Acts 8

Chapter 8. On to Jerusalem and RomeAfter all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.” (Acts 19:21)Then 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.” (Acts 21:13)The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11)Our survey of the life of the great apostolic missionary leads us at this time through the fair Isles of Greece where many an excursion party is sailing at this time of the year on voyages of pleasure and study. Had we voyaged through these isles in the time of Paul we should have beheld many a magnificent city where today the traveler finds but broken columns and buried ruins on shores of desolation. The temple of Diana and Colossus of Rhodes, the splendid amphitheaters of Assos and Mitylene, and the walls and palaces of Troas, are all since gone, but Paul remains a loftier, nobler figure today than 1,800 years ago. The only thing that is immortal is that which has been touched by the name of Jesus and the glory of consecration to His cross. Our survey at this time will take us through a swiftly passing panorama of vivid scenes, on each of which we can only pause to glance for a few moments. His Plan

1. Months before, this journey had been mapped out in conference with the Holy Spirit, and Paul had “decided” (Acts 19:21) to pass on even from the thrilling scenes of his ministry in Greece and Ephesus to the two supreme goals that yet awaited him, Jerusalem and Rome. Deeper than any other feeling upon his heart, except the love of Jesus, was his devotion to his own countrymen and his desire to present to them the testimony of Jesus. Writing about this time his great Epistle to the Romans, we find him exclaiming, Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved…. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race. (Romans 10:1; Romans 9:3) And now the time had come, so intensely interesting to him, so solemn and momentous to them, when he would give them the last message of mercy and the last opportunity of receiving at length the Savior they had so long rejected. Then it was Rome, the world’s great capital, the citadel of Satan, the center of organized heathenism. No grander ambition had ever fired a human soul than the sublime purpose with which Paul now pressed on to the supreme achievements of his life. Preparations for His Great Campaign
2. The first preparation was the revisiting of the churches in Greece. It might be long ere he should see them again. Indeed, the presentiment was upon his heart that he should see their faces no more. And so he makes a prolonged pastoral visitation of Corinth and the churches of Macedonia, sending all his companions but Luke forward to Troas while he lingers a little longer among his cherished friends at Philippi. In view of his going to Rome, he takes occasion while at Corinth to write his great epistle to the Roman church, in which he tells them of the deep desire that he has long cherished to visit them and his earnest prayers that “now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you” (Romans 1:10), adding, I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith… I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. (Romans 1:11-12, Romans 1:15) The Departure From Troas
3. Seven centuries before, a little colony had left this same city of Troy, as told by Virgil in the famous story of the Aeneid, to found the great city of Rome. Now another colony was leaving the same Troy to win this very Rome for the kingdom of Christ. It was a curious and appropriate coincidence. But how much greater in its consequence the present departure than even the story of Virgil. A Memorable Sabbath
4. It is significant that the party waited at Troas seven days in order that they might meet the brethren at their stated service on the Lord’s day. They had probably arrived just after the Sabbath, and so they tarried nearly a week for this purpose. What a significance it gives to the Christian Sabbath, that eager as the apostle was to reach Jerusalem in time for Pentecost, yet he tarried a whole week in order to have the privilege of joining in the Sabbath services of the brethren at Troas. It is evident that the congregation consisted of humble working people who could not afford the time from their daily toil, and therefore met at night. The day began at six o’clock in the evening at the close of the Jewish Sabbath. Paul’s address would doubtless commence soon after this hour, and we are told that it continued long, even into midnight. The evening was hot, for it was the beginning of summer. The hall was lighted with many lamps; the air was heavy and the service was long. Quite naturally, one of the congregation fell asleep, and suddenly fell from the window upon the pavement below and was picked up dead. It is a little singular that Luke was not sent for, but Paul. Very quietly and unostentatiously the story is told of that marvelous miracle, how the apostle fell upon the lifeless corpse, embracing him and claiming his life from God, and then in the most unostentatious way quieting the tumult of the people and telling them that “he’s alive!” (Acts 20:10). And then the service quietly proceeds as though nothing had happened, and the narrator does not turn aside to paint in sensational or glowing colors the wonderful miracle that stands beside the mightiest achievement of ancient prophets. It is evident that the Lord’s Supper was administered at the same time. The service proceeded during the whole of that memorable night, and the awful shadow that had for a moment fallen was turned into unspeakable joy and praise, and an impression left behind that many a generation would doubtless retain in the early Church. A Memorable Journey
