February’s memory verse:

"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." — Acts 20:24

Acts Chapter 21 & 22:

During the voyage across the Mediterranean Sea, many tried to warn Paul not to go to Jerusalem. But he couldn't be persuaded by others—he was ready to die for the name of Jesus and for the will of the Lord to be done. So, despite the warnings Paul received, he pressed on in obedience to what the Spirit said.

Once he finally arrives in Jerusalem, Paul is ceased, dragged from the temple and quickly bound with chains, and arrested (Agabus was right!). Just as we think the chaos has reached the max, there was a great hush and Paul begins to address the crowd in Hebrew!

Paul has an uncanny way of connecting with crowds—be it with the Athenians about their "unknown God" in chapter 17 or here among the Jews where he retells for the third time his conversion story on the way to Damascus. Stressing very clearly that God had chosen him to preach and teach the words of the Righteous one, Jesus. The Jewish crowd listened until they reached a breaking point and amidst more mob chaos, the Tribune ordered Paul to be placed in the barracks and further examined. Just as he was about to be flogged by a Roman guard, Paul pulls out the Roman Citizen card and asks if it is lawful to flog an uncondemned citizen. It's plenty of excitement for one day, and as the chapter comes to a close, we see that the Tribune truly wants to understand the purpose for which the Jews are accusing him.

Here are a few application questions from this chapter to ponder this week:

Chapter twenty-One

Paul and Jesus both knew when their time to die was approaching, as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Compare Paul’s reaction in Acts 21:12-14 with Jesus' in Matthew 16:21-23 and John 13:36-38.

Does your desire to please God overshadow your desire to avoid pain and hardship? Like Paul, do you think you could trustingly move toward an experience of persecution, pain, and suffering?

Chapter twenty-two

In verse 18, Jesus warned Paul in a vision that the people of Jerusalem would reject His testimony. Jesus was also rejected in Jerusalem. Reflect on Jesus’ lament for the people of Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37. Why was Jesus so upset about this city?

In verse 3, Paul makes his appeal to the Jews. How does he appeal to the Romans in verses 24-29? Explain how Paul’s citizenship and nationality work together to help the spread of the Gospel.

This Year’s Memory Verse

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. “

Acts 1:8