Church History Date: A.D.57 - 59
17When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly. 18The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality." 26The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.
The period which had been looked forward to for months with prayerful anxiety had now arrived, and Paul was to know, without further delay, whether or not the service which he had for Jerusalem would be accepted by the saints (Romans 15:31). To his unspeakable relief, the historian was able to say That they had been well received. If Luke had given any account of the contribution Paul was bringing, we should have expected him to say something more definite about its reception than is implied in this remark. But, as he saw fit to omit all mention of the enterprise, we are at liberty to infer, from the glad reception given to the messengers, that the gift they bore was also welcome. The main object of Paul's visit and of his prayers was now accomplished. He had finished this much of his course and his ministry with joy, and his heart was relieved from its chief anxiety. Whether the Lord would now accept his prayer for deliverance from the disobedient in Jerusalem, he felt to be a matter of minor importance.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem; Acts 21:1-16 Part 6
Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57
He repeated his resolution to go forward, notwithstanding: "Why do you weep like this? I am ready to suffer whatever is appointed for me. I am fully determined to go, whatever comes of it, and therefore it is to no purpose for you to oppose it. I am willing to suffer, and therefore why are you unwilling that I should suffer? "I am prepared for it, by a clear conscience, a firm confidence in God, a holy contempt of the world and the body, a lively faith in Christ, and a joyful hope of eternal life. I can bid it welcome, as we do a friend that we look for, and have made preparation for. I can, through grace, not only bear it, but rejoice in it." You are told that I must be bound at Jerusalem, and you would have me keep away for fear of this. I tell you, "I am ready not only to be bound, but, if the will of God be so, to die at Jerusalem; not only to lose my liberty, but to lose my life." It is our wisdom to think of the worst that may befall us, and to prepare accordingly, that we may stand complete in all the will of God.7
The journey had been accomplished in time for the feast of Pentecost. This is made to appear by enumerating the days spent on the journey from Philippi. Leaving that city immediately after the days of unleavened bread, which was seven days after the Passover, he reached Troas in five days, where he spent seven (Acts 20:6). Four days were occupied in the passage from Troas to Miletus (Acts 20:13-15). Two are sufficient to allow for the stay at Miletus (Cmt. on Acts 20:17). In three he sailed from Miletus to Patara, which place he left the same day he reached it (Acts 21:1-2); and two more days, with favorable weather, would take him to Tyre. There he spent seven days, and three in the journey then to Caesarea (Acts 21:4-8). Allowing two days more for the journey from Caesarea to Jerusalem, we have enumerated only forty-two of the forty-nine days intervening between the Passover and Pentecost, leaving seven for the stay at the house of Philip (Act 21:8). That the feast of Pentecost did transpire immediately after his arrival in Jerusalem, is indicated by the immense multitude of Jews then assembled there, and the presence of some from the province of Asia, who had known Paul in Ephesus (Acts 21:27). Nothing but the annual feasts brought together in Jerusalem the Jews from distant provinces.
