187. Paul Is Arrested | 2022.05.01

We walked with Paul through Acts 21–26 and watched a life aimed at one great thing: to know Christ and make Him known, whatever it costs. I began by reminding us from Romans 8 that we are not born as God’s children; we must be adopted by grace. Our hearts are not basically good; apart from Christ we are enslaved to sin. But in Christ there is no condemnation, and nothing can separate us from the love of God. With that security settled, we considered what our life goals truly are.

Paul headed to Jerusalem on his third missionary journey carrying a collection for the poor saints and a heart fixed on God’s will. Repeated Spirit-given warnings foretold bonds and afflictions, yet Paul was undeterred: he did not count his life dear. Old Testament portraits—David, Joshua and Caleb, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel—framed what courage of conviction looks like when God’s honor is at stake.

In Tyre and Caesarea, believers pled with Paul not to go; Agabus even acted out his coming arrest. Paul answered with holy resolve: he was ready not only to be bound, but to die for the name of Jesus. In Jerusalem, he showed humility—reporting to James and the elders, giving all glory to God, and taking part in a purification rite. This was not compromise for salvation, but bridge-building for mission, the heartbeat of “becoming all things to all people” so that by all means he might save some.

False accusations triggered a riot; the Romans rescued and chained Paul—beginning his years as a prisoner. Yet every lock became a pulpit. He testified to the crowd, confronted Felix with righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, appealed to Caesar under Festus, and spoke to King Agrippa, who was almost persuaded. Jesus’ word to Ananias was fulfilled: Paul would bear Christ’s name before kings. We ended with the “Fellowship of the Unashamed,” a picture of settled resolve. May our goals be clear, our banner unmistakable: to know Christ and to spend our lives making Him known.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Courage anchored beyond self-preservation True courage isn’t bravado; it’s a clear-eyed devotion to God’s honor that values obedience over safety. Paul didn’t chase danger, but he wouldn’t negotiate faithfulness to avoid it. When the aim is Christ’s name, not our survival, our steps steady—even when the path leads to chains. [10:05]
• 2. Heed warnings without abandoning obedience The Spirit warned of suffering, but did not cancel the mission. Mature discernment distinguishes a loving caution from a divine prohibition. Faithful obedience often walks straight through forewarned hardship, trusting that God’s will is wiser than our instinct for escape. [16:34]
• 3. Build bridges to win the hearer Paul’s temple participation wasn’t legalism; it was pastoral strategy. He removed unnecessary offense so the necessary offense of the cross could be heard. Love flexes on preferences to keep doors open for the gospel without flexing on the gospel itself. [35:44]
• 4. Make knowing Christ your aim Paul counted every gain as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. That knowledge deepens through Scripture, prayer, and sharing in Christ’s sufferings, which reshape our loves and loyalties. When this is our aim, our ambitions find their true size. [23:51]
• 5. Suffering opens doors for witness Paul’s chains escorted him into rooms he could not have entered otherwise—governors, kings, and crowds. Our hardships may be the stage from which the gospel is heard most clearly. Don’t waste affliction; steward it as a God-given platform. [43:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:36] - Covering seven chapters today
• [01:15] - Romans 8 recap: no condemnation
• [03:12] - Paul’s journey and plans for Spain
• [07:29] - Spirit warns; Paul determined to go
• [10:05] - Old Testament courage of conviction
• [12:04] - Tyre to Caesarea; Agabus’ prophecy
• [20:18] - Ready to die for Jesus’ name
• [26:16] - Report to James; humility and rumors
• [30:38] - Purification vow to remove stumbling
• [36:57] - Riot, arrest, and chains
• [39:36] - Testimony and Roman citizenship
• [42:18] - Felix to Festus; appeal to Caesar
• [43:33] - Before Agrippa: almost persuaded
• [45:31] - The unashamed disciple and charge

Small Group Bible Study — “Courage of Conviction” (based on Acts 21–26)

Bible reading (ESV)
Acts 21:11–14
11 Then he came to us and took Paul’s belt and bound his own hands and feet 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.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the local people begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Observation questions (3–4)

1. What physical action does Agabus take and what verbal prophecy does he deliver? How does that make the danger feel different compared with simply hearing a warning? (Read Acts 21:11.)
2. After Agabus prophesied, the companions and local people “begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.” Why did they react that way, and what detail in the sermon explains their fear? ([19:44])
3. How does Paul describe his own readiness in Acts 21:13? Which phrase shows that his aim is greater than self-preservation?
4. What do the friends finally do when Paul insists on going? How does that response show respect for Paul’s conviction and for God’s sovereignty? ([20:18])

Interpretation questions (3–4)

1. How should the group understand the relationship between the Holy Spirit’s warning (Agabus’ prophecy) and Paul’s decision to go—was Paul disobedient, reckless, or something else? Refer to how the sermon explained the Spirit’s role in warning but not forbidding. ([16:34])
2. What does Paul’s willingness to “be imprisoned” and “die … for the name of the Lord Jesus” reveal about his hierarchy of loves and goals? How does Philippians 3:8–10 (the sermon quoted) help explain Paul’s priorities? ([23:51])
3. Paul’s participation in the purification rites in Jerusalem was explained as bridge-building rather than compromise. What principle distinguishes loving flexibility in non-essentials from denying core gospel truth? What would count as a gospel “core” that must not be negotiated? ([35:44])
4. The sermon said Paul’s chains became a pulpit (he preached to Felix, Festus, Agrippa). How does one interpret suffering as a tool God can use for witness, without suggesting God desires suffering itself? ([42:18])

Application questions (5–7)

1. Consider a decision you’re facing that could bring criticism, loss, or real cost for following Jesus. Are you more motivated to protect your comfort or to honor God’s call? Be specific: name the decision and one practical step you will take this week to align your motive toward God’s honor. ([20:18])
2. When someone warns you about danger (health, reputation, or ministry risk), how do you distinguish a loving, Spirit-led caution from a fear-based attempt to control you? Describe a recent warning you received and how you responded; what would you do differently now? ([16:34])
3. Paul chose to remove unnecessary obstacles so the gospel could be heard (e.g., purification rites). Identify one relationship or situation where you could “build a bridge” (set aside a preference, change an approach) to keep a gospel door open. What specific action will you take this week? ([35:44])
4. The sermon points out that suffering can open doors for witness. If you are currently in a season of hardship, how might you steward it as a platform for the gospel? If not, how would you pray for and support someone who is suffering to use their situation for witness? Provide a concrete example. ([43:33])
5. Read the “Fellowship of the Unashamed” excerpt the pastor used. Which single line describes where you most need growth (e.g., “I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice” or “I won’t give up… until I’ve… preached up”)? What is one concrete habit you will begin this month to move in that direction? ([45:31])
6. Paul submitted to the Jerusalem elders and yet held firm on the gospel. Where in your life do you need to practice both humility toward leaders and firm commitment to gospel convictions? Name the relationship/setting and one step to practice humility plus one step to guard gospel truth. ([26:16])
7. Who is one non-Christian person in your life you will intentionally pray for and try to speak the gospel to—preferably someone you can invite into conversation in the next 14 days? What specific invitation or next step will you take? (Make it concrete: call/text/invite, what you’ll say, and when.)

Suggested format for your time together
- Start by reading Acts 21:11–14 aloud.
- Spend 10–15 minutes on the Observation and Interpretation questions together.
- Use the Application section for personal sharing and measurable commitments. Consider pairing off for prayer after each person states their one concrete step.