1) What do you do when people won’t listen to the truth? Is there a time to move on to others who will listen?
2) How do people respond to the good news of Jesus today? Has the way people respond changed over the years?
3) What could keep you from sharing your faith? What situation might limit your ability to tell your story?
Upon arriving in Rome, Paul operated in the same manner he had throughout his journeys. His first contact in Rome was with the Jews (28:17). He had a heart for his people and wanted them to believe the truth. However, as usual, he found he had to go beyond the Jews to those who were opening to hearing his message (28:28).
As Paul meets with the Jews of Rome, we find the same response to his message as always: “Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe (28:24).” This is the sad reality still today. We offer a message of hope, comfort and peace, but not everyone will believe.
The final verse of Acts finds Paul faithfully carrying out God’s purpose for him. He was still under arrest, although he enjoyed a little more freedom (28:16). Yet this did not hamper his efforts to preach about the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ (28:31). In fact, it is during this time that Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians. The story of Acts ends leaving us hanging as to what becomes of Paul. While we don’t have all the details, we can be sure that Paul was on mission until his final day on earth.
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