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Paul Persecuted - Acts 21
Paul Persecuted - Acts 21
While Paul was in Caesarea on his way to Jerusalem, "a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles” (Acts 21:10-11).
This was not new or news unto Paul. It was foretold at his conversion: "For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). Paul himself said "that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me” (Acts 20:23).
After this he wrote to the Philippians: "Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all” (Phil. 2:17). He also wrote: “... it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard-pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account” (Phil. 1:20-24).
It is hard for us to grasp such a mindset that includes a willingness to suffer for Christ. We tend to equate it with a persecution complex but that is simply a wrong idea. He was set upon glorifying Christ in his life. He thus was determined to both live by the teaching of Jesus and to proclaim the message of Jesus. He didn’t seek persecution, it just didn’t matter. “To live for me is Christ”
Thus, when he was told that going to Jerusalem would result in his arrest and suffering, it didn’t dissuade him from going. Standing before Caesar would not change his conviction and story concerning Jesus. In peaceful situations, he preached Christ. In the face of angry unbelievers, he preached Christ.
He did take action that would allow him to continue preaching. Sometimes leaving a bad situation allowed him to preach to more receptive people. He appealed to the law system that would allow him protection from a dangerous situation in order that he might preach to yet other people. He was not trying to be a martyr, but to preach.
It is this mindset that helps us begin to comprehend the life choices of Paul.
Hugh DeLong
