Note 4 at Acts 21:4: Some people have suggested that this verse doesn't actually say that the Holy Ghost forbade Paul to go to Jerusalem. Rather, the Holy Ghost was saying that he should not go to Jerusalem if he did not want to be persecuted. If that was the case, then Paul had a choice and he simply chose to continue on to Jerusalem. That would solve many questions that might arise about this being an example of Paul disobeying God.

Although one may argue that it is inferred in this verse that Paul was given a choice, that is not clearly stated. This verse, taken at face value, would suggest that Paul disobeyed the Holy Ghost, although this seems totally inconsistent with his previous actions (ex. Acts 16:6-7) and his future statements (Acts 23:1). The noticeable absence of Paul mentioning this as a sin or mistake in any of his later writings would further cause one to think that he must have had a choice in the matter.