Acts 28:17-31: "The Never Ending Story"
As usual, Paul quickly calls together the Jewish leaders of the area, and speaks with them while under house arrest. Paul's pattern was to visit the Jewish leaders of the area and speak with them about all that was going on in Christianity, including the Gentile inclusion. Although this news was often met with disagreement and anger, he would never shy away from sharing the "good news" with his Jewish brethren. Another interesting note MacArthur explains is, ". . . though Paul had been accused of being anti-Semitic, that was opposite the truth (cf. Rom. 9:1-3;10:1). Despite the abuse and persecution he had experienced from the Jewish people throughout his ministry, he bore his countrymen no animosity. Therefore, he went directly to them after arriving in Rome".
Paul then explains to the Jews at Rome why he is in chains and being charged before the Caesar. He clearly explains his innocence to them, and all that had lead up to his imprisonment before them at that time. Interestingly, the Jewish leaders respond to Paul, by telling him that they had not heard about Paul's case and the accusations against him. MacArthur explains why it is possible they may not have heard anything about the case. ". . . Paul left Palestine on one of the last ships of the previous sailing season, and he arrived in Italy on one of the first ships of the present one. It would have been difficult for someone from Palestine to have arrived in Rome before he did. It may also be true, as some have suggested, that there was little interaction between the Jews of Rome and those of Judea". The Roman Jews were curious as to what Paul had to say about this "sect" that had been started called Christianity. All they had really heard about it at this time was that it had been "spoken against everywhere".
After their initial meeting a large number of Roman Jews came to hear Paul speak about the things being charged against him, as well as hear about Christianity. No doubt, using his powerful testimony again before them, Paul tried to "persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets". His perseverance and desire for them to understand and be saved is shown by his persistence in talking about these things "from morning until evening". What an example to us to be bold and persistent, even when it may not be popular. As is always the case, some of the hearts were ready and accepted the testimony of Christ, while other hearts were cold and unprepared to give up their lives to Christ.
After a long period of debating and discussion, Paul could see there was no agreement between the group and they began to depart as if nothing had been resolved. We can clearly see the divisive nature of the truth. Never being bashful, Paul makes one parting shot to try to convict them of their foolishness. Little did these unrepentant Jews know is that they were fulfilling the very prophecies they had read about so many times in the Old Testament. It is sad when you are so spiritually blind, that you are unable to see the very thing you had been waiting for your whole life. Paul exclaims to the Jews, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke thorough Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, 'Go to this people and say, "You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; for the hear of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I should heal them.'" Quoting Isaiah 6:9-10, Paul explains to them that because of their hard hearts and spiritual blindness they have been rejected and the gospel has been extended to the Gentiles who will listen. Paul had clearly shared the gospel with them using the very texts they had been called to memorize growing up. Paul knew in his heart that he would not be guilty of any of their blood as he had been faithful to proclaim the truth to them.
The book concludes with the statement that Paul "stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him. . ." Paul was faithful. Taken advantage of his house arrest, he would have people come and share the good news of grace to all who would listen. Luke is careful to point out that when Paul shared he shared "with all openness, unhindered". Just as his whole life was, Paul was an open book and had nothing to hide. His heart and desire was for those to share in the faith of Christ, but he would do nothing to change the truth or sugar coat it, to get those to believe; for any other gospel he knew could not save.
Acts ends in the most unusual way, in the fact that it never has a conclusion. It is in fact being written to this day, as the church continues to write it's history. We see Paul in prison as the book draws to a close, however, as MacArthur states, "but the story does not end there. Released from the Roman imprisonment recorded in Acts 28, Paul resumed his missionary efforts- probably even reaching Spain (Rom. 15:24). Arrested a second time a few years later, he was finally executed". What an amazing book of the history of the foundation of the church. A testament to the life of the greatest missionary to ever live.
Paul then explains to the Jews at Rome why he is in chains and being charged before the Caesar. He clearly explains his innocence to them, and all that had lead up to his imprisonment before them at that time. Interestingly, the Jewish leaders respond to Paul, by telling him that they had not heard about Paul's case and the accusations against him. MacArthur explains why it is possible they may not have heard anything about the case. ". . . Paul left Palestine on one of the last ships of the previous sailing season, and he arrived in Italy on one of the first ships of the present one. It would have been difficult for someone from Palestine to have arrived in Rome before he did. It may also be true, as some have suggested, that there was little interaction between the Jews of Rome and those of Judea". The Roman Jews were curious as to what Paul had to say about this "sect" that had been started called Christianity. All they had really heard about it at this time was that it had been "spoken against everywhere".
After their initial meeting a large number of Roman Jews came to hear Paul speak about the things being charged against him, as well as hear about Christianity. No doubt, using his powerful testimony again before them, Paul tried to "persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets". His perseverance and desire for them to understand and be saved is shown by his persistence in talking about these things "from morning until evening". What an example to us to be bold and persistent, even when it may not be popular. As is always the case, some of the hearts were ready and accepted the testimony of Christ, while other hearts were cold and unprepared to give up their lives to Christ.
After a long period of debating and discussion, Paul could see there was no agreement between the group and they began to depart as if nothing had been resolved. We can clearly see the divisive nature of the truth. Never being bashful, Paul makes one parting shot to try to convict them of their foolishness. Little did these unrepentant Jews know is that they were fulfilling the very prophecies they had read about so many times in the Old Testament. It is sad when you are so spiritually blind, that you are unable to see the very thing you had been waiting for your whole life. Paul exclaims to the Jews, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke thorough Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, 'Go to this people and say, "You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; for the hear of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I should heal them.'" Quoting Isaiah 6:9-10, Paul explains to them that because of their hard hearts and spiritual blindness they have been rejected and the gospel has been extended to the Gentiles who will listen. Paul had clearly shared the gospel with them using the very texts they had been called to memorize growing up. Paul knew in his heart that he would not be guilty of any of their blood as he had been faithful to proclaim the truth to them.
The book concludes with the statement that Paul "stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him. . ." Paul was faithful. Taken advantage of his house arrest, he would have people come and share the good news of grace to all who would listen. Luke is careful to point out that when Paul shared he shared "with all openness, unhindered". Just as his whole life was, Paul was an open book and had nothing to hide. His heart and desire was for those to share in the faith of Christ, but he would do nothing to change the truth or sugar coat it, to get those to believe; for any other gospel he knew could not save.
Acts ends in the most unusual way, in the fact that it never has a conclusion. It is in fact being written to this day, as the church continues to write it's history. We see Paul in prison as the book draws to a close, however, as MacArthur states, "but the story does not end there. Released from the Roman imprisonment recorded in Acts 28, Paul resumed his missionary efforts- probably even reaching Spain (Rom. 15:24). Arrested a second time a few years later, he was finally executed". What an amazing book of the history of the foundation of the church. A testament to the life of the greatest missionary to ever live.
posted by amesfam | 10:57 AM
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