Acts 28:11-31 | It's Just the BeginningSample

The Way of the Gospel

Paul is in Rome. There’s a soldier to guard him while he’s awaiting his appeal before Caesar, but he is allowed to live by himself.

Three days after settling in, Luke tells us that he called together the local Jewish leaders. Paul’s entire missionary history has been going to synagogues, and throughout that history, some came to faith in Christ while others rejected Christ—and sometimes rejected violently.

So it should come as no surprise that here in Rome, Paul does the same thing, and that the same thing happens.

Such is the way of the gospel.

This can be hard, when you’re the one sharing, and when you desperately want people you care about to turn to the salvation of God offered in Jesus.

In this case, though, it’s as though Paul is anticipating pushback. When you read Acts 28, it’s almost like Paul is trying to get out ahead of any controversy proceeding him.

Here’s what Luke says—

Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 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 28:17-20, NIV).

I did not intend to bring any charge against my own people.

It is because of the hope of Israel (and let’s add, that I share with you) that I am bound with this chain.

To the end, Paul continues to go about bringing the hope of Israel to the people of Israel wherever he finds himself, even after being rejected by so many. Because God so loved the world… That’s what Acts, the Church, and the Christian journey are about.

How about you? Who’s on your heart? Who’s in your circle? How can you go about bringing the gospel to them?