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PAUL AND HIS TEAM GLADLY RECEIVED

Act 21:15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem.

Among the baggage is the offering for the saints at Jerusalem from the believers of Macedonia
(Romans 15: 25-26). They go “up” to Jerusalem because it is an ascent from Caesarea to
Jerusalem.

Act 21:16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a
certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.

A group of disciples went with Paul and his team to Jerusalem. Mnason was a Greek Cypriot
like Barnabas. The group spends their last night in his home before they leave Caesarea.

Act 21:17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

Paul is now out of God’s will. God has been warning Paul not to go, and Paul has not heeded.
At the gates of Jerusalem, Paul is disobedient and officially out of God’s protection. Money
came with Paul, and this is one reason he is gladly received. This offering has been received
over a period of time from Greece and Asia. In verse 17, Paul meets the brethren. In verse 18,
he will meet the church leadership.

PAUL MEETS WITH THE ELDERS

Act 21:18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

Jerusalem has weak leadership. They do not stand up for the Word, and legalism has entered
in. Instead of defending grace, they have allowed born-again Pharisees to run the church, and
they have put these Jewish believers under the law of Moses for salvation and spirituality.
These legalistic leaders were truly born again as the church was growing (6:7), but they are not
correctly taught and so bring the law of Moses into the church. Because of their knowledge of
the Old Testament, few withstand them and they become the church leaders.

Act 21:19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done
among the Gentiles through his ministry.

And when he (Paul) had saluted (greeted) them, he declared particularly (in detail) what things
God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

In the past, this has always worked (11:18; 15:6-19). Peter and Paul have told the church at
Jerusalem about the miracles, signs, and wonders God has performed among the Gentiles.
They have also been saved and filled with the Holy Spirit and spoken with tongues just as the
saints at Jerusalem. This has always caused a great amount of praise and admission of grace.

Act 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, "You see,
brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for
the law;