• The Witness from Miletus to Jerusalem – Act 21:1-17
  • In Tyre – Act 21:1-6
  • In Caesarea – Act 21:7-14
• The Arrival in Jerusalem – Act 21:15-17
  • The reception
  • The opposition

The Prisoner of Rome – Act 21:18-28:31

The events in this section cover a period of about four years (58-62). During this time the apostle was a prisoner of the Roman government. The sovereignty of God prevailed in that the Gospel of Christ was given with power and authority.

• Paul’s Witness in Jerusalem – Act 21:18-40; Act 22; Act 23:10
  • The Judaistic Christians – Act 21:18-26
    • They charged Paul with turning believers to forsake Moses and Jewish traditions
      • Paul had rejected for himself the Law of Moses and the customs of Judaism
      • He had not demanded that others do the same
      • He concurred with the conference (Act 15) that rites and ceremonies did not bring salvation
      • Paul was convinced that under the teachings of grace these observances would disappear
    • The request of the elders – Act 21:22-26
      • Submit to the vow of purification
      • Paul complied with their request
  • The non-Christian Jews – Act 21:27-31
    • The Jews from Asia stirred up hatred – Act 21:27
    • They brought false accusations – Act 21:28-29
    • They were intent on killing him – Act 21:30-31
  • The Roman authorities – Act 21:31-40
    • They rescued Paul from death
    • They discovered his identity
    • They permitted him to speak to the mob – Act 21:40
  • Paul’s message – Act 22:1-21
    • His defense against the charges
      • That he spoke against the Jewish traditions
      • That he spoke against the law of Moses
      • That he spoke against the temple
    • The sketch of his early religious life – Act 22:3-5
      • The conversion
      • The calling
        • Chosen
        • To know His will
        • To see Christ as righteous
        • To hear His word
        • To be His witness
      • The conversion, the calling and the message were all of divine origin
  • The effect of Paul’s message – Act 22:22-29
    • The rage of the Jews boiled over
    • The Romans took him into custody
  • Citizenship
    • Roman
    • Heavenly
      • Acquired through the new birth
      • It is the gift of God
      • It is sealed by the Spirit of God
• Applications
  • What are the fixed points on which we must not give way?
  • What are the points which may be yielded?