Acts 21

Notice that Acts 21 starts with "We." Luke must have been with them on the way to Jerusalem.  Paul and his group mean disciples on the way back to Jerusalem. Note that the local disciples discern through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go but Paul goes anyway. Sometimes, life in the Spirit is not always clear. Paul felt different promptings from the Spirit. Paul then gets another prompting from others of the danger of going to Jerusalem. Paul says that while there is danger, God's will is that he go.

 

The Jerusalem church praises God when they here from Paul of his work. Note that even though there was a previous agreement not to make Gentiles become Jews first, the local church tells Paul that people will be upset because he brings Gentiles into the Way without any Jewish rituals. People are very much alike over the centuries! The Jerusalem church asks Paul to take his converts (Gentiles) and "fake" there use of Jewish rituals so there will be no uproar!

 

Jews from Asia follow Paul to Jerusalem and stir up trouble. Paul seems caught between two worlds.  A riot breaks out. Paul is dragged into the Temple but the Romans intervene. Paul asks to speak to the people.