Acts 28:17-31
#God #People #Time #Place #Obedient faith #Sin #Key Idea
Acts 28:17-31
(ESV)
Paul in Rome
17After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had
gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of
our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of
the Romans. 18When they had
examined me, they wished to
set me at liberty, because there was no
reason for the death penalty in my case. 19But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal
to Caesar—though I had no
charge to bring against my nation. 20For this reason,
therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21And they said to
him, “We have received no
letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported
or spoken any evil about you. 22But we desire to hear from you what your
views are, for with regard to this
sect we know that everywhere it is
spoken against.”
23When they had
appointed a day for him, they came
to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the
kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the
Prophets. 24And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25And disagreeing among themselves, they
departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in
saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26“‘Go
to this people,
and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27For
this people’s heart
has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with
their heart
and turn,
and I would heal them.’
28Therefore
let it be known
to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”f
30He
lived there two whole
years at
his own expense,g and
welcomed all who came to him, 31proclaiming the kingdom of
God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
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People
#Paul
#local leaders of the Jews
#brothers, fathers
#the Romans
#the Jews
#Caesar
Places
#Rome
#his rented house.
Topics
#Go to those who may have something against you.
#Tell God’s working and His story is the focus
#Be Hospitality
#Be available
#Use Scripture to tell the truth
#Try to be persuasive without being abrasive
#Go to people open to the gospel.
#Paul’s imprisonment
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- Given the long delay, his shipwreck at sea, and his continuing status as a prisoner. how would Paul feel upon finally arriving in Rome? What must the believers' reunion with Paul have been like (w. 14-15)?
- Why might Paul take the initiative to call this meeting with the Jewish leaders in Rome (vv. 17-20)?
- How do Paul's statements in 23:6, 24:21: 26:8 and 28:20 illustrate what he means by being a "prison er for the Lord” (see Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:13-14, Colossians 4:3; Philemon 1)? How does the existence of these "prison epistles" demonstrate the way Paul made the best of his situation?
- In light of all that Paul has been through, how do you think he felt when he heard the Jews' response in verse 21? How is their attitude different from that of the Jews in Jerusalem? How do you account for this difference?
- How does Isaiah's "hardening ministry" (vv. 25-28) bridge the gap in perception between those who view Christianity as a narrow Jewish sect (v. 21) and those who view Christianity as a faith for all peoples (v. 28)? How does this thematic bridge relate to 1:8? to 9:15-16? to 26:22-23?
- What did Paul say the Jews still disagreed about and discussed at great length (see vv. 28–29)?
- Even at the end of his life Paul was preaching and teaching “with all confidence” (v. 31). Do you feel confident when you talk about Jesus? Why or why not?
- Who in your life needs to hear about the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ (see v. 31)? How can you start this conversation?
- Acts 28:31 is similar to other summary verses in Acts (see 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20). What does this ending reveal about Luke's central concern in writing this book?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What bothers your non-Christian friends about the faith? How can you help them overcome those barriers?
- When limitations are placed upon you by circumstances beyond your control, how do you react? How can you serve the Lord within these limits?
- How does Acts 28:31 set the stage for the way your life could become a continuation of Acts 28? In what way would you like to contribute an "Acts, chapter 29" to this movement of God during the next two years?
- Probably within a few years, Paul was killed by the emperor Nero. How would Acts 28:31 serve as a fitting epitaph on Paul's grave? What do you need to build into your life now, so that your faith in Christ will be what people remember about you at death?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
IMPRISONMENT IN ROME
According to the Book of Acts, Paul spent 2 years under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30). Acts is silent, however, regarding what happened to him at the end of that time, in late A.D. 62 or early 63. Some scholars argue that Luke intended the prophecy of Paul’s martyrdom (Acts 20:24, 38) to inform the reader about his fate. Paul’s execution under Nero sometime between the summers of A.D. 62 and 64 would also fit with two developments in Roman history of this period. First, Nero reinstated laws against treason in early 62, and Paul’s execution may have been ordered based on such a charge (though Paul claims innocence of such; see Acts 25:8). Second, Nero married Poppaea in the spring of A.D. 62. Her strong support of the Jews may have negatively influenced the disposition of Paul’s case.
Other scholars have suggested that Paul, after 2 years of imprisonment, was released about A.D. 63. He then carried on further missionary work in Macedonia (see 1 Timothy 1:3) and, according to some early Christian traditions, possibly also in Spain (see Romans 15:28). Many details of the end of Paul’s life are unknown. Apparently, he was subsequently rearrested and imprisoned, and Tertullian describes Paul’s execution by beheading. Eusebius, the church historian, dates Paul’s death in A.D. 67.
God designed each part of our bodies to handle certain tasks. Our eyes are to see with, our feet are to walk with, etc. And even though our parts may be fully functional, they may not be used for their intended purpose, if at all.
In Matthew 11, Jesus discusses John the Baptizer and after stating he was “Elias, which was for to come” tells the people, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matt. 11:14-15). We apparently might have the physical ability to hear yet choose not to listen. Those who remain lost in their sins do so because they reject the truth of God’s word. They choose not to understand the gospel message (Matt. 13:14-15).
Our Heavenly Father tells us what our ears are meant to hear. We are to hear Jesus (Matt.17:5; John 10:27). We are to hear “the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:11). We are to hear “the salvation of God” (Acts 28:28). When we hear these things our faith grows (Rom. 10:17), and have the “power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).
Do not be like those who have functioning ears yet choose not to hear. Take advantage of every opportunity to hear the word of God and have “ears to hear.”
In Christ, Steve Preston
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