Acts 21:7-14

NOTE: This blog post originally had the reflection for Acts 21:15-19 instead of the one that should have been here.  It is fixed, and the proper reflection now appears where it should.

Summary retelling of Acts 21:7-14

Paul and his disciples land in Tyre and they stay with a Christian named Ptolemais.  Then they go to Caesarea and meet Philip (this is the one who went to the Samaritans earlier in the story of Acts).  Philip has 4 daughters, and they are said to prophesy.  While they were in Caesarea a prophet from Judea (region around Jerusalem) named Agabus came and bound Paul’s hands with a belt.  Agabus declared that Paul will be bound in a like manner upon reaching Jerusalem.  When this prophecy was made, all the Christians in Caesarea and Paul’s own disciples begged him to not go to Jerusalem.  Paul replied to them that he is ready to be beaten and killed in Jerusalem if that is where the Holy Spirit is leading him. 

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

First, let’s look at Philip’s daughters.  They are said to prophesy in Caesarea.  Remember that from the Biblical understanding a prophecy is not a prediction of the future but rather a declaration of God to the people around the prophet.  Sometimes the prophecy can be a warning about the future (as we see with Agabus a bit later on in the passage) but it doesn’t have to be.  What makes a prophecy is not the time about which the prophecy speaks but rather the source of the prophecy.  A prophet speaks God’s Word to the people.  By saying that Philip’s daughters prophesied, Acts is declaring that it is acceptable for women to get up and spiritually lead other people by proclaiming God’s Word to them.  This passage has much to say about the ordination of women and a woman’s ability to speak God’s Word in a community of believers.

With what seems to be a pretty clear passage about the potential ability for women to be spiritual leaders in a community, why do you think so many people have such difficulty accepting this passage (and the other passages like it in the Bible)?

Second Thought:

We now turn to Agabus and his prophecy.  Imagine being in a room when a well-known prophet comes in and makes a hard prophecy about a spiritual leader that you love and cherish.  Imagine how hard it would be to hear that prophecy and still remember that it is more important to love God and God’s ways than to love the health and safety of our friends, family, and spiritual leaders.  Now imagine being Agabus and being called to go into a room and speak a hard message that most of the people in the room aren’t going to like.  Being a prophet – and having a true prophet in your midst – is never easy.

Why is it so hard to always put God’s ways before our own?  Why it is hard to hear God’s will when it involves people that we know and love?

Third Thought:

Finally, we turn to Paul.  Agabus tells him that if he goes to Jerusalem that he is going to be bound and dragged before the Gentiles.  Paul doesn’t bat an eyelash.  He embraces God’s will.  He is not swayed by the pleading of his disciples or the people of Caesarea.  We should all have incredible respect for Paul at this point.  Paul hears that God’s will is not going to be pleasant and he embraces it full body.  There is nothing in this world – not even death itself – that is going to keep Paul from following God.

Is it amazing to hear Paul’s reaction to Agabus’ prophecy?  Why is it amazing?  Could you have been Paul at this point in the story?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 21:15-19