5. Next morning the rest of the party embarked on their little ship at Troas, but Paul chose to remain a few hours longer and walk to the next station, about 20 miles south, there joining the ship again. His first reason probably was that he might be a little longer with the disciples, might comfort some sorrowing hearts, might lead some inquirer to Christ, might finish some work already well begun which would have had to be neglected if he had hurried on with the ship. We can imagine the little company clinging to him, following him out of the town, walking by his side, one by one taking their leave with many tears, until, perhaps, one or two lingered still. Then the apostle was left alone to pursue his solitary walk that Monday morning along the old Roman road that looked upon the Isles of the Aegean. What a light it sheds on the apostle’s missionary methods! How often was this his only way of transportation! No palace car to bear him on his missionary journeys; no chariot or beast of burden to convey him and his effects, but, like his Master, on foot, walking around the world with the message of love. What a picture of self-denial, simplicity and devout faithfulness for all other missionaries! A Memorable Parting
6. Joining his friends and ship at Assos, they sailed past Ephesus, as Paul’s haste to reach Jerusalem would not allow him to venture again amid the scenes of his longest ministry. But he sends for the elders of the church at Ephesus to meet him a few miles distant at the next port, Miletus, and there occurs that memorable leave-taking, which has fixed the standard for every subsequent minister and flock so high as to put to shame most of his followers. First he reviews the past and reminds them of his labors, not only publicly, but from house to house, of his faithful preaching of the whole counsel of God, of his many tears and temptations, and of his humble labors among them, supporting himself by his own hands and ministering to the needs of others. Next he forewarns them of their dangers from false teachers and deceivers from among themselves and solemnly commends them to God and the Word of His grace, which is able to build them up and give them an inheritance among all that are sanctified. And finally he forecasts his own future, telling of the bonds and afflictions that await him, but the immovable purpose and fearless courage with which he presses on to meet his fixture, intent on one thing only: “if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24). The meeting closes with a touch of pathos, as he tells them that they shall see his face no more, and they kneel down together on the shore in parting prayer, falling upon his neck and kissing him with many a fond and reverent expression of their devoted love. In the second century there were doubtless men and women living who could tell how, when they were little boys and girls, they looked upon this touching scene, and had the hand of the venerable apostle laid upon their heads in blessing and farewell. Such a spectacle would be an inspiration and an anchorage for the faith and loyalty of the primitive Church, stronger than all the power of persecution. A Hard Test
7. We pass many an interesting scene on their rapid voyage; the Island of Cos, the seat of the great medical colleges of that age; Rhodes, with its immense commerce and famous Colossus; and Patara, a great emporium of trade, but now a neglected ruin. There they embarked in a Phoenician vessel, and sighting Cyprus after a two or three days’ sail, they landed at the old city of Tyre, where their voyage ended, and whence they set out on foot to Caesarea and Jerusalem. Here again there is a stay of seven days, doubtless for the same reason as at Troas, and here there comes to Paul his first great trial of faith. The disciples at Tyre, we are told, “through the Spirit… urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem” (Acts 21:4). This was not a mere personal appeal, but a prophetic message, and it must have been a severe trial of his faith; but we find him calmly moving on, unshaken even by these impressive messages. A severer trial comes to him at Caesarea, for there not only the brethren, but the prophet Agabus, recognized by all as one owned of God, actually bound himself with Paul’s belt and told the apostle that so would