August 14, 2022
Acts 28:17-31
“Unleashed – The next chapter…”
Service Overview: While our journey through Acts may be over, the adventure of Acts continues because it’s a story meant to inform and influence all who have turned to Jesus; as we live in obedience to the mission he gave to take the good news of the gospel to all who will listen.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” Acts 1:8 (NIV)
Background Information:
- Paul was not incarcerated in the Roman jail but was put on house arrest. House arrest meant that Paul could enjoy the company of his friends even though he was kept under guard twenty-four hours a day, chained by his wrist to one of the guards. The guards changed shifts every four hours, so in a twenty-four-hour period, six different guards were chained to the Apostle Paul. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 382)
- It seems that Paul’s accusers never came to present their case. Usually, a period of eighteen to twenty-four months was allowed for any such accusation to be brought forth. If there was none, the prisoner was set free. During the two-year period (vv. 30, 31), Paul had liberty to talk with and preach to individuals and groups who came to him in his rented house. Only the assigned soldier was required always to be with him. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 232)
- Because Paul could not visit the synagogue, he invited the synagogue to visit him. Paul called together the leaders of the Jews (28:17). In one sense, this was not unusual. It was Paul’s custom, when visiting a city for the first time, to visit first the local gathering of Jews. But the fact that he continued to minister to God’s chosen people, even after the Jerusalem Jews had worked so hard to kill him, shows how thoroughly God’s grace had transformed Paul. (Phillip A. Bence, Acts, Kindle Location 5149)
- (v.20) The phrase “the hope of Israel” has been mentioned several times by Paul (see 23:6; 24:15; 26:7; 28:20). For Paul, the messianic hope meant the fulfillment of God’s messianic prophecies first given to the patriarch Abraham. For all of its history, the nation looked forward to a time when God’s anointed one would rule over a heavenly kingdom. Because of his conviction that Jesus of Nazareth was that long-awaited Messiah and because of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, Paul was adamant that his message and theology were consistent with Jewish hope through the ages. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 453)
- These were productive years on behalf of the Church. The letters to Philemon, to the Colossians, to the Ephesians, and to the Philippians were written. Their contents tell us that he looked forward to release, that he rejoiced in his preaching ministry, and that he carried a deep concern for the welfare of all the churches. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 301)
The question to answer…
Why does the book of Acts end this way?
Answer…
Because this wasn’t the end, but merely the end of the beginning.
What should stand out to us in this final portion of Acts?
- Paul’s passion and effort to reach his people.
(vv. 17-23 | Jeremiah 23:6; Acts 5:31; 10:42-43; 13:26, 38; Romans 1:16; 9:3; 11:26)
There was no spirit of vengeance or vindictiveness in the heart of Paul. These are the people to whom he had written three years earlier that he would be willing, basically, to lose his salvation if it would mean the conversion of his fellow Jews. So even now in chains Paul is pouring out his heart to the Jewish leaders. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 383)
His purpose, he warmly declared, was only to share with them “the hope of Israel,” the one consuming passion of his life. (Airhart, Acts, 300)
- Paul’s kingdom message and mindset.
(vv. 20, 23, 28-31 | Luke 4:43; 9:62; Acts 1:3-6; 8:12; 14:22; 19:8; Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 4:20; 15:50; Eph. 2:1-10; Col. 1:13; 2 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 4:18)
For Paul, the kingdom was not a concept alone, but the surging power of God released in and through Christ. The Master had begun His ministry declaring that the kingdom was at hand: it was the keynote of His preaching; His parables taught the secrets of accepting it and entering into the flow of its power; His systematic discourses were centered on its true meaning; and the purpose of His passion, resurrection, and return in power was to establish His reign in the lives of His disciples. All that must have been a part of Paul’s teaching there in Rome. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 362)
- Paul’s faith-filled boldness despite his circumstance.
(vv. 30-31 | Prov. 28:1; Rom. 1:16; Eph. 6:19; Phil. 1:14; 2 Tim. 1:7; 1 John 4:18)
We can’t help but wonder how many of these Roman soldiers on their various shifts were reached with the gospel of Christ. Imagine being chained to Paul twenty-four hours a day. You would surely know much about the way of salvation. Only the most obstinate, obdurate sinner could listen to this day after day and not be moved to consider the claims of Jesus Christ. (Donald Grey Barnhouse, Acts, 232)
The close contact with a number of guards over the two years of detention opened up the way to witness to some of Caesar’s choicest military personnel. Doubtless, many a soldier left Paul’s quarters a new man in Christ. Paul’s own estimate of this ministry is given in Phil. 1:12-14. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 299)
Conclusion… How can we witness Acts continue to unfold in our day?
