Why Did Paul Go up to Jerusalem?

​The Holy Spirit witnessed in every city that bonds and afflictions were awaiting Paul  (Acts 20: 23). There must have been a reason why the Holy Spirit warned Paul in every city.
Paul was warned again through the spirit by a prophet not to go up to Jerusalem further down in the book of Acts

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  10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ (Acts 21: 9- 11).

So why did Paul still go to Jerusalem?

After his conversation, Paul wanted to stay in Jerusalem to testify of the Lord Jesus Christ, but he was warned to leave and get out of Jerusalem. Paul himself narrates this when he is giving his defence. The whole account can be found in the 22nd book of Acts. Even though the Lord told Paul his testimony would not be received, he argued with the Lord.

17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting [b]to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ (Acts 22: 17- 21).

So Paul obeyed and left Jerusalem, but he wanted to go back.

The lesson we can learn from this account is that only the Lord knows the heart of man. It is important that we listen to the Lord and obey His directions. Paul could not understand why, where he was brought up, and they saw his conversion, the same people would not listen to him.
We see Paul giving his defence again, explaining to Agrippa that his manner of youth was in his nation in Jerusalem (Acts 26: 3). Paul narrated his encounter again (Acts 26: 1- 32), but they did not have any of it.

From reading the account in the Book of Acts, Paul was supposed to go to Rome and not Jerusalem (Acts 19: 21). The definite word that Paul used applied to Rome, but he decided to go to Jerusalem. He decided in his heart to go to Jerusalem despite all the warnings because he wanted to testify to his people.  We can see further confirmation from the Lord that Paul was supposed to go to Rome (Acts 23: 11). He insisted on going to Jerusalem to bear witness, and l believe the Lord honoured that however it was not God's perfect will for Paul; otherwise the Holy Spirt would not have given him so many warnings.

“There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand” (Proverbs 19: 21).

One thing we can commend Paul for is his passion for the Lord. Paul could not understand why he could not go and tell his own people about the Lord, so he went despite all the warnings.
What can we learn from this? We need to take heed and obey the Lord's warnings.

The Lord knows man's heart and where a ministry will be received. Not everything that appears to look logical in the natural is ministry ground. 

It is possible that, looking back, Paul regretted going to Jerusalem, but we have no account of that.

We can have good intentions and strong desires, but let us always heed and follow the Lord's warnings.

​By Bisi Oladipupo © 5th August 2024 

 

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