Acts 21

How do you resolve "seemly" different directions from the Spirit of God?

In previous chapters of the book of Acts, Paul had felt the direction of the Spirit
of God to be in Jerusalem by Pentecost.  Pentecost was a time when Jews
from all areas would be gathered together and what better time to address
differences of doctrinal issues concerning the saving grace of Jesus Christ!

Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles and did not want to be misunderstood
by the Church at Jerusalem.

Paul was dealing with three major doctrinal areas of salvation:
       1.  The Gentiles who believed, baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost.
            Paul preached Acts 2:38 but did not command them to be circumcised
            as the law of Moses required.
       2.  The Jew who accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah but felt that they
            also need to keep the Law of Moses therefore must be circumcised also
            (the Church at Jerusalem).
       3.  The Jew who kept the Law of Moses but did not accept Jesus Christ
            as the Messiah.

Acts21:4.
4And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul
through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:10-14.
10And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea
a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11And 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.
12And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place,
besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 
13Then 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. 
14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of
the Lord be done.

Acts 23:11
11And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer,
Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness
also at Rome.

Paul knew God wanted him to go to Jerusalem.  The others through the Spirit
was not forbidding Paul to go but was warning him what we would be facing.
Men, when we know the will of God for our lives and are made aware of the
consequences through the ministry or Word by the Spirit we must stand for
the doctrine for the furtherance of the Gospel!  Paul stood at Jerusalem so
God said you also will stand at Rome (Acts 23:11).

Ephesians 6:12-14.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places. 
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate
of righteousness;

Men - Keep Standing!

Rev Bob Gougler