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And when we had finished our course (completed our mission) from Tyre, we came to
Ptolemais (Tol-o-mais), and saluted (greeted) the brethren, and abode with them one day.

Ptolemais is a very old and famous city in the ancient world. In Judges 1:31, it is the city of
Accho. When Alexander sailed into its natural harbor, he named it Ptolemais for his famous
general Ptolemy, who later became the ruler of Egypt. Today it is the famous seaport of Haifa.
Word had already spread about Paul coming, and the disciples in Ptolemais came out to greet
him.

PAUL WARNED BY PHILIP’S DAUGHTERS

Act 21:8 On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and
entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea (cf. 10:1):
and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven (original
deacons, 6:5); and abode with him.

Philip had been used by the Lord to fulfill the prophecy of Jesus “into Samaria” (1:8) in Acts 8
where he held the Samaritan revival. He also led the Ethiopian eunuch to the Lord (8:26-39)
and based himself in Caesarea after being translated by the Spirit to Azotus (8:40).

For some time, Paul remains in Caesarea and receives two warnings about continuing to
Jerusalem.

Act 21:9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.

Philip’s daughters are not prophets like Agabus, but they are known to move in the Holy Spirit
and prophecy. They fulfill Joel 2:28. They are proficient in the ways of the Holy Spirit, coming
from the home of an evangelist. The phrase “did prophesy” in this passage indicates that
Philip’s daughters were not new to operating in prophecy; it also indicates they prophesied at
that very moment over Paul.

Since Paul has been warned against going to Jerusalem, it can be assumed from the context
that these daughters also prophesied to Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

Act 21:9 Women and New Testament Ministry (Philip’s Daughters), BIBLICAL WOMEN.
his reference to Philip’s daughters’ each exercising the gifts of prophecy makes clear
that women did bring God’s word by the power of the Holy Spirit and that such ministry
was fully accepted in the early church. This is reinforced by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:5,
where he directs 1) that a woman may “prophesy,” but 2) that she must be properly
“covered,” that is, rightly related to her husband or other spiritual authority, a
regulation incumbent upon all spiritual leaders---male or female (see 1 Timothy 3:1-13).

It is puzzling why the place of women in ministry is contested by some in the church.
Women had an equal place in the Upper Room, awaiting the Holy Spirit’s coming and