| Summary: |
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:38, 39
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| Introduction: |
It might appear that the book of Acts comes to a sudden end. Paul is not judged. He is not martyred. The book closes with Paul making the statement, "the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles." The conclusion of the book of Acts teaches us why today the majority of Jews reject the Messiah and why most followers of the Messiah (false churches included) are gentiles. |
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| 1. |
Agabus the prophet proclaimed what concerning Paul? Acts 21:10, 11 |
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Agabus the prophet foretold and demonstrated how the Jews at Jerusalem would bound the apostle Paul and deliver him into the hands of the Romans. |
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| Acts 21:10 | And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. | | Acts 21:11 | And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. |
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| 2. |
Luke, Philip, and others did not understand this prophecy and God's purpose? What did they say to Paul? Acts 21:12 |
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It is only natural to attempt to secure and save the lives of the ones we love, the companions of Paul were no different; they endeavoured to prevent him from going to Jerusalem in an attempt to prevent Paul from being captured and delivered to the Romans. |
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| Acts 21:12 | And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. |
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| 3. |
Everything that Paul experienced from his encounter with Steven until this prophecy prepared him for what? Acts 21:13 |
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Such display of love for the savoir should be the passion of every believer. Paul was willing to give his life for the proliferation of the word of YHWH. |
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| Acts 21:13 | Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. |
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| 4. |
Who did Paul call when he reached Rome? Acts 28:16, 17 |
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On arrival into Rome Paul called for the leaders of the Jews so as to inform them of the purpose of his bounds, and to proclaim the name of Jesus. |
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| Acts 28:16 | And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. | | Acts 28:17 | And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. |
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| 5. |
Was it necessary for Paul to be bound? Acts 28:18 |
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No there was no lawful purpose for arresting Paul. |
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| Acts 28:18 | Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. |
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| 6. |
Who did he say did not want him released? Acts 28:19 |
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The Jews did not want Paul speaking of Christ, they thought he was a heretic therefore they wanted to get rid of him. |
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| Acts 28:19 | But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. |
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| 7. |
What strong desire did Paul have? Why was he in chains? Acts 28:20 |
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Paul had a strong desire to proclaim the hope of Israel which is Christ Jesus; he wanted all Israel to know of the common salvation which was afforded through the love of Christ. He was proud to have been imprisoned for his faith. |
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| Acts 28:20 | For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. |
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| 8. |
What did the Roman Jews know about Paul and the followers of Jesus? Acts 28:21,22 |
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The Jews at Roman knew very little of Paul and the saving power of Jesus Christ, every reference they heard of Paul’s way of life was negative, so they readily and curiously gave Paul an audience. |
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| Acts 28:21 | And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. | | Acts 28:22 | But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. |
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| 9. |
Paul had a strong love for the Jews. His love caused him to do what? How many hours a day did he do it? Acts 28:23 |
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Because of Paul's great love for his people, he sort occasion to enlighten the Jews of the way and significance of the death and resurrection of Christ. His discourse lasted from morning until evening.
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| Acts 28:23 | And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. |
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| 10. |
Did Paul's teaching have an affect on them? Acts 28:24 |
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Yes it did, the verdict was mixed: some believed while yet some doubted.
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| Acts 28:24 | And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. |
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| 11. |
The result of this division was what? Acts 28:25 |
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This division amongst the Jews cause Paul to quote Isaiah the prophet and to testify of YHWH's wonderful grace, "Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it." |
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| Acts 28:25 | And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, |
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| 12. |
Why did the Jews leave? Acts 28:25-27 |
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The Jews left because they understood Paul was making direct reference to them through Isaiah and they took offense. How sad it is when we are confronted with truth but choose to be willingly ignorant. |
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| Acts 28:25 | And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, | | Acts 28:26 | Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: | | Acts 28:27 | For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. |
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| 13. |
This decision was not good for the Jews. Who did it benefit? Acts 28:28 |
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Halleluyah! YHWH's ways are far above our ways, He always had us on His mind.
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| Acts 28:28 | Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. |
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| 14. |
How does the book of Acts close? Acts 28:30, 31 |
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The book of Acts closes the way all believers’ life should be spent. Although Paul was imprisoned, he spent his days proclaiming the kingdom of YHWH which is made available through faith in Jesus Christ His son. |
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| Acts 28:30 | And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, | | Acts 28:31 | Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. |
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| Conclusion: |
After rejecting the gospel at Jerusalem and again at Rome, the Jewish leaders set a bad example for generations to come. Few Jews today accept Jesus as the Messiah. Paul spent two years at Rome teaching the gentiles. He also wrote most of the New Testament to gentiles. Romans 11:18. |
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| Conclusion: |
We should always be zealous for the word of YHWH, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Rom 8:35, 36.
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This page was updated by: Bro.Patrick tripple7@vipowernet.net on 8/1/2010 10:12:31 AM |
