First - Paul was bound in the spirit - small "s" - his spirit. He really wanted to go to Jerusalem but something was "restraining" him. You know how you want to do something but your iffy about doing it - something is making you question "if" you should do it -
Acts 20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save [only] that the Holy Spirit witnessing in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me [if I go to Jerusalem] . . . . He first says he did not know what would befall him but then goes on to say that the Holy Spirit had been witnessing saying that bonds and afflictions would be waiting - Then in v21 he basically says - I don't care what befalls me - I would rather testify of the gospel - which sounds very sincere - But what good was it in going to Jerusalem when the Spirit had already told him not to go and what would happen if he did?
Then in 21:4 He landed at Tyre - where he was with the disciples there for 7 days - they through the Spirit told him he should NOT go up to Jerusalem. Then Agabus, a prophet, prophesies to him that he would be bound and delivered unto the Gentiles . . when the others heard it - all of them besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Paul, in all sincerity - Oh, I am ready to be not bound only but to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. . . nothing was going to persuade him to NOT go. So everyone ceased trying to persuade him - And when he [Paul] would not be persuaded, we ceased [stopped] saying the will of the Lord be done.
Here are 3 records where Paul was told NOT to go - 1) the Holy Spirit was witnessing in every city what would befall him if he should go; 2) the disciples at Tyre tried to persuade him through the Spirit while he was there 7 days NOT TO GO; 3) Agabus prophesied to him what would happen if he went - Paul went any way and he DID get in trouble and he DID almost lose his life there. I don't read anywhere where during that period he won anyone for the Lord Jesus Christ. The nearest Paul came to winning anybody for the Lord in those years was an "almost" - King Agrippa -
Acts 26:28 . . . Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
God had done everything to keep His man out of a big dilemma but Paul was determined to go . . . I love how this record lets me see how human Paul was - a man who had frailties just like I do - God can try to tell me things also but if I don't listen - he won't force me and I have to accept whatever happens.
Sis, you're getting something from the KJV [which I use as well] and getting hung up on the word "bound by the spirit".
God speaks to us through our spirit... where He indwells - Spirit in spirit and that word "bound" means that he means, he has a "sense of duty" to obey the Spirit. Doesn't matter if it's capitalized or not -- in other versions it does capitalize Spirit because it's the same Greek word for either ours or His Spirit.
There is no record at all - whatsoever, anywhere in Scriptures where Paul ever disobeyed The Spirit's commands or leading. He had to go - he was 'bound' to go to Jerusalem by The Spirit and that's confirmed here Act 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
"A righteous man's steps are ordered of The Lord" and Paul was right on target with every step of obedience that he took -- he lived a perfect life and knew he was headed to die in Rome and his last book written was 2Timothy from prison, waiting to die.
Please don't ever think that Paul was out of God's will ever - once he was saved. That would be making his Scriptures and his walk questionable.
Thank you.
Everyone...
I think this is a perfect example of what's been established in the 1st half of this thread by everyone; that
just because the Holy Spirit is within a person doesn't mean that person *automatically* obeys. We still must willingly choose to obey God even with the Spirit. Our fruits (works) are not automatic since we still have free will. Faith + Works. Can't have one without the other.
I think it really hits home in this scene with Paul. And it may even settle the other thread from EG ("...dead means dead").
Acts 21:44 After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.
But Paul said "
oh I'm not only ready to be bound there but I'm ready to die"...yet...when faced with that very likelihood he evokes his Roman citizenship so that the guards would save him. If he didn't do that he would've died just like (I think he oversaw) Steven's stoning...to the glory of God. I liken this scene to Peter's time of testing with Christ. Peter said to Christ "
Oh I would NEVER deny you" but when it came time to walk his talk; to show the fruit of his belief, he unfortunately failed because of fleshy fear. Paul said he was ready to die but when it came time he proved he really wasn't ready.
Stepping back from this scene for a second, I think Paul was more effective to spread the gospel in person than through letters and I don't think God had other things for him yet. When we read some of his letters (prior to his incarceration) we note that he often "hopes" to get to these new converts to strengthen each other. We also read in the early chapters of Acts how he through the Spirit was able to ignite a spiritual fire wherever he went. I truly feel God's plan for Paul was for him to continue traveling to gentile areas spreading the gospel...but after this scene Paul never traveled again (though God still used Paul through his letters).
I think this shows Paul was weak like we all are at times: both in pride and in fear. Yet God is forgiving of our disobedience.