ACTS 21
PAUL’S MESSAGE MET WITH OPPOSITION IN JERUSALEM
On the way to Jerusalem, Paul lands in Tyre, where he stays with a few disciples for seven days. During this time, Paul is given insight from the Holy Spirit to avoid Jerusalem.
Continuing his mission, Paul visits Ptolemais and Caesarea. While he is there, Agabus, a prophet from Judea, gives Paul a message through a dramatic gesture. Taking Paul’s belt and binding Paul’s hands and feet, Agabus warns Paul that his fate in Jerusalem will be oppression.
Begging Paul not to go to Jerusalem, Paul’s friends and disciples protest against his departure. Standing firm in his faith, Paul is not concerned about being arrested or killed but is confident in God’s response to his obedience. Not long after this event, Paul continues traveling towards Jerusalem.
When he arrives in Jerusalem, Paul is greeted by his friends. While visiting with James, Paul shares in great detail how God is inviting non-Jewish believers into the faith. Through Paul’s sharing of the gospel, people of all ethnic backgrounds are beginning to follow Jesus. James and the other church leaders are amazed and encouraged by this news and praise God for his goodness.
After hearing the news of God’s inclusion of the Gentiles, some of the Jewish people at the temple are angry with Paul. They believe Paul was distorting the faith and defiling the temple by including non-Jewish people. In an angry mob, the people seize Paul and drag him out of the temple. In response to the stir of the people, Paul is arrested and bound with chains. The mob of people follow Paul, wanting him to be killed. After begging for permission, Paul is allowed to speak to the Jewish people and plead his case.
ACTS 22
THE JEWISH PEOPLE OUTRAGED BY THE INCLUSION OF GENTILES
The Jewish people in the crowd hear that Paul is speaking Hebrew and begin to listen closely. Paul shares his testimony with them, explaining that he was a Jewish man who previously persecuted Christians. Paul recalls his personal experience with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) and tells of his temporary blindness. After this encounter with Christ, Paul became a believer and dedicated his life to spreading the news of Jesus. He shares the wisdom he received from the Lord, telling him that his testimony will not be received well in Jerusalem.
After Paul shares the gospel with the non-Jewish people, the people of Jerusalem are outraged. They see the message of Paul as blasphemous and want to kill him. As they are about to beat him, Paul expresses that it is unlawful for him to be flogged without a trial as a Roman citizen. God uses Paul’s unique circumstance of being both of Jewish descent and a Roman citizen to his advantage. Instead of flogging Paul, they bring him before the chief priest and council.
ACTS 23
PAUL TAKEN BEFORE THE COUNCIL + THE GOVERNOR
As Paul is before the council, someone orders for him to be struck across the face. Paul speaks up, calling out the hypocrisy of the man, saying they are judging him according to the law, but unwilling to keep it themselves. When Paul realizes the man is the high priest, he relents and remembers his own instructions to respect authorities.
Seeing that both Pharisees and Sadducees are among them, two types of religious leaders, Paul takes the attention off himself by bringing up a point of conflict between the two groups. After causing the clamor, the Pharisees stand up for Paul and defend his innocence. The following night, God tells Paul that he will testify in Rome as well as Jerusalem. God encourages Paul to have courage and continue the work he has begun.
Knowing that Paul is still alive, a group of forty Jewish men make a pact not to eat or drink until Paul is killed. Paul and the local leadership hear of the pact and proceed with caution. Paul is brought to Felix, the Governor for the trial. Knowing that many want to kill him, he travels with protection from the Jerusalem army. Claudius, one of the Roman leaders, writes to Felix and says that he finds no guilt in Paul. Upon reading the letter, Felix waits for Paul’s hearing.
ACTS 24
PAUL ACCUSED + LEFT IN CUSTODY
Continuing Paul’s trials, Paul is questioned by a lawyer named Tertullus. Tertullus accuses Paul of causing riots among the Jewish people and defiling the temple. Pleading his innocence, Paul disputes these claims and says that he was only guilty of worshiping God and believing the Scriptures. Paul challenges the Jewish people to provide proof of his wrongdoing, knowing there is none. Paul also emphasizes his adherence to Jewish laws and teachings. Because Paul has lived in a righteous way, he has a clear conscience despite their accusations.
