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How intimate is the record of these days:
"Both the state of the weather and the direction of the wind are known. We can point
to the place on the map where the vessel anchored for the night, and trace across the chart
the track that was followed, when the moon was full. Yet more than this. We are made
fully aware of the state of the apostle's mind, and of the burdened feeling under which
this journey was accomplished" (Conybeare and Howson).
All is now ready, Pentecost has come, Paul is at Jerusalem, the city teems with
fanatics and enemies, but a purpose that goes back before the overthrow of the world is
about to emerge, and grace beyond dreams is to be made known through this same Paul,
as the prisoner of Jesus Christ for us Gentiles.
We therefore prayerfully anticipate our study of the remainder of this section of the
Acts, which must occupy our attention in another article. May our sense of gratitude to
the earthen vessel, and our appreciation of his loyalty amid temptation and sufferings for
"His body's sake which is the church", be none the less, because, in these days so far
distant from the throbbing events recorded, we are able to lift serene eyes to the unseen
hand that guided and upheld the Apostle, that we through his ministry might learn of
heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
#46. The Third Missionary Journey (19: 21 - 21: 39).
The reception of the Apostle at Jerusalem (21: 18 - 21).
pp. 113 - 117
We left the Apostle in the care of the old disciple Mnason, with whom he spent the
last peaceful night that he was to know for, perhaps, the rest of his tumultuous life.
"And the day following Paul went in with us unto James, and all the elders were
present" (Acts 21: 18).
Before examining this new section in detail, let us see the structure.
Acts 21: 18-26.
M | 18. Went in. Paul and his companions.
N | 19. Gentiles. What God had wrought.
O | 20. Many thousands zealous of the law.
P | 21, 22. Informed. False statement.
P | 23, 24. Informed. Prove that they are nothing.
O | 24. Thou, thyself, keepest the law.
N | 25. Gentiles. What the Elders and Apostles had written.
M | 26. Entered in. Paul and the man who had a vow.