Acts 21:1-16

Paul would not retreat Acts 21:1-16 : Paul knew that danger awaited him in Jerusalem. But he would not retreat. He took ship and quickly passed through Coos, Rhodes, and Patara. At Patara they changed to another ship bound for Phenicia. They saw Cyprus as they sailed on to Syria. The ship landed at Tyre to unload. They spent seven days with the brethren there. Paul received more warning about the danger he faced in Jerusalem.

As was often the case when the missionary team departed there was fellowship and a service of prayers offered to God. Afterwards the brethren returned to their homes and Paul and his company got on the ship again. The journey by ship ended at Ptolemais. There were some Christians there that the brethren spent a day with. Their next stop was at Caesarea. Philip, the evangelist, one of the first deacons lived there. Philip had four virgin daughters that did prophesy. They did not preach or explain scripture in public assemblies; for women were not allowed to do so. They were simply endowed with the gift of being able to foretell future events.

The same Agabus that had predicted the famine in Acts 11:28 now predicted that Paul would be bound by the Jews and delivered to the Gentiles. The brethren believed the prediction and tried to persuade Paul not to go to Jerusalem. "Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:13)