Tag: Acts 28
Hard hearts block Good News
Scripture reading for June 12: Acts 28
“When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning to 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. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your father through Isaiah the Prophet: “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull and with their ears they can barely hear, because their eyes they have closed; let they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'” Acts 28:23-27 (Isaiah 6:9-10)
Paul was in Rome, having survived the long and interrupted boat trip. He was a prisoner under Roman guard, but free to visit with fellow believers and Jews. As a Jew, Paul always wanted to offer Jesus to them first. He called together the leaders of the Jews in Rome, explaining how he got there and scheduling a time to meet with them. On that day, Paul expounded to them Jesus, the kingdom of God, and the Gospel message. Some believed but others disbelieved. There was conflict with them concerning Paul and his Good News.
Paul closed the meeting with truth from the Prophet Isaiah and applying that Word to the Jews who refused to believe. They heard but didn’t hear. They saw, but refused to see. They had stopped up their ears and closed their eyes on purpose, not responding in faith but rejecting truth. Because of this, God could not heal them and set them free. Paul was now free to preach to the Gentiles in Rome. God had sent him there and provided each opportunity, although in custody and a prisoner!
Have you ever suffered with a hard heart that refused to listen to God’s Word or see God at work? Why are religious people often the hardest to reach with God’s Good News? Why do you think Paul was so direct in using Scripture to confront the Jews, knowing it would cause anger against him?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this record of Paul faithfully preaching the Good News to Jews and Gentiles. Give me wisdom and boldness to preach Your Word as led by the Holy Spirit to break through hard hearts and stopped ears. Help me to leave results up to You and pray for those not believing. Amen.
Two years under house arrest!
Scripture reading for June 13th: Acts 28
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 28:30-31 “For two whole years Paul stayed there (Rome) in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul made it to Rome as the Lord had promised him. Although a prisoner of Rome in chains, he was met there by some brothers and they obviously helped him rent a house while he awaited trial before Caesar. The court system there was also very slow, so Paul had time to visit, preach and write letters without hindrance! God is amazing in how He supplies and uses even things we might view as a hindrance to bring about His purposes and care for His people. Out of this time under house arrest, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon! Also the whole Roman guard and some royal officials heard a bold proclamation of the Gospel. What a wealth of understanding and truth came from Paul as he followed the “Way”, Jesus Christ!
Observations for over-comers: We must never get worried over delays or circumstances that are not under our control. God is always working out His plans and stands beside us to guide and direct His will to be accomplished. “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.” (Psalm 33:10-11)
Bound by the Hope of Israel!
Scripture reading for June 12th: Acts 28
By following Paul’s Spirit-directed instructions, all aboard the ship reached the island safely but the ship was demolished. God cares about all men, desiring their salvation!
During the next three months, Paul ministered to the Roman official in charge of the island by praying for his father. God healed him and then many other sick from the island were also healed through Paul’s ministry. The Gospel was preached by Paul and God’s compassion for the lost there was demonstrated through his ministry of healing. God used the journey of Paul as a prisoner to take him where He wanted him to go and minister to the people He had set before him. God used the Roman centurion to protect Paul and the Roman government to pay for the voyage and Paul’s room and board!
After the three months of wintering there, Paul and the prisoners boarded an Alexandrian ship that was marked by the figure of the Greek gods Castor and Pollux. Paul did not refuse to go because of this! He arrived in Rome, explaining to the brothers how God had brought him to Rome: “For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the Hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” (Acts 28:20)
The Book of Acts ends with Paul as a prisoner in Rome. He was placed there by God’s direction to minister to those God would open doors for. For two years, Paul was under a form of house arrest and from there he wrote many of the letters of the New Testament to the churches he had helped to found as a missionary. “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 28:31)