The Gospel Goes to Those that will Listen

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 28:11-31

 

Acts 28:30-31

He lived there two whole years at his own expense,^[d] and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

(ESV)

 

The mission of the Church is eternally etched in the stone of God’s Word in Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19-20 and is unchangeable. However, the methods and plans for conducting the mission change due to changing circumstances as the Church must function in an ungodly world. The Apostle Paul experienced these changes for he began by taking the Gospel in person to Gentiles in cities like Ephesus, Philippi. When objections arose and Paul found himself in jail, he changed his method to writing letters to these Churches that would become the epistles that continue to teach people about Jesus Christ. Now as a prisoner in Rome, Paul has the Jewish leaders in Rome come to him rather than going to the synagogue. Since Covid19, the Church has experienced many changes and had to adapt its methods and plans for spreading the Gospel.

 

In 2 Corinthians 11:25, the Apostle Paul spoke of enduring beatings, stoning, and shipwrecks. Many of these occurred and represented obstacles after Paul received his calling to go to Rome (Acts 23:11). The text of this posting begins with securing a ship to leave Malta after wintering on the island for three months (Acts 28:11). After several stops along the way, they arrive in Rome (Acts 28:12-14). Even though Paul is a prisoner when in Rome he could stay by himself with a soldier guarding him (Acts 28:16).

 

However, since Paul is a prisoner, he cannot visit the synagogues in Rome as was his custom, and instead invites the Jewish leaders to meet with him. Paul begins by explaining that he is not there because of anything done against his people or the customs of their fathers and yet was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans (Acts 28:17). Even though the Roman authorities found no charges worthy of death for Paul, and wanted to set him free, Paul appealed to Caesar due to Jewish objections (Acts 28:18-19). Paul continues by telling them he is in chains because of the hope of Israel (Acts 28:20). The Jewish leaders let Paul know that they have received no letters reporting any evil about Paul and that they wish to hear from him about the sect he belongs to since it is spoken against everywhere (Acts 28:21-22).  

 

After agreeing to a time to meet, the Jewish leaders, plus others, come to Paul at his lodging with Paul expounding to them from morning to evening about the kingdom of God and Jesus using the Law of Moses and from the Prophets (Acts 28:23). Some of these Jewish leaders were convinced with others disbelieving, causing a disagreement (Acts 28:24-25). They departed after Paul quoted Isaiah 6:9-10 which says,

 

And he said, “Go, and say to this people:

“‘Keep on hearing,^[a] but do not understand;
keep on seeing,^[b] but do not perceive.’
¹⁰ Make the heart of this people dull,^[c]
    and their ears heavy,
    and blind their eyes;
lest they see with their eyes,
    and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
    and turn and be healed.”

(Isaiah 6:9-10)

 

At this, Paul tells them that salvation from God will go to the Gentiles since they will listen (Acts 28:28). After this Paul remained in Rome for two full years, welcoming all who came to him proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus with boldness and without hindrance (Acts 28:30-31).

 

After many obstacles, the Apostle Paul finally arrives in Rome (Acts 28:11-16). Paul then follows the custom of his ministry and takes the message of the Gospel to the Jews first but since he is a prisoner must have them come to him instead of going to the synagogue (Acts 28:17-22). As usually occurred, some of the Jews believed and some did not cause a disagreement among them with them leaving once Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 (Acts 28:23-28). Paul then takes the Gospel message to the Gentiles in Rome. Paul remains in his dwelling in Rome for two years welcoming all who would come to him to hear him proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 28:29-31).

 

The Church has a mission to take the Gospel message to anyone that will listen, making disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). How the Church proclaims the message may change due to circumstances, but the mission and message remain the same. The Church in the Book of Acts provides a snapshot of the Church in action spreading the Gospel and provides an example for the Church to follow today. My prayer is for the Church to follow this example.

 

This concludes our verse-by-verse study of the Book of Acts. The book ends with Paul in Rome so the next New Testament book we will study verse-by-verse is Romans which provides us with the teachings of Paul to those in Rome. May God challenge and bless those reading this post.