Biblical Prophets
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Prophet Agabus

The Unappreciated Prophet?

"In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles"

(Bible Study Online Article Covers: Acts 11:27-30; 21:11-13)

Here we have the record of Prophet Agabus, which takes place during a time when Jerusalem did not hold God's prophets in high regard, and they had been killing and abusing them.

The Scriptures will confirm that since they weren't being appreciated, they decided to leave and head to the church of Antioch.

At this time, Antioch was Syria's capital and considered an awesome commercial center.

This great capital also had A reputation and title:

"Antioch the Beautiful and the Golden."

Understand that this is where the first gentile church was founded and the first time that Jesus' followers were called Christians.

It was during this time that we learned that these prophets who had left Jerusalem were now arriving at this great city, hoping to serve a flourishing church located within it.

Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online

Barnabas & Saul of Tarsus

The Scriptures also inform us that Barnabas had invited Saul of Tarsus to travel to Antioch and help with the new church.

Saul accepted the invite, and he and Barnabas would serve God and that church for a whole year, in which they met and taught people in great multitudes about the wonderful name and ministry of Jesus Christ:

"Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." (Acts 11:25-26)

Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online

Paul the Apostle -a.k.a- Saul of Tarsus

I would also like to point out that Saul of Tarsus was the name of Paul the Apostle before his conversion. I'm pointing this out because when people refer to Paul the Apostle as Saul of Tarsus, they're generally talking about Paul before his conversion to Christ.

But as you will find in this record, Paul was still called Saul after being converted and was totally committed to the one true God. I would also like to point out that officially, Saul will start going strictly by the name of Paul when he and Barnabas, along with John Mark, are recorded preaching their way through Cyprus:

"Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, You are a child of the devil and an enemy to everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? (Acts 13:9-10)

Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online

The First Prophecy

Now, after some of God's prophets had arrived at Antioch, the Scriptures would inform us that one named Agabus stood up from out of the group and gave a prophecy concerning the Roman Empire.

He prophesied about how a great famine would strike the whole Roman Empire. Understand that at this time, the Roman Empire was considered to be the whole world in the eyes of Claudius Caesar. It is interesting to note that another world leader who came before Caesar held a similar view and made the same prideful claims; his name was Alexander the Great.

As we move forward, we also learn that this prophecy came to pass in the second year of Claudius Caesar's reign and continued a little past his fourth reigning year. Roman historians have mentioned and confirmed this event, as has Josephus, a celebrated Jewish historian.

Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online

Agabus Travels From Judea

Delivers A Message?

The Scriptures would now inform us about Agabus' second prophecy, which took place in Caesarea. This event happened after Agabus had traveled from Judea.

This prophecy is directed towards Paul the Apostle. In it, Agabus tells Paul about the bondage he will be placed in while in Jerusalem.

Agabus demonstrated this by taking Paul's belt and tying his own feet and hands: after doing this he said these words: 

"The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"

After the crowd had heard this, they pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. But Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:11-13)

But Paul would not be dissuaded and headed up to Jerusalem anyways and it was at that time that Agabus' prophecy would eventually come to pass.

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