Acts 21:17-22:21 | Staying True to ChristSample

A Call to Faithfulness

This is a plan that’s part of a bigger series on Acts. This week, we’re looking at Acts 21:17-22:21. It’s all about staying true to Christ, no matter what you face.

Acts is about that. Not exclusively, but it’s woven into its storyline from start to finish – disciples of Jesus facing the pressures and persecutions of this world, with the ever-present temptation to downplay or deny their loyalty to Jesus in favor of comfort, safety, or public approval. It’s not too different from what you’ll face as a follower of Jesus today.

This is Paul’s story. And much of Acts is about Paul. In the beginning, he was on the other end, pressuring others to turn from their loyalty to Christ. In God’s great irony, Paul comes to find himself on the receiving end: under suspicion, entanglements with authorities, maligned, mischaracterized, slandered, driven from towns, facing riots, threatened, imprisoned, beaten, stoned, arrested, and flogged. Paul faces persecution and pressure for Jesus wherever he goes. And every time, Paul stays true to Jesus. He won’t break faith.

Here, in Acts 21, he finally finds himself in Jerusalem. It’s been a long journey in the making. It started with a collection, going to Jewish and Gentile believers scattered throughout the Roman Empire and appealing to them in Acts 2 fashion to help struggling believers in Jerusalem during a time of famine. Time and again, he was warned by other believers not to go into Jerusalem, but Paul was committed to seeing this mission through. “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus,” is his reply (Acts 21:13, NIV).

Jesus says, “Be faithful to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10, CSB).

Jesus calls us to faithfulness, even when it's costly. The early church faced persecution, yet Christ encouraged them to remain loyal. Staying true to Christ may mean resisting compromise, peer pressure, or comfort. It may mean facing persecution. It may cost you. Today, read the story of what Paul faced in Jerusalem. The message of Acts, the Bible, and the early church is that it’s worth it.

Questions

What does “faithful to the point of death” look like in your context? Where are you tempted to be less-than-true to Christ?