NT Characters: Agabus & Rhoda

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 21:10-11Agabus 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.ConclusionBoth 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!