He repeated his resolution to go forward, notwithstanding: "Why do you weep like this? I am ready to suffer whatever is appointed for me. I am fully determined to go, whatever comes of it, and therefore it is to no purpose for you to oppose it. I am willing to suffer, and therefore why are you unwilling that I should suffer? "I am prepared for it, by a clear conscience, a firm confidence in God, a holy contempt of the world and the body, a lively faith in Christ, and a joyful hope of eternal life. I can bid it welcome, as we do a friend that we look for, and have made preparation for. I can, through grace, not only bear it, but rejoice in it." You are told that I must be bound at Jerusalem, and you would have me keep away for fear of this. I tell you, "I am ready not only to be bound, but, if the will of God be so, to die at Jerusalem; not only to lose my liberty, but to lose my life." It is our wisdom to think of the worst that may befall us, and to prepare accordingly, that we may stand complete in all the will of God.7
The journey had been accomplished in time for the feast of Pentecost. This is made to appear by enumerating the days spent on the journey from Philippi. Leaving that city immediately after the days of unleavened bread, which was seven days after the Passover, he reached Troas in five days, where he spent seven (Acts 20:6). Four days were occupied in the passage from Troas to Miletus (Acts 20:13-15). Two are sufficient to allow for the stay at Miletus (Cmt. on Acts 20:17). In three he sailed from Miletus to Patara, which place he left the same day he reached it (Acts 21:1-2); and two more days, with favorable weather, would take him to Tyre. There he spent seven days, and three in the journey then to Caesarea (Acts 21:4-8). Allowing two days more for the journey from Caesarea to Jerusalem, we have enumerated only forty-two of the forty-nine days intervening between the Passover and Pentecost, leaving seven for the stay at the house of Philip (Act 21:8). That the feast of Pentecost did transpire immediately after his arrival in Jerusalem, is indicated by the immense multitude of Jews then assembled there, and the presence of some from the province of Asia, who had known Paul in Ephesus (Acts 21:27). Nothing but the annual feasts brought together in Jerusalem the Jews from distant provinces.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem; Acts 21:1-16 Part 5
Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57
Paul’s friends tried to dissuade him from going forward to Jerusalem. They showed a commendable affection for Paul, and a value for him, because of his great usefulness in the church. Yet there was a mixture of weakness, especially in those of Paul's company, who knew he undertook this journey by divine direction, and had seen with what resolution he had before broken through the like opposition. He reproves them for dissuading him. Here is a quarrel of love on both sides, and very sincere and strong affections clashing with each other. They love him dearly, and therefore oppose his resolution; he loves them dearly, and therefore chides them for opposing it: What do you mean; you to weep and try to break my heart? They were an offence to him, as Peter was to Christ, when, in a like case, he said, Master, spare yourself. Their weeping about him broke his heart. It was a temptation to him, it shocked him, it began to weaken and slacken his resolution, and caused him to entertain thoughts of giving in to them: "I know I am appointed to suffering, and you ought to animate and encourage me, and to say that which will strengthen my heart; but you, with your tears, break my heart, and discourage me. What do you mean by doing this? Has not our Master told us to take up our cross? And would you have me to avoid mine?" It was a trouble to him that they should so earnestly press him to that in which he could not gratify them without wronging his conscience. Paul was of a very tender spirit. As he was much in tears himself, so he had a compassionate regard to the tears of his friends; they made a great impression upon him, and would bring him almost to yield to anything. But now it breaks his heart, when he is under a necessity of denying the request of his weeping friends. It was an unkind kindness, a cruel pity, to torment him with their dissuasions, and to add affliction to his grief. When our friends are called out to sufferings, we shall show our love rather by comforting them than by sorrowing for them.
Paul’s friends tried to dissuade him from going forward to Jerusalem. They showed a commendable affection for Paul, and a value for him, because of his great usefulness in the church. Yet there was a mixture of weakness, especially in those of Paul's company, who knew he undertook this journey by divine direction, and had seen with what resolution he had before broken through the like opposition. He reproves them for dissuading him. Here is a quarrel of love on both sides, and very sincere and strong affections clashing with each other. They love him dearly, and therefore oppose his resolution; he loves them dearly, and therefore chides them for opposing it: What do you mean; you to weep and try to break my heart? They were an offence to him, as Peter was to Christ, when, in a like case, he said, Master, spare yourself. Their weeping about him broke his