A. By being bold and faithful witnesses of Jesus.
(Matthew 5:16; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16; Colossians 4:6; 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15)
Luke did not write his book simply to record ancient history. He wrote to encourage the church in every age to be faithful to the Lord and carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. “What was begun with so much heroism ought to be continued with ardent zeal,” said Charles Spurgeon, “since we are assured that the same Lord is mighty still to carry on His heavenly designs.” (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 408)
B. By embracing a kingdom-first perspective.
(Is. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44; Mat. 4:17; 6:33; Luke 1:33; 4:43; 6:20; 7:28; 8:1; 9:2; 9:11; 9:27; 9:62; 11:2; 12:31-32; 13:18; John 18:36-37; Rom. 14:17; 1 Cor. 4:20; 6:9; 15:50; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 1:18-23; 2:1-10; Col. 1:13-14; 2 Tim. 4:1; 4:18; Heb. 12:28)
We cannot enjoy the kingdom without being engaged in meeting the King’s goals. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 364)
A kingdom person sees every person and every facet of society as potential realms to be won for the kingdom. We cannot rest easily with injustices or debilitating social conditions. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 364)
The Lord Jesus Christ told his disciples, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matt. 24:14). That end has not yet come. So you and I still have the task of preaching it. Will we? Will we be found faithful? That is the final question for us from Acts. The Word is not hindered. We are its messengers. Will we take the gospel to the ends of the earth beginning with our Jerusalem, as we have been instructed to do? If we will, God will bless it to the praise of the glory of his great grace. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 431)
C. By becoming the kind of community God intended.
(Ps. 133:1; Prov. 27:17; Ecc. 4:9-12; Mat. 5:13-16; Acts 2:42-47; Rom. 12:3-21; 15:7; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:25-27; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 4:15-16; Phil. 2:3-16; Col. 3:13; 1 Thes. 5:14; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Pet. 3:8; 4:8-11; 1 John 1:7; 4:11)
What the next generation needs is what every generation needs: the kind of caring community that can only be found in the church of Jesus Christ. (Phillip Graham Ryken, City on a Hill, 75)
Where these marks are present—the preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, the exercise of discipline, and the practice of community—the Church will inevitably transform the culture around it. (Charles Colson, The Faith: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters, 155-156)
Regardless of what we say, it’s what we do that reveals what we as a church or individual actually believe about God and His will for us. (Henry Blackaby, What the Spirit Is Saying to the Churches, 83)
Gospel Application…
Entering the Kingdom of God is not done through good behavior, but only by turning to and trusting the Savior.
(Luke 13:3; John 3:3; 3:16; 5:24; Acts 3:19; Romans 6:4; 6:23; 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Peter 3:18-22; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:9)
The kingship of Jesus Christ is unlike that of the rulers of this world. He conquers with ambassadors, not armies, and His weapons are truth and love. He brings men peace by upsetting the peace and turning things upside down! He conquers through His cross, where He died for a world of lost sinners. He even died for His enemies (Rom. 5:6–10)! (Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, 376)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- What do you think it means that “boldly and without hindrance” (28:31) Paul preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ?
- Many were profoundly affected by Paul’s confidence in God. When have you been influenced by such confidence in another believer?
- What have you learned from the book of Acts that prepares and equips you to be a witness “to the ends of the earth” (1:8)?
- What practical steps can you take to “keep writing the book” of Acts? What opportunities are available to you to?
- What may encompass having a “kingdom-first” perspective? How might having one impact your decisions or life in general?
Quotes to note…
Luke ends his story on a note of optimism and triumph. His saga of the Church, which began some 30 years before at Jerusalem, ends fittingly at Rome. The gospel has triumphantly penetrated the great cities of the world and reached to its capital. There, under the very eye of imperial Rome, it is being preached unhindered, “no man forbidding.” Luke’s task is ended, but the story is just beginning. Jesus’ ministry through His Church will go on and on. It is an open-ended, unfinished story . The pattern has been established, and a pioneer trail blazed, for unending conquest. (Arnold E. Airhart, Beacon Bible Expositions: Acts, 302)
It is impossible to hear the Word of God and remain neutral. It is impossible to hear the Word of God and be unchanged. When you hear the Word of God, you are moved either toward sanctification or toward hardness of heart. That is what Paul said to these people who were familiar with the Scriptures, who knew the Scriptures, who had listened to the great expositor of the Scriptures. Isaiah had been telling the truth, because the Holy Spirit through Isaiah spoke rightly. (R.C. Sproul, Acts, 385)
Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah to make the point that though the Jews knew all about God in an academic way, they didn’t really know him personally (28:25-27). Though many of them had God’s Word in their heads, it had never filtered down into their hearts and changed their lives. This is the great danger of being religious. (Grant R. Osborne, Life application Bible Commentary: Acts, 454)
In summary, Paul’s message of the kingdom was Christ the Lord. As he had written the Corinthians, “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1 Cor. 4:20). And to the Colossians he asserted that we had been delivered “from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of the Son” (Col. 1:13). When the Lord reigns supreme in us, we become the realm of the kingdom. Then, under His guidance, we become “fellow workers for the kingdom” (Col. 4:11) by seeking to know and do His will in every relationship and responsibility. (Lloyd J. Ogilvie, The Communicator’s Commentary: Acts, 363)
There is a purpose in everything; on the helm of things is the hand of the unseen steersman— God. The door which the Jews shut was the door that opened to the Gentiles; and even that is not the end, because some time, at the end of the day, there will be one flock and one shepherd. (William Barclay, The Acts of the Apostles, 192)
With each new day and each new believer who joins the body of Christ, the book of Acts edges closer to completion. (Ray C. Stedman, God’s Unfinished Book: Acts, 332)
It is not an ending that Luke merely threw in without thought. It is exactly the way Luke wanted his history to end, because no matter how fascinating we may find the histories of Peter, Philip, Paul, or any of those strong personalities who dominate the book, the subject of Luke’s narrative is not the lives of these servants of God but the gospel. Luke is concerned with how the gospel grew and expanded. (James Montgomery Boice, Acts, 425)