NT 260: Part TwoSample

Paul, who has now survived multiple incidents which should have killed him, arrives in Rome and the book of Acts abruptly ends. Paul finally makes it to Rome, which was the desire he expressed in Romans. He can now communicate directly to the Christians in Rome what he was only able to do in writing before. Acts probably ends this way because that is what is happening when Luke writes the book. It’s a frustrating ending because we want to know if Paul goes to trial and how it turns out. Our best understanding from reading Paul’s writings and historical tradition is that he was tried and released, but is later arrested again and executed.

Nothing could stop Paul from talking about Jesus. He knew his purpose and could not be distracted. Persecution, rejection, death threats, prison, shipwreck, and his own prejudices toward Gentiles were all endured and accepted to allow him to serve Jesus. If we were all like him, what would our world look like today?