First, we have to make up the broken relationship for the Gospel. Last week, Paul asked for forgiveness to the disciples in Tyre. And today, he arrived at Ptolemais and greeted the brothers and sisters. Their relationship was restored in a day, so Paul did not stay more but left for Caesarea. This city was the second most mentioned city in the book of Acts. It was a strategic port city as a link between Judea and Europe. And Deacon Philip had evangelized here and built a church. Paul stayed at his house. Paul was now facing a difficult situation that he had to make up with the legendary Evangelist Philip. Paul always made tough applications in going into the Synagogues, to the house of Lydia, and to the theater where there was a turmoil to kill him. Philip was one of the seven deacons of the Jerusalem Church and a hardworking evangelist like Stephen. He was the only deacon whose mission was recorded after the death of Stephen. And as he was close to Stephen, he must have been hurt a great deal by Paul. On this last journey of his life, Paul went to make a reconciliation. In verse 10, it said, he stayed there a number of days, and this indicates that Paul and Philip spent enough time together for forgiveness and reconciliation, sharing their stories interpreted by the Word. The Holy Spirit poured grace on them that they could make up. If you have disappointed in anyone, there will be the reconciliation of the Holy Spirit when you stay with the person.
Second, we have to admit that no one can overcome the circumstance. Agabus was a great prophet who had prophesied the great famine. He took Pauls belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said that the owner of the belt would be bound in the same way. Including Luke, everyone in Pauls travel party pleaded with Paul not to go to Jerusalem. This is called parakaleo. Philip, who was living a stable life with a title of an evangelist, the famous Prophet Agabus, and daughters of Philip who prophesied dissuaded Paul from going to Jerusalem. It must have been hard and tough for Paul. The daughters prophesied with the Word to avoid the suffering, but the essence of meditation on the Word is making an application. When an application is made, salvation comes along.
Third, we have to be ready with the name of Jesus Christ. Paul rebuked all of them sternly, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?' Paul grieved for the Gospel but did not fall for the temptation. Paul discerned the love of the believers from secular persuasions. Paul once had made a resolution to destroy the Christians with his knowledge, power, and will. But when he asked the name of the Lord and heard about the name, his resolution became that of the Holy Spirit. Paul said that he did not qualify for the apostleship and called himself the worst of sinners. As he realized more and more that he was the sinner, it was only natural that he became ready to die for his mission. His confession was always the same in Ephesus, Tyre, Ptolemais, and Caesarea. But one shameful thing was that the legendary evangelist Philip and his daughters did not come with Paul even after he had given such a confession. It was right for Paul to go to Jerusalem because it was the way for the Gospel to be spread for mankind, but it was not easy to discern. We and Paul both have to live for the Gospel, so we must interpret the circumstance through the redemption history. When we are ready to die for the name of Jesus, we are ready to enter our homeland, heaven. This is the resolution of the Holy Spirit. Paul knew that the earth was not the end. He took no value in his life. The death for the name of Jesus is the best preparation to enter heaven and this is the resolution of the Holy Spirit. Even if we meet the end on this earth, this end is also the start.
