Paul now turns his words toward the Ephesian elders and urges them to be faithful in preaching the truth because there are many who will seek to destroy the church through false teaching (20:25-30). These leaders, whom Paul refers to as overseers, had a responsibility to protect the people entrusted to them by closely guarding the word of the Lord. There have always been those who twist and misuse the Bible to fit their own belief system; however, the church must stand against the compromise of truth. Paul commands these leaders to “watch” (20:31).
After giving a few more words of challenge, Paul prays with all of these men and they are sorrowful to see him depart (20:32-38). Paul boarded a ship bound for Jerusalem and on his journey they stopped in Tyre where he found some disciples who told him through the Spirit not to go to Jerusalem (21:1-4). They had foreseen the persecution Paul would face in Jerusalem, so they were attempting to stop him from encountering this hardship. Even though Paul understood their concern, he felt that he needed to go to Jerusalem so he departed and eventually arrived in Caesarea where he stayed in the house of Philip (21:5-8). While staying at the home of Philip, a prophet named Agabus (see Acts 11:27-30) came there and warned Paul of his upcoming imprisonment at Jerusalem (21:9-11). Many began pleading with Paul to suspend his journey to Jerusalem, but he told them that he was “ready not only to be bound, but also die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (21:12-13). Paul was on a mission and willing to do whatever it took to spread the message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. With all of his heart, Paul desired to be used by God for the furtherance of the gospel even if preaching would cost him his life. How far am I willing to go for the sake of Jesus Christ?
Upon his arrival in Jerusalem, Paul met with the disciples and told them of all the things which had been occurring among the Gentiles (21:15-19). The people rejoiced for all the Gentiles who were being saved, but they quickly warned Paul about the Judaizers (believed salvation comes through obedience to the law of Moses), who knew he was in Jerusalem (21:20-21). Paul was not against the law of Moses, but he did not believe keeping it could bring salvation. Throughout his ministry, Paul always tried to be respectful to the Jewish traditions such as making Timothy, a Gentile, get circumcised so that he could more effectively minister to the Jews (see Acts 16:1-3).
Since the leaders in the church at Jerusalem were concerned for Paul, they asked him to take a Nazarite vow (symbolized a total commitment to God) and go through a Jewish purification ritual in order to show them that he “walk[ed] orderly and keep the law”(21:22-24). James was not requiring Paul to disregard the decision of the Jerusalem council (see Acts 15), but was only asking him to be respectful of Jewish tradition. Paul began this seven day purification ritual and on the final day he entered the temple but they immediately took him captive and began beating him with every intention of putting him to death (21:26-31). When a Roman commander heard what was happening, he took soldiers to the scene, but could not discern why they were beating this man so he commanded them to imprison him (21:32-34). The crowd became so violent against Paul that he had to be carried by the soldiers to the barracks while the mob shouted, “Away with him!” (21:35-36)
When I see Paul’s passion for Jesus Christ, I am convicted of my lack of devotion to Him. Although I profess belief in His saving power, I struggle with making my life fully available to Him to be used however He sees fit.
Dear God, use my life in whatever way You want.
