Douglas Jacoby Podcast

NT Characters: Agabus & Rhoda

Episode Summary

Douglas continues his series on New Testament Characters today looking at the life of Agabus & Rhoda. Douglas shares what we learn from their lives and their stories.

Episode Notes

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Agabus (Acts 11:27-29)

•  
  • A Jerusalem prophet, like Judas and Silas (Acts 15)
  • Hagabos means "locust"—which is interesting, given the connection of locusts with famines.
  • The famine prediction was made 43/44 AD.
    • The "whole world" is the Roman world, as in Luke 2:1.
    • Claudius was emperor 41-54 AD.
    • Suetonius and Tacitus, Roman historians, refer to this famine.
    • The apostle Paul organized the famine relief collection (2 Cor 8-9) to enable Gentile Christians to share material with the Jewish-background Christians in Judea, where the famine would be especially severe.
    • In the NT, merciful charity is esp. to be given to the family of believers (Gal 6; Matt 25).
  • The Christians took Agabus seriously.
  • The prophecies and the resulting collection led to unity among Christian of different backgrounds.
  • And, like nearly all the prophecies of the OT, this one pointed to the near future (not the distance future).
  • Agabus’s prophecy is highly practical.

Acts 21:10-11

• Agabus makes another prediction.
• He does not tell Paul it’s God’s will for him not to go to Jerusalem.
• Luke and others beg Paul not to go (v.12), breaking the apostle's heart (v.13.), although eventually they conclude this must be God’s will (v.14). See indicated in 1 Cor 14:29; 1 Thess 5:20-21. Note: this Jerusalem visit isn't the same as the famine relief visit. It takes place many years later.

Rhoda (Acts 12:12-16)

• Rhoda = rose. Roses from the island of Rhodes.
• She was a slave girl. Many slaves became Christians in the time of early church.
• Rhoda correctly identifies Peter by voice. (We assume there was no peephole in the door.)
• Yet she fails to open the door!
• She is overjoyed—not neutral or nonchalant. She really cared.
• Rhoda relays the message.
• Yet she is not believed—why?
  • Was it because of her low status?
  • Or her being a woman?
  • Or from a failure of the others to back their prayers with genuine faith?
• Rhoda keeps insisting—she does not back down. She knew the truth, and it was important.
• And she is vindicated—eventually.

Conclusion

• Both Rhoda and Agabus had correctly glimpsed the truth—and made sure that people heard it.
• One was listened to (and respected), the other doubted.
• Do we listen? Do we pick up on the things the Lord may be trying to show us?
• And when we understand, do we make sure others receive the message, or do we easily back down?
• Rhoda was instrumental in Peter being rejoined to the assembly. Agabus was instrumental in tightening the bond between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
• May we all have the insight of Agabus, and the faithful persistence of Rhoda!