he be bound at Jerusalem and delivered to the Gentiles. Then followed a universal appeal from all of Paul’s companions not to go to Jerusalem, but it only called forth a more decided resolve that nothing should hinder the sacred purpose to which God had called him. “Why,” he answered, “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” (Acts 21:13). They seem to have at once accepted his conclusion as the higher will of God, and answering, “The Lord’s will be done” (Acts 21:14), they henceforth stood with him for good or ill. Thus we see the apostle’s leading by the Spirit apparently contradicted by another leading of the Spirit, and yet in the end we find his first leading was sustained, the second appearing to be only a test that brought out the more fully his fidelity to God in the commission already given him directly from the Holy Spirit. At Jerusalem
8. Passing rapidly over the incidents of his journey to Jerusalem where he lodged with an old disciple of Cyprus, named Mnason, along with the other brethren, we find him paying his respects soon after to James, the head of the church at Jerusalem, and being cordially received by him and by the elders while he rehearsed to them the story of his ministry, and they accepted the testimony and glorified God. Doubtless, he also presented to them the valuable offerings that he had brought with him from the Asian and European Christians for the poor saints in Jerusalem. It was a joyful occasion, and demonstrated that the Church of Jesus Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, was at last really one. An Ineffectual Compromise
9. But now we find the apostle entering into a step which, while cheerfully acceded to by him, really seems to have been one of those compromises which seldom or never does any good. Yielding to the advice of James and the brethren, he consented to take a step at Jerusalem which might have the effect of propitiating the evident prejudice of the Jews and convincing them that the stories about his disloyalty to the institutions of Moses were false. This expedient was that he should assume the expense of certain men who had a vow, and with them purify himself in the temple and perform the customary ceremonial rites in the sight of the people, so that they might all see that he was still a good and faithful Jew. We cannot too highly commend the sweetness of Paul’s spirit in consenting to this, although we need not be surprised to find that, like all such compromises, it failed. In the midst of the ceremonial rites incident to this vow, Paul was seen in the temple by some of the Jews of Asia who knew him abroad as a missionary to the Gentiles, and who now accused him of bringing Gentiles into the temple and openly defiling it. A riot ensued, during which Paul was violently attacked and almost torn to pieces by the mob, and only escaped through the Roman garrison of the Castle of Antonia, which stood at the corner of the temple court, who with the captain of the guard suddenly came upon the scene and rescued Paul from their murderous hands, supposing him to be some revolutionary fanatic. A Last Appeal
10. At this point Paul saw an opportunity for his long-desired message to his countrymen, and begged the captain to be permitted to address the mob. This was granted, and standing on the barracks’ steps under guard of the soldiers, Paul beckoned with his hand, and in Hebrew language, which at once awakened their respectful attention, Paul began to address them. First he told them that he was a Jew like themselves, zealous for the law, brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and bitterly persecuted the sect of the Christians. Then he told them of his sudden conversion in the midst of his persecuting hate, and how it was through a Jew at Damascus, the godly Ananias, “a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there” (Acts 22:12), he was led into the light in the early stages of his conversion and baptized in the name of Jesus. Then he told them how it became the longing desire of his heart to testify to his countrymen, and how the Lord Himself had sent him out of Jerusalem and given him the commission in this very temple years before: “Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21). So far they had listened respectfully, but that last word was too much. They suddenly broke into an awful uproar, crying out that he was unfit to live, tearing off their garments, throwing dust into the air, and going through all the demonstrations of religious frenzy. His message to Israel had been given and rejected. That hour meant much more to Jerusalem than it did for him. Their turning away from that loving appeal was the last act but one in the tragedy that culminated in the awful story of the fall of Jerusalem and the burning of their temple. Again and again had mercy lingered and God prolonged Israel’s day of grace, but at every step it became more and more apparent that the heart of the people was hopelessly hardened and they had been given over