heart. It was a temptation to him, it shocked him, it began to weaken and slacken his resolution, and caused him to entertain thoughts of giving in to them: "I know I am appointed to suffering, and you ought to animate and encourage me, and to say that which will strengthen my heart; but you, with your tears, break my heart, and discourage me. What do you mean by doing this? Has not our Master told us to take up our cross? And would you have me to avoid mine?" It was a trouble to him that they should so earnestly press him to that in which he could not gratify them without wronging his conscience. Paul was of a very tender spirit. As he was much in tears himself, so he had a compassionate regard to the tears of his friends; they made a great impression upon him, and would bring him almost to yield to anything. But now it breaks his heart, when he is under a necessity of denying the request of his weeping friends. It was an unkind kindness, a cruel pity, to torment him with their dissuasions, and to add affliction to his grief. When our friends are called out to sufferings, we shall show our love rather by comforting them than by sorrowing for them.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem; Acts 21:1-16 Part 4
Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57
Paul and his company stayed for several days at Cæsarea. Why Paul saw fit to stay so long there, and to make so little haste at the latter end of his journey to Jerusalem, when he seemed so much in haste at the beginning of it, we cannot tell; but we are sure he did not stay either there or anywhere else to be idle; he measured his time by days, and numbered them. While he was there, Agabus the prophet came to Cæsarea from Judea; We have read about him before. It was he, who came from Jerusalem to Antioch, to foretell a general famine, (Acts 11:27-28). Notice how God dispenses his gifts variously. To Paul was given the word of wisdom and knowledge, as an apostle, by the Spirit, and the gifts of healing; to Agabus, and to Philip's daughters, was given prophecy, by the same Spirit, the foretelling of things to come, which came to pass according to the prediction. (See 1Corinthians 12:8, 10). It seemed as if Agabus came on purpose to Cæsarea, to meet Paul with this prophetic intelligence. 3. He foretold Paul's bonds at Jerusalem. Agabus took Paul's girdle, when he laid it by, or perhaps took it from about him, and with it bound first his own hands, and then his own feet, or perhaps bound his hands and feet together; this was designed both to confirm the prophecy (it was as sure to be done as if it were done already) and to affect those about him with it, because that which we see usually makes a greater impression upon us than that which we only hear about. Paul had this express warning given him of his troubles, that he might prepare for them, and that when they came they might be no surprise or terror to him; the general notice given us that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God should be of the same use to us.
Paul and his company stayed for several days at Cæsarea. Why Paul saw fit to stay so long there, and to make so little haste at the latter end of his journey to Jerusalem, when he seemed so much in haste at the beginning of it, we cannot tell; but we are sure he did not stay either there or anywhere else to be idle; he measured his time by days, and numbered them. While he was there, Agabus the prophet came to Cæsarea from Judea; We have read about him before. It was he, who came from Jerusalem to Antioch, to foretell a general famine, (Acts 11:27-28). Notice how God dispenses his gifts variously. To Paul was given the word of wisdom and knowledge, as an apostle, by the Spirit, and the gifts of healing; to Agabus, and to Philip's daughters, was given prophecy, by the same Spirit, the foretelling of things to come, which came to pass according to the prediction. (See 1Corinthians 12:8, 10). It seemed as if Agabus came on purpose to Cæsarea, to meet Paul with this prophetic intelligence. 3. He foretold Paul's bonds at Jerusalem. Agabus took Paul's girdle, when he laid it by, or perhaps took it from about him, and with it bound first his own hands, and then his own feet, or perhaps bound his hands and feet together; this was designed both to confirm the prophecy (it was as sure to be done as if it were done already) and to affect those about him with it, because that which we see usually makes a greater impression upon us than that which we only hear about. Paul had this express warning given him of his troubles, that he might prepare for them, and that when they came they might be no surprise or terror to him; the general notice given us that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God should be of the same use to us.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem; Acts 21:1-16 Part 3
Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57
The disciples of Tyre, though they were none of Paul's converts, yet they showed great respect for him. Though they had only been with him for seven days, yet it was, as if he had been some great man, they all came together, with their wives and children, solemnly to take leave of him, to beg his blessing, and to bring him as far on his way as the sea would permit them.
They parted with prayer, as Paul and the Ephesians elders had done.
