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And they accompanied him unto the ship。〃
From Miletus the travelers sailed in 〃a straight course unto Coos； and the
day following unto Rhodes； and from thence unto Patara；〃 on the southwest
shore of Asia Minor； where； 〃finding a ship sailing over unto Phoenicia；〃
they 〃went aboard； and set forth。〃 At Tyre； where the ship was unloaded；
they found a few disciples； with whom they were permitted to tarry seven
days。 Through the Holy Spirit these disciples were warned of the perils
awaiting Paul at Jerusalem； and they urged him 〃that he should not go up to
Jerusalem。〃 But the apostle allowed not the fear of affliction and
imprisonment to turn him from his purpose。
At the close of the week spent in Tyre； all the brethren； with their wives
and children； went with Paul to the ship； and before he stepped on board；
they knelt upon the shore and prayed； he for them； and they for him。
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Pursuing their journey southward； the travelers arrived at Caesarea and
〃entered into the house of Philip the evangelist； which was one of the
seven； and abode with him。〃 Here Paul spent a few peaceful； happy daysthe
last of perfect freedom that he was to enjoy for a long time。
While Paul tarried at Caesarea； 〃there came down from Judea a certain
prophet； named Agabus。 And when he was come unto us；〃 Luke says； 〃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。〃
〃When we heard these things；〃 Luke continues； 〃both we； and they of that
place； besought him not to go up to Jerusalem。〃 But Paul would not swerve
from the path of duty。 He would follow Christ if need be to prison and to
death。 〃What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart？〃 he exclaimed； 〃for I
am ready not to be bound only； but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of
the Lord Jesus。〃 Seeing that they caused him pain without changing his
purpose； the brethren ceased their importunity； saying only； 〃The will of
the Lord be done。〃
The time soon came for the brief stay at Caesarea to end； and； accompanied
by some of the brethren； Paul and his company set out for Jerusalem； their
hearts deeply shadowed by the presentiment of coming evil。
Never before had the apostle approached Jerusalem with so sad a heart。 He
knew that he would find few friends and
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many enemies。 He was nearing the city which had rejected and slain the Son
of God and over which now hung the threatenings of divine wrath。 Remembering
how bitter had been his own prejudice against the followers of Christ； he
felt the deepest pity for his deluded countrymen。 And yet how little could
he hope that he would be able to help them！ The same blind wrath which had
once burned in his own heart； was now with untold power kindling the hearts
of a whole nation against him。
And he could not count upon the sympathy and support of even his own
brethren in the faith。 The unconverted Jews who had followed so closely upon
his track； had not been slow to circulate the most unfavorable reports at
Jerusalem； both personally and by letter； concerning him and his work； and
some； even of the apostles and elders； had received these reports as truth；
making no attempt to contradict them； and manifesting no desire to harmonize
with him。
Yet in the midst of discouragements the apostle was not in despair。 He
trusted that the Voice which had spoken to his own heart would yet speak to
the hearts of his countrymen； and that the Master whom his fellow disciples
loved and served would yet unite their hearts with his in the work of the
gospel。
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Chapter 38
Paul a Prisoner
When we were come to Jerusalem； the brethren received us gladly。 And the day
following Paul went in with us unto James； and all the elders were present。〃
On this occasion； Paul and his companions formally presented to the leaders
of the work at Jerusalem the contributions forwarded by the Gentile churches
for the support of the poor among their Jewish brethren。 The gathering of
these contributions had cost the apostle and his fellow workers much time；
anxious thought； and wearisome labor。 The sum； which far exceeded the
expectations of the elders at Jerusalem； represented many sacrifices and
even severe privations on the part of the Gentile believers。
These freewill offerings betokened the loyalty of the Gentile converts to
the organized work of God throughout the world and should have been received
by all with grateful
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acknowledgment； yet it was apparent to Paul and his companions that even
among those before whom they now stood were some who were unable to
appreciate the spirit of brotherly love that had prompted the gifts。
In the earlier years of the gospel work among the Gentiles some of the
leading brethren at Jerusalem； clinging to former prejudices and habits of
thought； had not co…operated heartily with Paul and his associates。 In their
anxiety to preserve a few meaningless forms and ceremonies； they had lost
sight of the blessing that would come to them and to the cause they loved；
through an effort to unite in one all parts of the Lord's work。 Although
desirous of safeguarding the best interests of the Christian church； they
had failed to keep step with the advancing providences of God； and in their
human wisdom attempted to throw about workers many unnecessary restrictions。
Thus there arose a group of men who were unacquainted personally with the
changing circumstances and peculiar needs met by laborers in distant fields；
yet who insisted that they had the authority to direct their brethren in
these fields to follow certain specified methods of labor。 They felt as if
the work of preaching the gospel should be carried forward in harmony with
their opinions。
Several years had passed since the brethren in Jerusalem； with
representatives from other leading churches； gave careful consideration to
the perplexing questions that had arisen over methods followed by those who
were laboring for the Gentiles。 As a result of this council； the brethren
had united in making definite recommendations to the churches
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concerning certain rites and customs； including circumcision。 It was at this
general council that the brethren had also united in commending to the
Christian churches Barnabas and Paul as laborers worthy of the full
confidence of every believer。
Among those present at this meeting； were some who had severely criticized
the methods of labor followed by the apostles upon whom rested the chief
burden of carrying the gospel to the Gentile world。 But during the council
their views of God's purpose had broadened； and they had united with their
brethren in making wise decisions which made possible the unification of the
entire body of believers。
Afterward； when it became apparent that the converts among the Gentiles were
increasing rapidly； there were a few of the leading brethren at Jerusalem
who began to cherish anew their former prejudices against the methods of
Paul and his associates。 These prejudices strengthened with the passing of
the years； until some of the leaders determined that the work of preaching
the gospel must henceforth be conducted in accordance with their own ideas。
If Paul would conform his methods to certain policies which they advocated
they would acknowledge and sustain his work； otherwise they could no longer
look upon it with favor or grant it their support。
These men had lost sight of the fact that God is the teacher of His people；
that every worker in His cause is to obtain an individual experience in
following the divine Leader； not looking to man for direct guidance； that
His workers are to be molded and fashioned； not after man's ideas； but after
the similitude of the divine。
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In his ministry the apostle Paul had taught the people 〃not with enticing
words of man's wisdom； but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power。〃 The
truths that he proclaimed had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit； 〃for
the Spirit searcheth all things； yea； the deep things of God。 For what man
knoweth the things of a man； save the spirit of man which is in him？ even so
the things of God knoweth no man； but the Spirit of God。 。 。 。 Which
things；〃 declared Paul； 〃we speak； not in the words which man's wisdom
teacheth； but which the Holy Ghost teacheth； comparing spiritual things with
spiritual。〃 1 Corinthians 2：4； 10…13。
Throughout his ministry； Paul had looked to God for direct guidance。 At the
same time； he had been very careful to labor in harmony with the decisions
of the general council at Jerusalem； and as a result the churches were
〃established in the faith； and increased in number daily。〃 Acts 16：5。 And
now； notwithstanding the lack of sympathy shown him by some； he found
comfort in the consciousness that he had done his duty in encouraging in his
c