Meditation on the Book of Acts

Study 183

Text: Acts 28:1-31

MIXED RESPONSES FROM THE JEWS IN ROME

As Paul concluded his discourse, the reactions of the Jews in Rome were noted.

"And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken,
and some disbelieved."
Acts 28:24

This kind of mixed response was not new to Paul. He had seen this before, many times over (cf. Acts 13:42-48; 17:32-34). There would always be people who believe while others reject the Gospel.

SAD CONCLUDING WORDS

As Paul watched the group of Jews prepare to leave at the end of the day, he was reminded of a passage in the Scriptures. Those were also the words that Jesus spoke, once before (cf. Matthew 13:14-15).

"So when they did not agree among themselves,
they departed after Paul had said one word:
'The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet
to our fathers, saying:
"Go to this people and say:
'Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.'"
Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God
has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!'
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed
and had a great dispute among themselves."
Acts 28:25-29

1. "Great dispute among themselves"

This seemed to be the most typical trait of the Jews. They were ready to debate on just about anything. It didn't matter who spoke, whether it was Jesus Himself or the apostle Paul. These unbelieving Jews would find something to debate on.

2. A spiritual analysis

Paul's analysis came from his understanding of the Scriptures. The Spirit of the Lord Himself was obviously involved in guiding Paul in his analysis of the scenario at hand.

a) The dulling of the heart

Through years of unbelief, the heart had become dull. It was incapable of response even if the Word of God was carefully and clearly explained.

b) The loss of spiritual hearing

As some become hard of hearing because of the passage of time, even so, many of the Jews had become hard of hearing where the Word of God was concerned.

c) The loss of spiritual sight

As age creeps up, there may be the loss of sight. That is always sad. However, there was something much worse than the loss of physical sight. That would be the loss of spiritual vision.

These were the sad concluding words Paul gave to the Jews as they departed! His words were backed up by similar experiences everywhere he went.

SALVATION FOR THE GENTILES

It was at Antioch, Pisidia that Paul first made this declaration - that God's salvation was given to Gentiles. He had to repeat himself in Rome. Let us recall what he said in Antioch, Pisidia.

"It was necessary that the Word of God should be
spoken to you first; but since you reject it,
and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life,
behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has
commanded us:
'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
Acts 13:46-47

The loss of the Jews was the gain of the Gentiles! The latter would be glad to learn that salvation from God was available to them (cf. Acts 13:48)!

INCARCERATED IN ROME FOR TWO YEARS

The book of Acts concludes with Paul incarcerated in Rome for two years.

"Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house,
and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom
of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord
Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him."
Acts 28:30-31

1. The Sanhedrin Council had failed

The vicious plans of the Sanhedrin Council to destroy Paul had failed miserably! Paul was not stopped! He continued to preach and teach, albeit from a rented place, and under house arrest. Apart from the fact that he could not move about as freely as he was wont to, the fact was that Paul had freedom to preach and teach as he had always done!

2. The triumph of the Gospel

Paul had been the champion for the cause of preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles. He paid dearly for being faithful and true to his mission! He suffered terribly, but because of his spirit of perseverance, the Gospel triumphed over all circumstances!

3. The Message of the Kingdom of God

Paul's central message was always the pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus Christ. He proclaimed what Jesus Himself preached, "Repent, the kingdom of God is at hand." Through his great efforts, many entered into the kingdom of heaven.

"YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES"

This was the command and challenge that Jesus gave to His disciples (cf. Acts 1:8). The disciples, taking this great commission seriously, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, "filled all Jerusalem" with the doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 5:28).

The original disciples were not the only ones who took the challenge to be witnesses to heart. Paul, a brand new convert, also determined within his heart that he too would bear witness for Jesus. He ministered as a witness far and wide for the cause of Christ! Finally, he reached Rome, the heart of the mighty Roman Empire. Though he was under house arrest, Paul continued to receive all who came to him. Through his faithful witness, many more were reached for Christ!

THE CHALLENGE TODAY: TO BE TRUE TO GOD

How challenging are the lives of the great servants of God! They may have passed on, but they have left behind a rich spiritual legacy. What made these servants of God so mighty in life and ministry? Perhaps, this poem would help illustrate the secret of their spiritual power. They believed in God, and that He reigned. They determined that they would be true to Him always.

What matter if the clouds hang low?
What matter if the bleak winds blow?
What matter if I do not know
The reason why these things are so?
God reigns! I will be true!

What matter if my friends are few?
What matter where they are, or who?
What matter what men say or do?
What matter what God leads us through?
He reigns! I will be true!

What matter if this life is brief?
What matter if I have toil or grief?
I, in my Saviour, find relief.
Of all my joys, He is the chief.
God reigns! I will be true!

No matter what I must resign;
No matter how the fire refine,
If I but with His image shine,
By faith I clasp His hand divine.
God reigns! I will be true!

No matter if my bark is frail,
In Jesus' Name I breast the gale.
No matter if all else shall fail,
My anchor holds within the vail.
God reigns! I will be true!

Anonymous

~Pastor Charlie Tan~