protective custody

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Despite the smart plan of the elders to have Paul demonstrate his faithfulness to the Law, Jewish opposition to Paul quickly leads to his arrest. Notice that his arrest by the Romans actually saves him from being beaten to death by the mob. Jewish leaders from Asia (Turkey) stir up the mob by claiming that Paul is teaching against the Law and the temple and that he has brought gentiles into the temple. These claims aren't true, but they do get people stirred up.

Since the Romans intervene we will see how Paul presents his case in the coming days. Already we see Paul bound as the prophet in Caesarea predicted he would be. From here on to the end we'll see how the conflict between Paul and the Jewish leaders unfolds and how God uses these difficult circumstances to further the gospel.

Blessings,
Sam


Acts 21:27-36
27When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd. They seized him, 28shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place; more than that, he has actually brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

30Then all the city was aroused, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31While they were trying to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. When they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

33Then the tribune came, arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; he inquired who he was and what he had done. 34Some in the crowd shouted one thing, some another; and as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35When Paul came to the steps, the violence of the mob was so great that he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Away with him!”