In our last visit we began a “3C Biographical Study” of the life of Agabus, mentioned two times in the book of Acts. The first “C” stands for collecting information on the person you intend to study. Let’s look again at Acts 11:27-30.
The most important thing about Agabus is that he is a prophet who lived in Jerusalem. He came to
I did some research and found that some ancient writers, Tacitus, Josephus and Suetonius, made reference to some great famines in Israel, about AD 45-46, which reached beyond Palestine. These took place during the time of Claudius Caesar’s reign as Emperor of Rome.
The fact that Agabus’s prediction came true authenticated his gift of prophecy. God used his prediction to help the church in
It’s possible Paul had an ongoing burden to help in this way by taking up a collection years later on his third missionary trip, from the churches established during his first two mission trips.
We see how authentic ministry by one Christian can have a long term impact on many believers. It’s a Biblical example of how God mobilizes His church to meet the needs of His people.