After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews…
Acts 28: 17-31
Finally, Paul is in Rome and is allowed to stay by himself, though guarded. So, already having some fellow believers to accompany him into the city, Paul now calls for the local Jewish leaders to gather to him. These Jews are not converts and Paul addresses them as “brothers,” a way of telling them they are all worshippers of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But, as Paul continues his story of his coming to Rome under guard, it is clear that Paul is telling these Jews that he is in Rome to appeal for his life as a Christian. These Jews respond to Paul, telling him that no correspondence from the Jews in Jerusalem has come to them regarding Paul and that they are aware of this “new religion.” They ask Paul to tell them more of this Jesus and His “Way.” So, a day was set for them to have Paul preach Jesus Christ to them. On that day, a great number of the Jews came and Paul preached, from the Scriptures, from “morning until evening” of this Jesus and His teachings. As expected, some believed into Jesus and some did not believe. They disagreed among themselves and Paul quoted from the Scriptures of Isaiah being commanded by God to go to the Jews telling them all that God commanded and that the people would “ hear but never understand,” “see but not perceive,” their hearts were dull,” and many will not be “healed” by God to become His children. To end his sermon, Paul tells them that their deafness, blindness and, hardness of heart has meant that God has commissioned Paul to take this Gospel to the Gentiles. For two years, Paul lived by himself and was granted to have visitors to him as he preached Christ and Him crucified. Many Gentiles, including from the household of Caesar and the Praetorian guards, who guarded Paul, were converted to Christ. Paul continues his ambassadorship for His Lord Jesus up to the time he is executed by Caesar Nero. During Paul’s missionary works, he wrote nearly half of the books we have in the New Testament today. Paul was a servant of our Savior and Lord Jesus. If you are a Christian today, Paul is one whom Christians look to for preaching, teaching and living the life found in Christ alone. Worship the Lord Jesus today with fervor and go forth into this dying world tomorrow armed for the fight that is ours until Jesus returns or He calls us to Himself.
Source: S C Ball August 20, 2023
Leave a Reply