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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 21 verse 27, we read of trouble in the Temple. Following 5 or 6 years travelling all over the Middle East, and having been forewarned of trouble in Jerusalem, Paul like Jesus Christ His Saviour had set his face determinedly to go to Jerusalem. Within 10 days or so of his arriving in the city, a riot breaks out in the Temple.
Paul is falsely accused of bringing Greeks - non-Jews - Gentiles - into the Temple. There had been rumours going around that Paul has been preaching and teaching to turn away from Moses - not to have their children circumcised - and not to live according to the customs of the Jews. He is falsely accused of speaking against the Jewish people - the Jewish law - and the Jewish Temple.
This crisis arises because people would not take the time to inquire as to the truth of these accusations and allegations.
Verse 30. We have the picture of people running from all directions, and seizing Paul, they dragged him out of the Temple. Their sole aim was to kill him. Out came the troops - the Roman soldiers - from the Antonia Fortress, on the northern side of the Temple Courts. (This is the piece of land at the heart of the crisis in these present days.)
The Commander along with a platoon of soldiers appear, and the mob ceases mistreating Paul, the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul is arrested. He is bound with two chains, and the prophecy of Agabus is fulfilled accurately. Paul is arrested for his own safety. God intervenes and uses the secular powers to protect and preserve the man who has yet so much more work yet to do.
What has Paul yet to do? More preaching and teaching - more testifying - more courtroom opportunities - more travelling - and of course, the letters.
What have you yet to do for God, remembering that He keeps the best wine 'til last!
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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