God's Will vs. Bad Counsel

Beginning in Acts 21, we come to the “home stretch” of the Book of Acts. It’s here that Paul enters Jerusalem against the advice of many fellow believers, including his traveling companions. He is falsely accused, nearly killed, and then arrested (and thereby rescued) by Roman authorities. Sounds like quite a plot for a movie! But this isn’t Hollywood. No. We’re dealing here with the greatest missionary of all time, thus it was an occasion for Paul to -- once again -- proclaim the Gospel!

Paul had resolved to go on to Jerusalem while he was still in Ephesus, and along the way he met and fellowshipped with fellow believers. One would imagine these meetings to be very similar to what took place in Miletus. As they departed each city, they knelt together and prayed and said tender and tearful goodbyes. We’re also told in Acts 21:4 that “they repeatedly told Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.” But Paul pressed on, rejecting the warnings, convinced that his suffering was the will of God. He is not only willing to suffer, but also to die for Christ. I don’t know about you, but I read this account with great admiration for Paul. I am amazed to find that some godly scholars have reached the conclusion that Paul was wrong, in his decision to continue on the Jerusalem.

Nowhere in Scripture are we told that Paul did wrong. The remaining chapters of Acts do not indict Paul for wrongdoing; they honor him for his faithfulness! And Paul’s words to Timothy strongly imply that he had not departed from God’s will, but that he had fulfilled it:

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
… there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day… II Timothy 4:7-8

Here’s the scene once Paul arrives in Jerusalem: He’s falsely accused of a high Jewish crime, resulting in a riot in which he is nearly put to death on the spot. He’s placed under arrest. He shares his testimony with the some Jews. This results in another riot. In Chapter 23, we find Paul standing before the Sanhedrin. Realizing that there will be no justice here, Paul identifies himself as Pharisee, thus resulting in even more tumult. Paul is then confined to the military barracks for his own protection until they can decide what to do with him. (Talk about conspiracy!?) That night, Jesus Himself stands beside Paul and speaks:

Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. –Acts 23:11

These are not words of rebuke. These are words of commendation. Paul, like Jesus before him, set out toward Jerusalem, knowing full well the turmoil awaiting him. (Compare Luke 9:51 and Acts 19:21.) So why does Luke record all the warnings from other well-meaning believers? Well, Scripture is full of advice on not taking advice from evil people. Luke’s account might just be telling us that bad counsel can come from those who deeply love us too. Our most intimate and trusted friends might be giving bad advice. Are you close enough to Christ – are you mature enough in your faith - to discern God’s will from bad counsel? Read Paul’s words in II Corinthians 1:3-6 and 4:17-18 before you answer.

- Pastor Mark