Felix, the governor of Judea, has an accurate understanding of Paul’s beliefs and possibly recognizes his innocence, but is conflicted and swayed by the intensity of the angry Jewish people. Hoping to buy himself more time, Felix leaves Paul in custody instead of making a verdict.
Two years go by, and new leadership is appointed in Caesarea and Governor Felix is succeeded by Festus. Wanting to keep the Jewish people at peace, Felix leaves Paul in prison until Festus is appointed as the new leader.
ACTS 25
PAUL APPEALS TO SPEAK BEFORE CAESAR
The chief priests and the Jewish people want to kill Paul and ask Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem to face his charges. Festus says there is no purpose in going back to Jerusalem and states that Paul can face his accusations in Caesarea. Ten days later, Festus brings Paul into the courtroom. Paul restates his innocence before Festus, which is consistent with his earlier plea to Felix.
Having waited long enough, Paul exercises his rights as a Roman citizen and makes a pivotal decision to appeal to Caesar for his trial. Perplexed by this case, Agrippa, the King of Judea, visits Festus and expresses his desire to hear Paul's case. This meeting serves as an opportunity for Paul to speak about his beliefs and his journey to faith.
ACTS 26
PAUL SHARES THE GOSPEL WITH AGRIPPA
Visited by King Agrippa, Paul shares his defense. Paul is appreciative of Agrippa’s willingness to listen and urges him to listen patiently as he delves into the details of his case. Paul gives context to his story, telling Agrippa that he was once a Jewish religious leader who hated followers of Jesus. Paul then tells of his conversion and his personal encounter with Jesus (Acts 9).
Paul boldly defends his obedience to God and the Jewish customs. Although Paul desperately wants to share the news of Jesus with the Jewish people, he is also considerate of their laws and practices. As both a Jewish man and a Roman citizen, Paul is uniquely equipped to minister to both Jewish and Gentile people. Amidst all the many challenges Paul faced in his mission to share the gospel, he still trusts God is helping him in both big and small ways.
After hearing the message of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus, Festus believes that Paul is insane. Despite what Festus thinks, Agrippa is more understanding of Paul’s message. Although Agrippa does not instantly believe in Jesus as the Savior, Paul says he will continue to share the gospel with Agrippa and hope for his conversion. Agrippa finds Paul innocent and tells Festus that if Paul had not appealed to Caesar, he would have been set free.
ACTS 27
PAUL SAILS TO ROME + SHIPWRECKS
Traveling to his trial before Caesar, Paul sets sail from Jerusalem to Rome. Julius, a Roman soldier, is appointed to watch Paul, but Julius is kind to him and allows Paul’s friends to provide for him.
As they are sailing, they face great storms. Paul attempts to warn the people on board, but they do not listen to him. When things get worse, they start throwing cargo overboard in an attempt to lessen the weight of the boat. Paul shares a message from God, saying they will crash, but their lives will be spared. Before they crash, Paul encourages them to eat the food they have stored.
Just as Paul stated, the ship is run aground by a reef. When they crash, some are able to swim ashore while others use planks to make it safely to dry land.
ACTS 28
PAUL CONTINUES SPREADING THE MESSAGE OF JESUS IN ROME
After the shipwreck, the passengers realize they are on the island of Malta. The people there are surprisingly welcoming and provide a fire for the shipwrecked travelers. While they are collecting wood, Paul is bitten by a viper. The people are alarmed, thinking he will die from the snake’s venom. The people assume the bite is a result of Paul’s previous wrongdoings, calling him a criminal and a murderer. Instead of swelling and dying, Paul is perfectly fine from the bite!
After seeing this, they are amazed by his abilities. The people go from hating Paul to worshiping him in a matter of minutes. Regardless of the circumstances, people tend to respond to Paul with strong opinions. While in Malta, Paul heals many sick people and greatly blesses the people on the island. Three months later, Paul and the other travelers continue their journey to Rome.
Once they arrive, Paul is allowed to live by himself but remains under the watchful eye of Julius, the guard assigned to Paul. Paul gathers the local Jewish leaders and appeals to them. Paul shares his plea of innocence, stating that he has not broken Jewish or Roman law.
In Rome, Paul continues preaching the news of Jesus and sharing the message of salvation with many. Although Paul’s arrest could have led to discouragement, Paul trusts God and is able to share the gospel with the people of Rome. Paul continues living in Rome for two years, sharing the news of Jesus with as many people as possible.