has exhorted us, “ I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” [Rom 12:1] Like Paul, may our concept of what is good, acceptable and perfect isn’t just what is comfortable and safe. But, anything pleasant or not, that could give God the highest glory.