to the spirit of unbelief and the final rejection of their Messiah. The solemn inexorable wheels of destiny were rolling on, and in a few years more they would bring the Roman eagles, and that devoted city should sink in a cloud of blood and flame. How solemn it is that as Jerusalem turns herself against the apostle and the Lord, Rome stands forward as his defender. It was Paul’s citizenship that saved him now, and it was the Roman guard that stood between him and his own people. Henceforth Rome is to take the place of Jerusalem and the Gentiles would inherit the privileges of the Jew. How wonderfully God had prepared the way for the spread of His gospel by creating the very power of Roman law and citizenship, under which Paul now took refuge when about to be scourged by the chief captain as a preliminary investigation of this strange riot. Paul at once demanded his rights as a Roman citizen, and immediately we find how the shield of that citizenship was henceforth thrown open to him forbidding any indignity to his person, and finally giving him the right of direct appeal to Caesar himself, by means of which at length the way was open for his very journey to Rome. A Divine Reassurance
11. The sudden and exciting events of these days must have left Paul’s spirit in deep confusion and oppression. Especially the incidents of the following day must have been peculiarly trying to him. Brought before the Council or Sanhedrin of the Jews by the Roman authorities in order to find out what the real trouble was, Paul saw an opportunity of tactfully throwing a bone of contention between the two parties that composed the Council, the Sadducees and the Pharisees. He knew that they took direct issue on the doctrine of the resurrection, and seizing upon this as a pretext, he at once announced with singular shrewdness that it was for the hope of the resurrection that he was called in question that day. This was, indeed, strictly true in one sense, and yet in another it was an evasion, for while he held and taught the resurrection, there was no other common ground between him and the Pharisees. However, it availed for the present to start a wrangle between the two parties in the Council, which took sides immediately, until the quarrel became so bitter that the chief captain had to remove Paul and close the Council in confusion. That night as Paul lay in his dungeon, in the prison, many conflicting thoughts must have passed through his mind, and doubtless there came to him the temptation to question some of his leadings. Had not the prophets told him that he should not go to Jerusalem? Had he not forced his own will and wishes against the will of God, and had he, indeed, been quite straightforward in all this matter? Was his attitude in yielding to the compromise with James and the brethren independent? Was his plea in the Council perfectly candid or slightly evasive? And, perhaps, the brave heart began to question and to sink, as we have all done in such a trying hour. It was just then that his blessed Master came to the rescue, as He ever comes when we are overwhelmed and in perplexity, appearing to him as He had done a few times in the direct crisis hours of his life. He said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11). How those words were linked in his memory with the days that followed, and through every dark night and troubled day, like a beacon light, would guide him on to his final goal, until at last he could say on the threshold of martyrdom at Rome, “I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). Beloved, the Friend of Paul is still our Friend. The voice that spoke to him in the dark hour of trial is still ready to speak to us. He did not justify all that Paul had done; He simply passed over it with divine magnanimity. To Him of great importance was that Paul’s heart was true. There might be errors of judgment, and there are ever such errors with us all, but the supreme question is, “Do you truly love me?” (John 21:15). Before that every other issue was passed over, and the Lord accepted His servant and stood back of him for good and ill until his life work should be finished. And so, as we close this rapid survey, above all other messages it speaks this to us: to have some great purpose for Him, and from Him to get our marching orders directly from the Commander, and then to press forward unhindered, whether by good or ill, undismayed by calamity, undiscouraged by even the counsels of the dearest friends, satisfied to know that He is leading, and that we have but one supreme purpose—to follow Him, to please Him, to trust Him, and have Him say at last, “Well done!” (Luke 19:17). If that is your purpose then you cannot fail. If you can go forth saying with this glorious pattern, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me” (Acts 20:24), then you may be sure that, like the great apostle, you shall ever hear Him saying what Jehovah said to Jacob: “I am with you…. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).