Acts 21:1-16 FINDING DISCIPLES To those of us living in the 21st century, traveling great distances is not a difficulty. We can go from one part of the world to the opposite side in a day. When the apostle Paul and his traveling companions boarded a ship and traveled from place to place, every stop they made was a notable event. The fellowship of faithful saints who travel together can be a time of great and lasting blessing. Meaningful conversation, the study of the scriptures, earnest prayer together, are often highlights of a journey when saints are together for long periods of time. These times can either be a boring waste of time, or times of special fellowship that do us good for the rest of our lives. Our choices in those times determine the blessings that can be found there. Usually there are opportunities to meet and converse with people we have never met before. During those conversations we will be able to share testimonies of the grace of God to us. Unbelievers we meet may only have this time with us to hear a clear presentation of the Gospel. Other people we meet may turn out to be fellow believers and time together can be times of refreshment and strengthening in the faith.
When the ship Paul and his companions were on stopped at Tyre for a week, they made it a point to look for disciples there until they found them. This was not an accidental connection but a deliberate attempt by the travelers to find fellow believers. Years before some men had come from Tyre seeking Jesus where He was here. He made it a point to go to Tyre Himself, and a woman from that area was blessed because of her coming in confidence to Him. Whether Paul knew about those people or not, is not recorded. But the Holy Spirit knew, and guided the travelers to find those of "like precious faith." During that week together there would have been opportunity to be together at the Lord's Supper. There was opportunity to share the truths of God together and likely Paul gave a lot of teaching that would have been of lasting benefit to those disciples. They knew that Paul was going to run into trouble at Jerusalem and gave clear warning to him. That week was so significant that husbands, wives and children went with the travelers to the ship. What a prayer meeting that was when all those people knelt down on that sea shore and commended each other to God!
We will ever know the benefits that will arise from one week spent with Christians we never knew before. The scenery and the attractions of the city-life of Tyre was not what would be remembered by Paul, Luke and the other brothers who were there. The fellowship of the Lord's people and the joy and blessing that was brought to each would have been with them in the dark days ahead. The Lord's people in Tyre would be left with a strong affection for Paul and those men with him that would encourage them to pray and strengthen in their testimony in that worldly city. If we do not seek out the Lord's people when we travel, we are missing out on some of life's choicest experiences. Even when traveling to places where we don't speak the same language, there is a deep reciprocating fellowship and joy when we look into the faces of the Lord's dear people and see evidence of our Savior in words, facial expressions and sign-language that conveys our faith in Christ that we share. To watch the faces of God's people when they sing hymns of praise, to bow our heads in the fellowship of prayer, to hold in our hands the Bible, is a strong bond of the fellowship of grace we have all experienced.
The waving of hands at the parting, the embraces of appreciation, the smiles of affection and even the tears of emotional bonds are all evidences of the value of God's people finding each other and being nourished by the life in Christ we share in common. Even one day in Ptolemais with the believers would have left the impression on those isolated saints that they were a part of a large work God was doing in the world. Today there are believers in many small communities who feel isolated and sometimes are neglected. We should never consider our time more important than theirs, and we must make the effort to find them and encourage them, even if we only have one day to spend with them.
Caesarea was a major center of the Roman government in that area. It was also the place where Philip, the evangelist had settled with his family. He had been one of the deacons in the early days of the church, and had then gone with the Gospel message to the Samaritans. It was Philip who the Holy Spirit sent to Gaza to reach the searching Ethiopian with the message of Jesus as the Son of God. In Caesarea the Roman centurion, Cornelius, had been seeking for God and through Peter the door to the Gentiles was opened there. Now Philip, who probably was driven from Jerusalem by the persecution of Saul of Tarsus, now sits with Paul in his house! What great wonders the grace of God does! Twenty years before Philip was one of those Saul opposed and persecuted. Now these two brothers in Christ sit in the same house at the same table because both share the same faith in Christ. What a blessing it is when God works and His people come together in fellowship and hospitality.
