Paul had just been through a riot in Ephesus. Some of his friends had been dragged into a theatre and there was a ton of yelling. But, the Lord was merciful and after a few hours of people hollaring, the men were let go unharmed.
Acts 20:1-3- And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
It seemed that whenever Paul went back through the places that he had already visited that someone was planning to try to kill him. But, that didn't stop Paul from doing what he knew the Lord wanted him to do.
Acts 20:4-6- And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before tarried for us at Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
Paul is still going back through all the cities that he had previously visited. Some times he is alone, and some times he has a group of other believers with him.
Acts 20:7-9- And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
Has your mom ever fussed at you for something you were doing in church? Perhaps you were running, or bouncing on the pews, or even laying down trying to take a nap. Well, they fuss because they knew that something could happen to you!
When Paul was preaching and teaching in this church, he was going on for such a long time that this young man, Eutychus, fell asleep. But, Eutychus wasn't sitting on the floor, or in a chair. He was sitting in a window sill, or the window ledge.
These windows were big enough for a person to sit in them, and they didn't have any glass or screens on them. As Eutychus sunk deeper in sleep, his body must have shifted position, because he fell right out that window! He dropped down three stories and landed dead on the ground outside.
Acts 20:10-12- And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Paul ran down and hugged the body. He could tell that the boys soul hadn't left his body. And, the Lord worked a miracle in healing his body and bringing him back to life.
After this they all sat down to fellowship over some food. I guess that's where Baptists get it!
Acts 20:13-16- And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
Paul was hastening his trip. He was going direct routes to specific places because his goal was to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. I wonder if Paul knew what awaited him there?
Acts 20:17-32- And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
Paul had many words to say to these people. He knew that something would happen to him when he got to Jerusalem. He was telling his friends goodbye.
In his last speech, he reminded them that he told the truth no matter who was there or what they thought. He wasn't guilty of making nice to influence people or gain acceptance by certain crowds. And, he wanted the preachers that followed behind him to emulate his example.
He warned them that there would be those who would come after him and teach false things. There would be those who built churches to make money and not to preach the truth. And, there would be those who would create a false doctrine to make themselves into an influential leader. These people would deceive many, and unless the preachers and teachers that came in future generations learned and grew in wisdom of the Scriptures, they would destroy many!
Acts 20:36-38- And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Acts 21:1-4 -And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
What do you think when you hear the name "Paul"? Paul, the apostle who took the gospel to the Gentiles? Paul, the man who once persecuted the church, but then had an encounter with God and now preached and helped the church? Paul the first great missionary?
Maybe many of those things, maybe different things. But, you probably don't think "Paul, the man who did what he wanted instead of what God said".
We don't know if God had told Paul personally before this, but my guess is that Paul was ignoring God. So, God sent men who told him that he wasn't to go to Jerusalem.
God's will was not for Paul to visit Jerusalem, it was for Paul to take the gospel elsewhere- my guess would be to head East with it.
Acts 21:5-11- And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Paul had decided to go to Jerusalem, and he continued his trek through his previous missionary stops on his way to the Jewish capitol.
So, God sent another man to warn Paul. He took Paul's girdle and bound it about his own hands and feet to show Paul that if he went to Jerusalem he would be bound in chains by the Jews and delivered to the Romans.
Do you think Paul listened now that twice God sent people to warn him?
Acts 21:12-16- And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Paul didn't listen. Even when the others who heard the warning begged him not to go! Paul went straight to Jerusalem. Paul headed into certain doom- chains and Roman imprisonment!
