Acts | Chapter 21 : vimarsana.com
Acts | Chapter 21
Read Acts Chapter 21
For a printable version of this Bible Study, click HERE.
What stands out to you as you read this chapter?
Are there any words or phrases that you feel are key ideas in this chapter?
What other features do you wish you knew more about (culture, religion, customs, etc.) in order to help you understand this chapter?
How do you think this chapter fits in the larger story of Acts and the Bible as a whole?
ACT OUT: How does the Holy Spirit want to use this text in your life, for others or for yourself?
Christians have their ideas about what it means to be led by the Spirit. How do you discern the will of God? Though Acts 21 doesn’t intend to teach that subject, we learn something from watching Paul respond to prophetic words in Tyre (Acts 21:4) and Caesarea (Agabus in Acts 21:10-11). He allows tension to exist between the prophetic urgings and pleas of fellow believers and his own convictions. Through the same Holy Spirit, Paul had developed a theology of suffering and glory (Romans 8:16-18). Now, he saw the opportunity to live that out. So Paul interpreted these proclamations and Spirit-illumined warnings consistent with his own resolve to suffer and die, following in his Lord’s footsteps (Acts 21:13-14), and that meant going to Jerusalem, despite the warnings.
When Paul got to Jerusalem, many Jewish believers were in danger of falling into confusion, some claiming Paul taught that Jews should forsake their Jewishness and the law of Moses (Acts 21:21). Acts 15 had said that Gentiles need not become Jewish, but Paul (a Jew) was willing to live as a Jew among Jews (1 Corinthians 9:20), so he went to the Temple as he had been asked to do (Acts 21:23-26). Things were going great, until a group of Paul-haters came from Ephesus and started trouble (Acts 21:27-29).
The chapter ends on one of the biggest cliffhangers! Falsely accused of defiling the Temple (Acts 21:28), Paul again was at the center of a riot and was attacked by a mob (Acts 21:30-31). In all the mayhem, he was arrested by the commander of a Roman regiment who thought he was a criminal (Acts 21:38). Paul addressed him in Greek, told him he was a citizen of Tarsus, and the whole scene changed (Acts 21:39), with cooler heads prevailing. The scene closes with Paul, standing on the steps of a Roman fortress in chains, motioning to the crowd for silence. Soon, a holy hush. Paul begins to speak.
Prayer: Lord, let me trust your Holy Spirit to lead me as I follow the convictions clarified in your written word. May I resolve to suffer with you, Jesus, that I might be glorified with you! Amen
For a printable version of this Bible Study, click HERE.
What stands out to you as you read this chapter?
Are there any words or phrases that you feel are key ideas in this chapter?
What other features do you wish you knew more about (culture, religion, customs, etc.) in order to help you understand this chapter?
How do you think this chapter fits in the larger story of Acts and the Bible as a whole?
ACT OUT: How does the Holy Spirit want to use this text in your life, for others or for yourself?
Christians have their ideas about what it means to be led by the Spirit. How do you discern the will of God? Though Acts 21 doesn’t intend to teach that subject, we learn something from watching Paul respond to prophetic words in Tyre (Acts 21:4) and Caesarea (Agabus in Acts 21:10-11). He allows tension to exist between the prophetic urgings and pleas of fellow believers and his own convictions. Through the same Holy Spirit, Paul had developed a theology of suffering and glory (Romans 8:16-18). Now, he saw the opportunity to live that out. So Paul interpreted these proclamations and Spirit-illumined warnings consistent with his own resolve to suffer and die, following in his Lord’s footsteps (Acts 21:13-14), and that meant going to Jerusalem, despite the warnings.
When Paul got to Jerusalem, many Jewish believers were in danger of falling into confusion, some claiming Paul taught that Jews should forsake their Jewishness and the law of Moses (Acts 21:21). Acts 15 had said that Gentiles need not become Jewish, but Paul (a Jew) was willing to live as a Jew among Jews (1 Corinthians 9:20), so he went to the Temple as he had been asked to do (Acts 21:23-26). Things were going great, until a group of Paul-haters came from Ephesus and started trouble (Acts 21:27-29).
The chapter ends on one of the biggest cliffhangers! Falsely accused of defiling the Temple (Acts 21:28), Paul again was at the center of a riot and was attacked by a mob (Acts 21:30-31). In all the mayhem, he was arrested by the commander of a Roman regiment who thought he was a criminal (Acts 21:38). Paul addressed him in Greek, told him he was a citizen of Tarsus, and the whole scene changed (Acts 21:39), with cooler heads prevailing. The scene closes with Paul, standing on the steps of a Roman fortress in chains, motioning to the crowd for silence. Soon, a holy hush. Paul begins to speak.
Prayer: Lord, let me trust your Holy Spirit to lead me as I follow the convictions clarified in your written word. May I resolve to suffer with you, Jesus, that I might be glorified with you! Amen
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