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THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 21

PAUL IS WARNED

THE CHALLENGE OF CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

When we are warned by the Holy Spirit, it is important to obey regardless of our own personal
desires, even when our desires appear to be good. The Holy Spirit is sent to lead us, guide us,
and show us things to come. He will help us avoid problems in our lives if we are willing to
listen, even if His guidance is contrary to our own set agenda.

We must also guard against serving God by the law rather than by grace. Religion will always
attempt to blind us to the freedom of living by the grace of God, emphasizing self-efforts rather
than God’s enabling power.

SEVERAL WARNINGS ABOUT JERUSALEM (1-14)

During their journeys, Paul and his companions land in Tyre where they remain for seven days.
The disciples in Tyre warn Paul, by the Holy Spirit, not to travel to Jerusalem. Paul and his team
then voyage to Ptolemais and Caesarea. They enter the home of an evangelist named Philip
who has four daughters who prophesy to Paul. Then a prophet named Agabus comes from
Judea and prophesies to Paul, warning him of what awaits him if he travels to Jerusalem.
Finally, everyone present pleads with Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but he is determined, his
mind is made up, and he will not be persuaded.

DISCIPLES IN TYRE WARN PAUL

Act 21:1 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a
straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

This chapter begins the account of Paul’s great failure. From this time on, Paul is a prisoner.
His prison time begins in Jerusalem (21-23), moves to Caesarea (24-26), and ends in Rome (27-
28). While Paul is bound, the gospel is never bound because the Word can never be stopped.
The message continues even when the messenger is in chains.

Paul has been warned in many cities not to go to Jerusalem (20-23); he will be warned by the
saints in Tyre (21:3-4), by Philip’s daughters (8-9), by Agabus (10-11), and his own companions
(12). Paul rejects their guidance. He becomes hardheaded by rejecting the guidance of the
Holy Spirit and accepting the guidance of carnal men. He will take a vow in the streets of
Jerusalem (24).

As Paul leaves the pastors of Ephesus, it is an emotional departure. It is difficult on Paul and
the elders to separate and for Paul to go on his way. He and his team will revisit a few resort