We left one another, with affectionate embraces and expressions of love and grief. We boarded the ship and left, and they returned home again, each complaining that this is a parting world. When they arrived at Ptolemais, Paul asked for leave to go ashore there, to salute the brethren, to enquire of their state, and to testify his good will to them; though he could not stay long with them, yet he would not pass by them without paying his respects to them, and he stayed with them one day, perhaps it was a Lord's day; better a short stay than no visit at all.7
When Paul and his company arrived at Cæsarea, he planned to stay awhile because this was the place where the gospel was first preached to the Gentiles, and the Holy Spirit fell upon them. Their host was Philip the evangelist, whom we left at Cæsarea many years ago, after he had baptized the eunuch (Acts 8:40), and there we now find him again. He was originally a deacon, one of the seven that were chosen to serve tables, (Acts 6:5). He was now and had long been an evangelist. He was the one that went about to plant and water churches, as the apostles did. He gave himself, as they did, to the word and prayer. He had used the office of a deacon well. He had a house at Cæsarea, fit to entertain Paul and all his company, and he told them that they were welcome to it. They entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, and they stayed with him. Philip had four maiden daughters, who prophesied. It intimates that they prophesied of Paul's troubles at Jerusalem, as others had done, and dissuaded him from going; or perhaps they prophesied for his comfort and encouragement, in reference to the difficulties that were before him.
The disciples of Tyre, though they were none of Paul's converts, yet they showed great respect for him. Though they had only been with him for seven days, yet it was, as if he had been some great man, they all came together, with their wives and children, solemnly to take leave of him, to beg his blessing, and to bring him as far on his way as the sea would permit them.
They parted with prayer, as Paul and the Ephesians elders had done.
We left one another, with affectionate embraces and expressions of love and grief. We boarded the ship and left, and they returned home again, each complaining that this is a parting world. When they arrived at Ptolemais, Paul asked for leave to go ashore there, to salute the brethren, to enquire of their state, and to testify his good will to them; though he could not stay long with them, yet he would not pass by them without paying his respects to them, and he stayed with them one day, perhaps it was a Lord's day; better a short stay than no visit at all.7
When Paul and his company arrived at Cæsarea, he planned to stay awhile because this was the place where the gospel was first preached to the Gentiles, and the Holy Spirit fell upon them. Their host was Philip the evangelist, whom we left at Cæsarea many years ago, after he had baptized the eunuch (Acts 8:40), and there we now find him again. He was originally a deacon, one of the seven that were chosen to serve tables, (Acts 6:5). He was now and had long been an evangelist. He was the one that went about to plant and water churches, as the apostles did. He gave himself, as they did, to the word and prayer. He had used the office of a deacon well. He had a house at Cæsarea, fit to entertain Paul and all his company, and he told them that they were welcome to it. They entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, and they stayed with him. Philip had four maiden daughters, who prophesied. It intimates that they prophesied of Paul's troubles at Jerusalem, as others had done, and dissuaded him from going; or perhaps they prophesied for his comfort and encouragement, in reference to the difficulties that were before him.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem; Acts 21:1-16 Part 2
Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57
It is quite noticeable how difficult it was for Paul to separate himself from his friends from Ephesus. It was difficult for both sides; Paul did not want to leave them, and they did not want to part with him, and yet there was no remedy, but so it must be. And so it was.
What a prosperous voyage they had. Without any difficulty, they came with a straight course, by direct sailing, to Coos, a famous Grecian island, the next day to Rhodes, talked of for the Colossus there, then to Patara, a famous port, the metropolis of Lycia; here they very happily found a ship sailing over into Phenicia, the very course they were looking for. This ship that was bound for Phenicia (that is, Tyre) they took advantage of, went on board, and set sail for Tyre. In this voyage they discovered Cyprus, the island that Barnabas was part of, and which he took care of, and therefore Paul did not visit it, but we left it on the left hand, sailed upon the coast of Syria, and at length landed at Tyre, that celebrated mart of the nations, so it had been, but was now reduced; yet something of a trade it had still, for there the ship was to unlade her burden, and did so.
When Paul had arrived at Tyre, he found that he was along the coast of the land of Israel, and realized now that he could complete the remainder of his journey within the time frame he had originally planned. At Tyre he found disciples, some that had embraced the gospel, and professed the Christian faith. Paul, finding those disciples at Tyre, remained there seven days. They urged him to stay with them as long as he could. He had staid seven days at Troas and here so many days at Tyre, that he might be sure to spend one Lord's day with them, and so he might have an opportunity to preach publicly among them.
