Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text Acts 21:27-36

 

John 16:33

 ^“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

(ESV)

 

It is a privilege to live in a country like the United States where one can worship God wherever and in whatever manner one desires.  My prayer is that citizens of countries with freedom of religion do not take their freedom for granted for freedom of religion is not the norm in many parts of the world where governments imprison Christians and execute them for their faith.  We must also remember that freedom is a fragile thing that people must protect and defend.  Recent cultural trends in the United States like abortion on demand, homosexuality, and transgenderism are contrary to the Word of God and Christian values.  However, people vilify those speaking out against these cultural trends with attempts to silence them, taking away their freedom of speech and religion. 

 

Paul is no stranger to imprisonment for his faith and probably not surprised that he is going to suffer persecution and imprisonment for his faith.  The text of Acts 21:27-36 begins with Paul in the Temple fulfilling his vow and a group of Jews from Asia seeing him in the temple and seizing him before the completion of his vow (Acts 21:27).  These Jews then cry out to the crowd accusing Paul of teaching everyone everywhere against the Jews, the law, the Temple, and bringing Greeks into the Temple (Acts 21:28). 

 

The passage is unclear whether these Jews from Asia are the same group of Jews zealous for the law mentioned by James (Acts 21:20-21), but their accusations against Paul do indicate a zealousness for the law.  However, their zealousness for the law is questionable for these Jews have taken Paul, a Jew, from the temple before he completed his vow.  This means there may be more to their coming after Paul than a theological question and the fact that Paul is a threat to their religious power over people.  So violent is the reaction of the mob that the tribune of the cohort is alerted and after attempting to determine the cause and basis of the accusations against Paul, orders him brought into the barracks for his safety (Acts 21:30-36). 

 

Similar to Jesus entering Jerusalem with a triumphal entry on Palm Sunday (John 12:12-19), Paul, who was received gladly upon entering Jerusalem (Acts 21:17), now encounters resistance (Acts 21:27-36).  While resistance from Jews is nothing new to Paul, in this instance the resistance is not a result of Paul's reasoning with the Jews about Jesus as the Messiah but comes because of false accusations.  James had warned Paul about a group of zealous Jewish believers who were trying to place legalistic burdens on Gentile converts to Christianity.  Paul decides to take a vow, indicating he has not forsaken Jewish law or tradition but is seized from the Temple before the completion of his vow (Acts 21:27).  If these Jews were genuinely interested in following the law, they would not have stormed into the Temple to seize a fellow Jew fulfilling a vow.  The truth is that these Jews are not interested in Gentile adherence to the law but instead see the religious power they hold over people threatened by the teaching of God’s grace by Paul.

 

 While there is theological resistance present within the Church and between Christianity and other religions, the main resistance involves spiritual warfare between a world dominated by sin and the righteousness of God.  This war began in the Garden with Jesus, the promised deliverer of Genesis 3:15, declaring victory over sin through His death on the cross.  However, each individual must decide which side of this war to be on.  To do nothing is to select the default side of continuing in sin since we are all born into sin (Romans 3:23).  While the side of the righteousness of God through Jesus comes with resistance, Jesus did overcome the world through his death, burial, and resurrection and promises those choosing to believe in Him eternal life (John 3:16; 16:33).  Looking at the big picture, the benefit of eternal life outweighs the temporary struggles and tribulations.  If you have not decided to accept Jesus as your savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me, 

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Please join me in praying for persecuted Christians around the world and the preservation of freedom of religion in countries like the United States.  The challenge for believers is to grow strong in their relationship with God through the study of the Word and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit so that our relationship is strong whether in tribulation or not.  May God both bless and challenge everyone reading this post.