Topical Encyclopedia
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is noted for his missionary journeys and his dedication to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One significant event during his travels is his stay in the city of Tyre, where he waited for seven days. This period is recorded in the Book of Acts, which provides a detailed account of Paul's missionary activities and the early Christian church's expansion.
Biblical ContextThe account of Paul's seven-day stay in Tyre is found in
Acts 21:1-6. After completing his mission in Asia Minor, Paul set sail for Jerusalem, determined to arrive in time for the Feast of Pentecost. His journey took him through several cities, including Tyre, where the ship he was traveling on was to unload its cargo.
Scriptural ReferenceActs 21:3-4 states: "After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria and landed at Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo. We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem."
Significance of the Seven DaysThe seven days Paul spent in Tyre were significant for several reasons:
1.
Fellowship with Believers: During his stay, Paul sought out the local disciples, emphasizing the importance of fellowship and mutual encouragement among believers. This reflects the early Christian practice of hospitality and community support.
2.
Prophetic Warning: The disciples in Tyre, through the Holy Spirit, warned Paul about the dangers awaiting him in Jerusalem. This prophetic insight highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and warning believers, as well as the challenges faced by early Christians.
3.
Commitment to God's Will: Despite the warnings, Paul remained resolute in his mission to go to Jerusalem. His determination underscores his unwavering commitment to God's calling, even in the face of potential suffering and persecution.
4.
Prayer and Farewell:
Acts 21:5-6 describes the emotional farewell between Paul and the believers in Tyre: "But when our time there was over, we set out on our way, and all the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city. And there on the beach we knelt to pray. After we had said our farewells, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home."
This scene of communal prayer and farewell illustrates the deep bonds formed within the early Christian communities and the shared commitment to the mission of the Gospel.
Theological ImplicationsPaul's seven-day wait in Tyre serves as a testament to the early church's reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and the importance of obedience to God's will. It also reflects the challenges and sacrifices inherent in the Christian mission. The episode in Tyre is a reminder of the need for discernment, courage, and faithfulness in the face of adversity, qualities that Paul exemplified throughout his ministry.
Nave's Topical Index
Acts 21:4And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Defence against the Arians.
... old, when they undertook the defence of Paul [478] , fully ... the name of Athanasius,
six or seven Bishops elected ... conjured us to grant it for many days and nights ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/defence against the arians.htm
Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. ... but mean in themselves;
for what is Paul or what ... ones were six, but the highest were seven cubits (1 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm
Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... Ay, Paul! ... But I rather believe, that the professors of our days want a due sense
of ... to Samaria, to the country of the Gadarenes, to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm
The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... Aye, Paul! ... of God.22 But, I rather believe, that the professors of our days want
a ... to Samaria, to the country of the Gadarenes, to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm
Resources
What is the biblical significance of the number seven/7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls in the Book of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven candlesticks / lampstands of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgSeven: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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