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The Acts of the Apostles
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
days—the 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 many enemies. He
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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.