Our homes are a tool of blessing to others when they are open to the Lord's people and as a place to use for the furtherance of the Gospel. The home life of Philip isn't discussed in the scriptures, but we can deduct that his four daughters learned from Philip and his wife, that there is a work they can do for the Lord. We know they wouldn't have been public spokespersons for the assembly, but these gifted women were able in their sphere of life to serve the Lord by teaching the Word of God. "Edification, exhortation and comfort" are not restricted to the public meetings of the assembly. No wonder Paul and his fellow-travelers remained in Caesarea many days. They were encouraged and by helping the brothers and sisters in Christ, helped themselves when they praised and worshiped with the believers there. Looking back over twenty years like Philip, can be a good thing for us. Into that setting came the prophecy of Agabus declaring by the Holy Spirit that Paul would be imprisoned and bound at Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit did not forbid him to go. He simply and plainly told Paul what was going to happen there.
It is easy to understand the feelings of Luke and the others who did not want Paul to go to Jerusalem. They knew what persecution and opposition was like in other places and now it was going to happen again. Sometimes guidance is given by the direct statements of God, and other times God guides by circumstances. Guidance by circumstances is still true guidance. Paul knew why he had come to Jerusalem for a long time, and now the time had come to go forward in spite of what others had to say. Those who had sought to dissuade him, now realized "The will of the Lord be done." They did not abandon him there. Even after learning what was going to happen, their commitment to the Lord's servant remained steadfast.
Those early disciples, Philip and Mnason, still had a work to do. They had a role to fill in the work of God, and in these cases, it was showing hospitality. Some go out to the battle, and some "stay by the stuff." Both are needed and God will make sure there are opportunities for us to serve Him, even as we get older. How blessed it the fellowship of God's people!
It may not seem like a big thing to have an open door. Sometimes we may think there's no work for us anymore. And then a knock comes on the door and one is standing there. We realize then we are still serving God when what we have, we share.
A strange city and location looms before us on the horizon. We wonder if there is someone there who shares our heavenly vision. Some words of inquiry, and name and a home address - And before the day is gone, we are a blessing and we are also blessed.
The world may seem like a big place, but to God it is just a stool. In the cities and villages, he has given His people a tool. The house they live in is an opportunity to provide a place of rest - Not only for ourselves alone, but for some honored guest.
There still are in many places, people who are alone. They wonder if they are forgotten, will anyone ever come To give their spirits a lift as they live from day to day. And then a stranger- brother comes and with them wants to stay.
What fellowship and delight, when we sit together and talk. There is a brightening of life when together in the light we walk - And find there is Another who also shares with us His joy - The results are blessings to each one of us, and praise without alloy.
Don't be alone or stay alone, there are others near who need you To come alongside in one way or another, their interest is really true. Who knows, the visitor may be an angel, even though he's like a man.
You will find joy in God when you do for Him what you can.
"Father; Thy people are such choice folks! May I always have the privilege of associating with those in Thy family. Please keep me from being self-centered and going home with only some pictures of scenery. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
Acts 21:4, 16. “And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem….There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.”
FINDING DISCIPLES. Not seen at once for outwardly they look the same as others. Each one unlike all other folks – who would ever know they’re brothers! Until they talk and then you learn their interests are like your own; Because they know Jesus as Lord, and speak of heaven as home.
The more you communicate with them, the more you find in common. They speak of God as Father, and of fellowship, and of communion. The words they use are biblical – their interests are on the kingdom. They speak of saved and lost, and wonder how they can win some.
The songs they sing have meaning – not in the music but the words. When they listen to Bible teaching – they are making sure of “Thus saith the Lord.” When they gather together there is reverence and a respect for holy things. When a need is known they wonder what else they can do or bring.
Not all disciples are the same – some are more fervent than the rest. But all have this in common – “In Christ alone they trust; No works of man will do; salvation is in Christ alone; Life is the time of preparation – soon we’ll gather around God’s throne.”
Unusual though it may seem, the older the disciples get The more committed they are, wanting to serve the Master yet. An opened home and heart are characteristics that are seen – Serving the Lord by serving the saints is a real joy to them.
It is not always dramatic living, in the service for the Lord. Often it may be a simple thing or some kindly spoken word – That is used by the Lord through a disciple to some of His people bless. God, help me to be a true disciple and my Master’s name confess.
“I thank Thee, O heavenly Father, for Thy people all over this world. What a blessing they are to the world in general and how important they are to each other. May we all be committed to our Master and never hide our identity from those around us. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”