"Be of good cheer"

 Paul’s Example of Courage and Conviction

(Acts 21-28)

After three successful missionary journeys that took him into many lands, Paul returned to Jerusalem to deliver the donations he had gathered for the poor, even though he knew it was dangerous to do so. In his journey to Jerusalem he encountered Agabus, a prophet who prophesied to him that he would be captured and bound if he continued to Jerusalem. Paul responded by saying that he was ready to face any adversity or any persecution if it were in the name of the Lord. He was even willing to give his life to follow the Spirit’s direction, and do the will of the Lord. Paul’s friends were concerned and initially tried to discourage him from going to Jerusalem, but realized his commitment to fulfill the Lord’s will and supported him (Acts 21:10-14, 22-25).

When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he quickly noticed that many Jews were not so happy with his arrival. He learned that many people were unhappy with him because of rumors of Paul’s teachings against the Law of Moses, and circumcision practices. To demonstrate that these rumors were false, Church leaders encouraged Paul to participate in their temple rituals. Paul went unto the temple and participated in the weeklong purification rituals that Jews usually did after being around Gentiles. Some Jews from Asia spotted Paul during these rituals, and caused a scene, which caused Paul to be arrested. Paul was able to get himself some rights, and an opportunity to speak to the people. Paul shared his conversion story, which caused a commotion amongst the people, and caused him to be locked up and examined by the Sanhedrin. Following Paul’s examination by the Sanhedrin the Lord appeared to Paul and said “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as though has testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). The Lord basically told him not to fear, that he would live to bare his testimony in Rome.

While being detained, Paul finds out that there is a group of Jews that are planning to kill him. Paul is then transported to Caesarea and delivered to Roman governor Felix for trial. Paul learns of his charges, and answers in defense of his life and beliefs. He later bore his testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ to Felix and his wife. He talked about “righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.” Felix wasn’t the most righteous person, so he probably trembled when he heard about the “judgments to come” (Acts 24:24-25). To try and bribe Paul for money in exchange for his release, Felix kept Paul in prison for two years. Acting in the same interest, governor Felix’s successor, Porcius Festus, proposed to send Paul back to Jerusalem. Paul objected to return to Jerusalem because he knew he would die, so instead asked to “appeal unto Caesar” (Acts 25:11). After discussing it with his council, he gave Paul the opportunity to be tried by Caesar in Rome.

Paul had the opportunity to bare his testimony once again to King Agrippa and his sister, while visiting Fetus. He taught them about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since Paul knew that King Agrippa was a Jew, he so craftily defended himself to try and get to him. King Agrippa said to Paul, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28), but chose not to follow the truth. Fetus, King Agrippa, and his sister were moved by Paul’s speech and found him not guilty of any crime and would have released him if it were not that he still need to be tried by Caesar (Acts 21:26-26:32).

Paul continued to take many opportunities to teach and bless others because of his faith and courage. On his way to Caesar by boat, Paul prophesied a lot of “hurt and much damage” not only to the ship, but to the people on board (Acts 27:10). The centurion disregarded Paul’s counsel because he felt that the “master and the owner of the ship,” would know more about the weather conditions, and the boat than what Paul was saying (Acts 27: 11). When the master of the ship also rejected Paul’s counsel, Paul’s prophecy became true. Strong winds stirred up creating a terrible storm that tossed them “exceedingly” and damaged the ship (Acts 27:18). Everyone feared, but Paul told them to not fear. He knew that all passengers would arrive on land safely even thought the ship would be destroyed in the storm because an angel of the Lord stood by his side, and told him not be afraid because they would all arrive safely to Caesar (Acts 27:23-24). This prophecy was also fulfilled and they arrived in the island of Melita. There Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake, which had not effect on him due to the Priesthood power he possessed. He was not harmed “when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly” (Acts 28:6), which clearly proved that Paul was a man of God.

Finally they made their journey to Rome, where Paul continued to preach first to the Jews, and later the Gentiles. Paul wrote four epistles: Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon, and Philippians during his imprisonment to Rome. After his release, he continued to minister throughout other countries (Acts 27-28).

Through his difficult journey to Jerusalem, we can clearly see Paul’s courage and conviction. We can see how willing he was to put the Lord first regardless of what the consequences may be. He demonstrated great courage every time he would stand and defend himself before men men who could easily order to kill him. He would not be afraid to share his testimony every chance he got.

There are so many lessons we can learn from Paul’s examples of courage and conviction. Let us be as Paul, “of good cheer,” and remember to always be positive, faithful, and strong even during difficult times. Let us develop the type of courage Paul had by being truly converted into the gospel, educating ourselves by reading our scriptures, and by always having the Spirit with us, so that we can share the gospel at all times. We too can turn our trials into advantages if we are more spiritually minded people, and exercise our faith in Jesus Christ. Let us not be afraid to open our mouths and share the gospel with others. Not everyone will accept these truths for fear of change, but by sharing we are planting a seed.

I know it is easy to disregard the counsel that is given to us, especially those of our church leaders. We may think we know what’s best for us, but lets not be as the centurion and the master of the ship, and heed to promptings of the Spirit, and the guidance of our prophet and leaders. So that we may be prepared to be courageous and withstand adversity in the name of the Lord. -Amen