I don’t want to be repetitive in these Lessons. But I just “saw” something that impressed me, so much so that my fingers are “itching” to type!
We go briefly back to the beginning of Paul’s second missionary journey. He intended to go east … and the Holy Spirit forbade him!
Acts 16:6 … “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,”
One verse later, Acts 16:7 … “After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.”
And Paul obeyed this injunction, this prohibition!
The Holy Spirit, through a vision (Acts 16:9), led Paul and his company to travel west! Toward Macedonia (Philippi and Thessalonica), toward Greece (Athens and Corinth).
What guidance!
And what obedience!
Now … to today’s Text … Acts 21.
Paul and his coworkers are leaving Miletus. Where he preached that classic didactic (teaching) Sermon to the Ephesians Church leaders. (The Source of our past ten Lessons.)
“And they (those Ephesian elders) accompanied him (Paul) unto the ship. And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: and finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days …” Acts 20:38 through Acts 21:4, traveling mostly by ship.
Then Paul intended to go south. (Much as he had intended to go east earlier.) But the Holy Spirit intervened again! (He has a way of doing that!)
Those disciples in Tyre … “And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul THROUGH THE SPIRIT, that he should NOT GO to Jerusalem.” Acts 21:4
That first “NO” came from the Holy Spirit (via a vision) back in Acts 16 and Paul acquiesced, promptly obeyed.
This second “NO” came from the Holy Spirit (via a Brother in Christ, several of them) and Paul paid them absolutely no attention whatsoever!
Paul (I am wondering now if he’s in God’s Will) still heading southward (to Jerusalem, where he will be arrested … “The next day we (Luke among them) that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, THUS SAITH THE HOLY GHOST, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem BIND (imprison) the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both WE, and THEY of that place, besought (urged, begged) him NOT TO GO to Jerusalem.” Acts 21:8-12
Two more Holy Spirit dispatched prohibitions, “NO!”
Yet Paul was determined.
And to Jerusalem he went.
Luke meticulously records: “And when he (Paul) would not be persuaded, we ceased.” Acts 21:14
Second Journey … the NO was obeyed.
End of the Third Journey (because Paul cut it short to make this trip) the triple “NO” was ignored!
Maybe what I am saying … the Holy Spirit deserves to be obeyed “all the time!” Lest we quench Him (1 Thessalonians 5:19), lest we “cool” His warming Presence!
Lest we grieve Him (Ephsians 4:30), literally hurt His Feelings, or cause Him pain!
Wow!
I think even Paul may not have been perfect!
I know I’m not.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
“TRUST” and “OBEY” … the two key words of the Christian life!
Are you an obedient Christian?
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