The disciples at Tyre were endowed with such gifts that they could by the Spirit foretell the troubles Paul would meet with at Jerusalem; for the Holy Spirit witnessed it in every city. This was something that would become a hot topic amongst the people when it came to pass. For this reason God saw fit to have most of it prophesied of before. In order that people's faith, instead of being offended, might be confirmed. With their ability to foresee his troubles, and out of love to him and concern for the church, especially the churches of the Gentiles, that could ill afford to lose him, they begged him not go to Jerusalem.
It is quite noticeable how difficult it was for Paul to separate himself from his friends from Ephesus. It was difficult for both sides; Paul did not want to leave them, and they did not want to part with him, and yet there was no remedy, but so it must be. And so it was.
What a prosperous voyage they had. Without any difficulty, they came with a straight course, by direct sailing, to Coos, a famous Grecian island, the next day to Rhodes, talked of for the Colossus there, then to Patara, a famous port, the metropolis of Lycia; here they very happily found a ship sailing over into Phenicia, the very course they were looking for. This ship that was bound for Phenicia (that is, Tyre) they took advantage of, went on board, and set sail for Tyre. In this voyage they discovered Cyprus, the island that Barnabas was part of, and which he took care of, and therefore Paul did not visit it, but we left it on the left hand, sailed upon the coast of Syria, and at length landed at Tyre, that celebrated mart of the nations, so it had been, but was now reduced; yet something of a trade it had still, for there the ship was to unlade her burden, and did so.
When Paul had arrived at Tyre, he found that he was along the coast of the land of Israel, and realized now that he could complete the remainder of his journey within the time frame he had originally planned. At Tyre he found disciples, some that had embraced the gospel, and professed the Christian faith. Paul, finding those disciples at Tyre, remained there seven days. They urged him to stay with them as long as he could. He had staid seven days at Troas and here so many days at Tyre, that he might be sure to spend one Lord's day with them, and so he might have an opportunity to preach publicly among them.
The disciples at Tyre were endowed with such gifts that they could by the Spirit foretell the troubles Paul would meet with at Jerusalem; for the Holy Spirit witnessed it in every city. This was something that would become a hot topic amongst the people when it came to pass. For this reason God saw fit to have most of it prophesied of before. In order that people's faith, instead of being offended, might be confirmed. With their ability to foresee his troubles, and out of love to him and concern for the church, especially the churches of the Gentiles, that could ill afford to lose him, they begged him not go to Jerusalem.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit Jerusalem; Acts 21:1-16 Part 1
Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57
1After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home. 7We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. 8Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. 9He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. 10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' "12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." 15After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.
Coos is a small island of the Grecian archipelago, at a short distance from the southwest point of Asia Minor. It is now called Stanchio. It was celebrated for its fertility, for wine and silkworms, and for the manufacture of silk and cotton of a beautiful texture. Rhodes is a an island to the south of the western extremity of Asia Minor, between Coos and Patara, about 46 miles long and 18 miles broad. Here the apostle probably landed on his way from Greece to Syria, on returning from his third missionary journey. Patara is a city on the south-west coast of Lycia. Here he found a larger vessel, which was about to sail across the open sea to the coast of Phoenicia. In this vessel he set forth, and reached the city of Tyre in perhaps two or three days
1After we had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Cos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, went on board and set sail. 3After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home. 7We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. 8Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. 9He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. 10After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.' "12When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." 15After this, we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus and one of the early disciples.
Coos is a small island of the Grecian archipelago, at a short distance from the southwest point of Asia Minor. It is now called Stanchio. It was celebrated for its fertility, for wine and silkworms, and for the manufacture of silk and cotton of a beautiful texture. Rhodes is a an island to the south of the western extremity of Asia Minor, between Coos and Patara, about 46 miles long and 18 miles broad. Here the apostle probably landed on his way from Greece to Syria, on returning from his third missionary journey. Patara is a city on the south-west coast of Lycia. Here he found a larger vessel, which was about to sail across the open sea to the coast of Phoenicia. In this vessel he set forth, and reached the city of Tyre in perhaps two or three days
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