Dying for Jesus Saves You-Acts 21

Acts of the Apostles, New Testament, Sermons

Then Paul answered, “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” (Ac 21:13).
  • Would you die for Christ? Would I die for Christ?
  1. Where did Paul and his companions go after leaving Miletus (Ac 21:1-9)? Why (Ac 19:21; 20:22-23; 11:28; Rom 15:25-26, 31; 1 Cor 16:1-3)? Was it God’s will for Paul not to go to Jerusalem (Ac 21:4)?
  2. What did Agabus prophecy to Paul in Caesarea (Ac 21:10-11; 11:27-28)? How did the Christians and Paul respond (Ac 21:12-14)?
    • Since no one really likes to die, what benefit is there in dying for Christ (Ac 21:13; 20:24; Phil 3:10-11; Jn 12:24; 1 Cor 15:31, 36; Mt 10:39; 16:25; Mk 8:35; Lk 17:33; Jn 12:25)?
    • How do you personally, practically and existentially discern what God’s will is (Ac 21:14; 1 Th 5:18; 4:3-5; Rom 12:1-2; Ps 119:105; Mic 6:8; Eph 5:17-20; 1 Tim 2:3-4; Jn 6:38-40; Lk 9:23; Mt 6:33)?
  3. Who accompanied Paul on his journey to Jerusalem (Ac 21:15-16; 8:1-3; 11:19)? How were they received (Ac 21:17-20a)? Who are the “many thousands of Jews” who “are zealous for the law” (Ac 21:20b)? What was Paul accused of teaching (Ac 21:21, 29)? What was their proposal and why (Ac 21:22-24, 25-26; 1 Cor 9:19-20, 22-23)? Are “purification rites” (Ac 21:24) necessary/essential for Christians?
  4. Who stirred up the whole crowd against Paul (Ac 21:27; 19:8-9)? What was he accused of and what did they do (Ac 21:28-31, 36)? Who rescued Paul (Ac 21:31-32; 23:26)?  How (Ac 21:33-35)? How did Paul experience what Jesus did (Ac 21:36; Mt 27:22-23; Mk 15:12-14; Lk 23:20-21)? Use his Roman citizenship to his advantage (Ac 21:37-40, 22:22-29)?
Paul‘s final journey to Jerusalem and Rome (Acts 21-28) concentrates on Paul’s imprisonment and trial. Acts 21 records the final stages of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem “to finish the race and complete the task” given to him (Ac 19:21; 20:22-24). After an initial, informal defense in the temple (Ac 21:37-22:21), there are 4 detailed accounts of trial or legal inquires [Sanhedrin (Ac 22:30-23:10); Governor Felix (Ac 24:1-23); Governor Festus (Ac 25:6-12); King Agrippa (Ac 25:23-26:32), together with a private discussion between Festus and Agrippa about the case (Ac 25:13-22). These unjust trials emphasize the unjust suffering Paul was subjected to  in his last few years for the sake of Christ (Ac 9:15-16). Persecution and suffering form a dominant part of Paul’s witness to Christ in Acts 21-28, which has 4 persecution themes:
  1. Persecution continues to stem from Jewish unbelief.
  2. The witness is persecuted because of his belief in the resurrection (Ac 23:6; 24:15; 26:6-7; 28:20).
  3. Persecution occurs within the context of divine providence.
  4. The witness to Jesus is persecuted in continuity with Jesus.
As an active apologist for the Christian faith, Paul is undoubtedly the greatest of the early Christian leaders and missionaries.
Paul’s Final Journey: To Jerusalem and Rome (Acts 21-28). Paul’s return to Jerusalem (21:1-36).
    1. Paul concludes his journey to Jerusalem (21:1-16). Paul’s 3rd missionary tour comes to a conclusion.
      1. From Miletus to Tyre, where Paul meets disciples in Tyre (21:1-6) and Caesarea (21:7-15), who express genuine concern for his welfare Ac 21:4, 10-12).
      2. From Tyre to Jerusalem (21:7-16): Paul meets Philip (Ac 21:8), Agabus the prophet (Ac 21:10; 11:28) and Mnason, an “early disciple” (Ac 21:16).
  1. Paul experiences conflict in Jerusalem and was captured (21:17-40).
    1. Meeting the Jerusalem elders: A well-meaning proposal (21:17-26). Paul is welcomed gladly (Ac 21:17) but then is informed of widespread suspicion among Jewish Christians (Ac 21:20-21). Paul is determined to face inevitable suffering (Ac 21:13-14).
    2. Misrepresented, falsely accused and attacked (21:27-32).
    3. Arrested and questioned (21:33-40). Paul gets permission to address the mob (21:37-40).(21:17-26).

