Warning Paul

“After looking up the disciples, we stayed there for seven days; and they kept telling Paul, through the Spirit, not to set foot in Jerusalem.” (1) “We” refers to Paul and his eight companions, which included Luke. This is why the subject is expressed as “we.” (2) They sought out the disciples (believers) in Tyre, which indicates that a church had already been established there. In fact, Paul was indirectly involved in its establishment. Acts 11:19 states, “So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.” The persecution of the church initiated by Paul ironically resulted in the expansion of evangelism. This realization must have brought comfort to Paul. (3) The group spent seven days in fellowship with the believers in Tyre. Hosting traveling brothers is a duty of believers. Staying in the home of a believer was far safer and more comfortable than lodging in a public inn. “They kept telling Paul, through the Spirit, not to set foot in Jerusalem.” (1) This does not mean that the Spirit was forbidding Paul from going to Jerusalem. (a) The Spirit revealed to the believers in Tyre that danger awaited Paul in Jerusalem. (b) This revelation was consistent with what had already been shown to Paul. The Spirit’s guidance was a warning to Paul, preparing him for the persecution that lay ahead. (2) Paul was confident that going to Jerusalem was the will of the Lord. He also recognized that danger awaited him there and understood the need to prepare himself in every way for what was to come. “When our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, escorted us until we were out of the city… Then we boarded the ship, and they returned home.” (1) The time came for the ship to depart from the port of Tyre. (a) While this scene may not be as dramatic as the prayer on the beach in Miletus, it is still deeply moving. (b) The believers, accompanied by their wives and children, came to escort Paul and his companions to the outskirts of the town. (c) Paul’s group knelt with them on the beach, prayed together, and bid them farewell. (2) Paul and his companions boarded the ship, while the believers returned to their homes. In just one week, a deep bond of trust had formed among them. This is the nature of fellowship within the family of God. God delights in us loving one another.