How do we know when it is God's will?
1. Overview of Chapter - Paul goes to Jerusalem, his friends make it difficult. (21:4). Comes to Caesarea (v11-14). In Jerusalem, after being welcomed by the Church, he is seized by Jews and arrested (v33). From this point on, Paul is in prison - more space in the book of Acts given to Paul in prison than his missionary journey.
2. God's will and Apostles. Three times Paul was told to go to Jerusalem. 21:14 - why is it that Paul was right and the others wrong? Because he was an Apostle. The Apostles spoke with God's authority (like the prophets of the Old Testament). Peter said of Paul (2 Peter 3:15ff) that Paul wrote with the authority of God. For us, we are not allowed to explain away the New Testament. God's will was worked out by giving Paul opportunities in special places.
3. God's will and us. We can get it wrong (eg v4), because we see it through our fallen eyes. Here the disciples saw the situation from a comfort and safety viewpoint, and got it wrong. Our own intuition can lead us astray - we need God's road map and guidance. (Romans 12:2).
