Was this normal?
Application
- While there may be times when traveling for ministry, one may need some “alone time,” undoubtedly the hospitality of other believers in the Lord Jesus Christ is much more valuable and refreshing. It also allows fellow believers to exercise their spiritual gifts and receive great blessing.
- I cannot walk your path through life, and you cannot walk my path through life. Each one of us must walk our own path by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ according to His will and God the Holy Spirit’s empowerment.
- Conclusion: Today’s passage does not contain direct theological teaching, and, as such, some might pass by it quickly. However, today’s passage has a snapshot or two of a growing first-century church loving one another, serving one another, and functioning as a body in daily life.
Bible Text
(1) When we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; (2) and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. (3) When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. (4) After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. (5) 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. After kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. (6) Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.(7) When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. (8) On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. (9) Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. (10) As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. (11) And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” (12) When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. (13) Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (14) And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”
-Acts 21:1-14