| The Closing Act |
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| (Acts 28) After a long and eventful journey by sea, Paul and the company traveling with him arrived in Rome. (v15a) “The brothers there had heard that [Paul and company] were coming, and they traveled [from around the region] to meet [them].” The little things matter. Little acts of service or encouragement will lift spirits – both of the giver and the receiver. The group traveling to meet Paul likely wanted to be encouraged by seeing him; yet, they provided him with much needed encouragement – (v15b) “At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.” Following this encouragement, Paul gives his final recorded message in the book of Acts. He called together the leaders of the Jews in Rome. Though he had appealed to Caesar, his focus was still on presenting the gospel “not that [he] had any charge to bring against [his] own people.” In this case, he was burdened for the Jews “because of the hope of Israel.” A large number gathered to hear Paul speak and “from morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.” Notice that Paul continued his practice sharing the gospel beginning from the hearers’ perspective. The Jewish leaders were certainly familiar with the writings of Moses and the various prophets. This passage tells us that “some were convinced … but others would not believe.” Unfortunately, for some, their hardened hearts preventing them from understanding the good news of Jesus, their Messiah: (v26-27)“’You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.’ For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.”Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:23) that the message of Christ was “a stumbling block” to the Jews. Paul’s heart ached for the Jews, his people: (Romans 9:2-4)"I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel."We should have such an aching in our heart for our community and those around us who are without Christ. Paul persisted in spite of the rejection and “some were convinced.” He claimed the promise in Romans 9:6, “It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.” Paul continued to share the gospel because “[he was] I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16) Acts closes with Paul’s persistence and passion:(v30-31) “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” |
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