How do we know what God’s will is?
Our Acts story continues: Paul leaves Miletus for Jerusalem and stays at the house of Philip the Evangelist.
A couple days after Paul arrives at Philip’s home a prophet named Agabus comes to visit Paul. Agabus takes Paul’s belt, wraps it around his own hands and feet and says, “The Holy Spirit says, “In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.” The people gathered in Philip’s home pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem after they heard this word, but Paul responds, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart. I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Paul makes it clear that he is willing to risk his life to give glory to His Lord, Jesus Christ.
In Acts 21:14, we read that when the group could not dissuade him they gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”
The Holy Spirit had given Paul a warning through Agabus – that he would be captured by the Jewish leaders and then turned over to the Gentiles.
So this is the question: Was Paul disobedient when he decided to go on to Jerusalem? Were the words of the Holy Spirit a warning to say do not go to Jerusalem or could they perhaps be words of warning meant to prepare Paul for what was coming? Could these words be asking Paul’s obedience in going to Jerusalem but God in His goodness is giving Paul a heads up of what he will suffer for Christ’s sake in obeying.
Theologians are split on this but here are some reasons to see Paul’s decision to go on to Jerusalem as being obedient. We will use Bible texts:
Acts 9:15-16 – from Paul’s conversion story we hear God tell Ananias that Paul will be a chosen instrument to proclaim God’s name to many and God goes on to say, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
Paul as Saul had caused many believers to suffer, but as a transformed believer in Jesus – Paul would come to see that suffering would come into his life over and over again. (Beaten, ship wrecks, jailed, and many more difficulties) these were all part of Paul’s life. Paul understood suffering.
Acts 20:22-23 – When Paul had announced to the leaders in the Miletus meeting that it was time for him to move on, he said, “I am COMPELLED by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are ahead.”
He already knew that difficulties were ahead. The Holy Spirit had already warned him, nonetheless he says he was compelled. This text speaks nothing from God about NOT going – only that ahead were hardships.
Acts 23:11 – Several chapters after today’s text, Jesus speaks to Paul, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome.”
These are more warning words – no correction for disobedience, but rather kindness and encouragement for Paul – Take Courage! The Lord says! These words are words of kindness to prepare Paul for what more is to come.
What we can learn from Paul:
Comfort is NOT job #1. Comfort is not our primary focus.
Obedience IS job #1. We are not saved by obedience, but by the death and resurrection of Jesus our Savior. Saved by and through Him alone, by grace. However, when we know Him – we desire to follow Him. Salvation leads us to obedience.
God’s glory is paramount – What matters MOST is that our glorious God receives glory in each of our lives. In thanks and gratitude for what the Savior bought for us (life forever with God) and so we give Him glory with our lives in response to His gift of salvation to us.
God’s plan is incredible – our destiny is to be made new – transformed with glorified bodies with Christ forever.
As a result of Paul going to Jerusalem he
WAS ACCUSED FALSELY
WAS ATTACKED
HIS LIFE WAS ALMOST TAKEN
HE WAS PUT IN CHAINS
SOME PLOTTED TO KILL HIM
HE WAS JAILED FOR 2 YEARS
THEN SENT BY SHIP BACK TO ROME AS A PRISONER TO APPEAR BEFORE THE EMPEROR
But look at what happened as a result of Paul going to Jerusalem – Paul’s Gospel testimony went to:
Huge temple crowds
Sanhedrin
2 governors
King Agrippa
Emperor Nero
So to the question: Did Paul disobey by going to Jerusalem? Will we see the Holy Spirit warning as God’s way of giving Paul the strength for what was going to happen in Jerusalem, because God wanted to use Paul’s difficulties to get the Gospel message to many who otherwise may not have heard.
As Paul walked faithfully before God, God used his faith in remarkable ways.
God uses our faithful walk before Him in remarkable ways as well.
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