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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Acts 21:7. Paul and his missionary colleagues sail homewards, visiting groups of disciples, ministering as they travelled, and on arriving at Caesarea, they lived in the home of Philip the evangelist.
Philip had four daughters who prophesied. Let's just remind ourselves - prophesying is not the same as preaching. God had given these four girls an ability to speak forth specific words to build up and encourage and comfort the church. A word of prophecy can be so very refreshing - as it flows from God. It is new and has a dynamic and relevance about it for the people in that place at that time.
Preaching is proclaiming or explaining to people what God has already said - prophecy speaks to the immediate situation.
In one of these fellowship meetings in Caesarea, a prophet called Agabus came down from Jerusalem, and as they all met for Praise and Worship and Prayer, Agabus begins to prophesy and minister in a most unusual manner. We have to be prepared for the unusual.
Agabus went over to Paul - took Paul's waistband or belt - and wrapped it around his own hands and feet - and spoke in the power of the Holy Spirit. "In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles."
Who wants to be a prophet, and deliver this type of message? Who wants to receive a word of prophecy when its content might be of a similar nature?
Agabus is prophesying regarding Paul's forthcoming arrest in Jerusalem - preparing him for the inevitable and unavoidable.
How would we react if this type of thing were to happen in your next time of Praise and Worship?
When the rest of the believers heard this, those who were with Paul, and those local disciples in Caesarea, pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
The prophecy was correct - the conclusions which the hearers were coming to were wrong. There is a real word of warning and caution to every disciple of Jesus, who is ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit. Following a word of prophecy or vision or revelation, we must not jump to the wrong conclusion. Here are well-minded people trying to persuade Paul to change his mind.
Paul replies - "What is the meaning of all this weeping? Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?" He has no time for false concern. "I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Sometimes, well-motivated people - people who mean well - but from wrong motivation - can almost break the heart of others.
Why did Paul ignore and overlook what these disciples said? Paul knew God had spoken, and had explained how he would be tied up and bound in Jerusalem.
These believers were mainly concerned for his personal safety and physical well-being.
Men were saying - "Avoid it. Run away from all this." These disciples were being over-protective. They sought to discourage him from going to face whatever awaited him in Jerusalem. It was being said out of false concern.
Paul had a word from God, and God was encouraging him to face the future.
We have to be on our guard at times against even deep human concern. When God has given us something else to do, and indicated what His Holy and Perfect Will is for us in that situation. Paul knew he was in the will of God.
He declares so positively and powerfully that he is going to Jerusalem because God has spoken. I am willing not only to be bound - not only to be arrested and imprisoned - but even to die for the Name of Jesus. This man is made of strong stuff.
Ah, he had been apprehended some 20 years previously, by the risen and living Lord Jesus, outside Damascus, and he knew God would never let him down. That is one thing God cannot do - let you down.
Verse 14. We see a tremendous thing. The disciples are persuaded and convinced that God is in this, and they agree to support and stand by and encourage God's servant.
As soon as you see what God is in, and what God is doing, be part of that and serve with joyful faithfulness to glorify His Holy Name.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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