References:

  1. Osborne, Grant. Acts. Verse by Verse. 2019. Mission in Ephesus (18:23-20:1).
  2. Witherington III, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles. A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. 1998. Congregating at Corinth (18:1-23).
  3. Stott, John. The Message of Acts. 1990. Through the Bible through the year, Daily reflections from Genesis to Revelation. 2006. The Apostle to the Gentiles (13:1-21:17). Corinth and Ephesus (18:1-19:41). More about Ephesus (20:1-21:17).
  4. Peterson, David G. The Acts of the Apostles. The Pillar NT commentary. 2009. The world in Ephesus: The climax of Paul’s mission as a free man (18:23-20:38). Provoking the idolaters (19:21-40).
  5. Marshall, I. Howard. Acts. Tyndale NT commentaries (TNTC). 1980. Paul’s missionary campaign in Asia (18:18-20:38).
  6. Wright, N.T. Acts for Everyone, Part 2. Chapters 13-28. 2008.
Quotes on dying for Christ:
  1. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” – Tertullian
  2. “The way to deeper knowledge of God is through the lonely valleys of soul poverty and abnegation of all things. The blessed ones who possess the Kingdom are they who have repudiated every external thing and have rooted from their hearts all sense of possessing. These are the ‘poor in spirit.'” – A.W. Tozer
  3. “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” – C.S. Lewis
  4. “I have one desire now – to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.” – Elisabeth Elliot
  5. “The gospel of Jesus Christ is a summons to renounce all commitments to the treasures and values of this world and to become his utterly devoted followers, relying on him for wisdom, guidance, and security, and obeying his teachings, even when it means the loss of friends, family, or life itself.” – John Stott
  6. “The world is not a playground; it is a battleground. Salvation comes not by playing, but by fighting. Every true Christian has his war.” – A.W. Tozer
  7. The Fellowship of the Unashamed: A Martyr’s Prayer. “I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit’s power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made – I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear.”
Is your knowledge of Scripture thorough (Ac 18:24)? Can you teach about Jesus accurately (Ac 18:25)? Can you explain Christian faith [more] adequately (Ac 18:26)? Is there anything missing, or can you detect gaps in your faith and of your knowledge and understanding of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit (Ac 19:2)? What do you think you need to be [more] thorough, accurate, adequate, complete (Ac 9:4-6; Mt 7:7-8; Dt 4:29; Jer 29:13; Isa 55:6)?
  1. After leaving Miletus, Paul and his companions sailed to Tyre, where they spent several days. They then traveled to Caesarea and stayed with Philip the evangelist (Acts 20:22-23, 21:4).
  2. Agabus prophesied that Paul would be bound and handed over to the Gentiles in Jerusalem. Paul responded by declaring that he was ready to suffer for the name of Jesus (Acts 21:10-14).
  3. Paul was accompanied by some of the disciples from Caesarea, including Mnason, who hosted them in Jerusalem. Upon arriving, they met with James and the elders of the church (Acts 21:15-17).
  4. Some zealous Jews in Jerusalem accused Paul of teaching against the law and the temple, and they stirred up the crowd against him. Paul took steps to try to appease them by undergoing a purification rite and paying for the expenses of four men who had taken vows (Acts 21:27-31).
  5. The charge against Paul was that he had brought Gentiles into the temple, which was considered a violation of Jewish law. When the crowd became violent, the Roman soldiers intervened and arrested Paul. He used his Roman citizenship to demand a trial and protection from mistreatment (Acts 21:32-40, 22:22-29).
  1. Ananias was the high priest who presided over Paul’s trial before the Sanhedrin. Paul accused him of being a hypocrite and a whitewashed wall (Acts 23:1-5).
  2. Paul’s nephew learned of a plot to kill him, and he reported it to the Roman commander, who arranged for Paul to be escorted to Caesarea under heavy guard (Acts 23:12-35).
  3. Felix was the Roman governor of Judea. Paul stayed in custody under his supervision for two years because Felix hoped to receive a bribe from him and because he wanted to curry favor with the Jewish leaders (Acts 23:23-26:32).
  4. Paul defended himself before King Agrippa by giving his testimony and declaring his belief in the resurrection of the dead. Agrippa was impressed but did not release him (Acts 26:1-32).
  5. The book of Acts ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28:30-31). The Bible does not give a detailed account of Paul’s ultimate fate, but tradition holds that he was eventually executed by the Romans.
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