Arrested Again

Acts chapter 21

     "When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 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 (v. 13).'"  

     "When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, 'The Lord's will be done (v. 14).'" 

(C)  The will of the majority or even unanimous is not necessarily God's will. Paul was not indifferent to his friends; he could not change his resolute purpose - to be willing to suffer imprisonment and even to die for the name of the Lord Jesus. Disciples and the prophet Agabus prophesied of the suffering to come. Paul did not accept their sincere interpretation. He relied on the personal guidance of the Holy Spirit and God's Word to him directly.

A Roman Citizen 

Acts chapter 22

     "Then the Lord said to me, Go. I will send you far away to the Gentiles (v. 21)."

(C)  Paul, having returned to Jerusalem, beaten again and arrested again, was able to address the crowd. He retold how the Lord converted him (Acts chapter 9). When he said the words in verse 21, above, the crowd went baserk. "Rid the earth of him! He's not fit to live!  

     The Roman commander took Paul into the barracks, apologized and served him cookies and coffee. No. No. No. He commanded Paul be flogged and questioned to learn why the people were shouting like this. As Paul was prepped for flogging, he asked, "Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?"

Monday: Before the court