Sunday School                August 29^th, 2010            Acts 28:16-25, 28-31

 

Acts

The title now given to the fifth and last of the historical books of the New Testament. The author styles it a "treatise" (Acts 1:1). It was early called "The Acts," "The Gospel of the Holy Ghost," and "The Gospel of the Resurrection." It contains properly no account of any of the apostles except Peter and Paul. John is noticed only three times; and all that is recorded of James, the son of Zebedee, is his execution by Herod.

 

As regards its authorship, it was certainly the work of Luke, the "beloved physician" (Compare Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1). This is the uniform tradition of antiquity, although the writer nowhere makes mention of himself by name. The style and idiom of the Gospel of Luke and of the Acts, and the usage of words and phrases common to both, strengthen this opinion. The writer first appears in the narrative in Acts 16:11, and then disappears till Paul's return to Philippi two years afterwards, when he and Paul left that place together (Acts 20:6), and the two seem henceforth to have been constant companions to the end. He was certainly with Paul at Rome (Acts 28; Col 4:14). Thus he wrote a great portion of that history from personal observation. For what lay beyond his own experience he had the instruction of Paul. If, as is very probable, 2Tim. was written during Paul's second imprisonment at Rome, Luke was with him then as his faithful companion to the last (2Ti 4:11). Of his subsequent history we have no certain information.

 

The design of Luke's Gospel was to give an exhibition of the character and work of Christ as seen in his history till he was taken up from his disciples into heaven; and of the Acts, as its sequel, to give an illustration of the power and working of the gospel when preached among all nations, "beginning at Jerusalem." The opening sentences of the Acts are just an expansion and an explanation of the closing words of the Gospel. In this book we have just a continuation of the history of the church after Christ's ascension. Luke here carries on the history in the same spirit in which he had commenced it. It is only a book of beginnings, a history of the founding of churches, the initial steps in the formation of the Christian society in the different places visited by the apostles. It records a cycle of "representative events."

 

All through the narrative we see the ever-present, all-controlling power of the ever-living Saviour. He worketh all and in all in spreading abroad his truth among men by his Spirit and through the instrumentality of his apostles.

 

The time of the writing of this history may be gathered from the fact that the narrative extends down to the close of the second year of Paul's first imprisonment at Rome. It could not therefore have been written earlier than A.D. 61 or 62, nor later than about the end of A.D. 63. Paul was probably put to death during his second imprisonment, about A.D. 64, or, as some think, 66.

 

The place where the book was written was probably Rome, to which Luke accompanied Paul.

 

The key to the contents of the book is in Acts 1:8, "Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." After referring to what had been recorded in a "former treatise" of the sayings and doings of Jesus Christ before his ascension, the author proceeds to give an account of the circumstances connected with that event, and then records the leading facts with reference to the spread and triumphs of Christianity over the world during a period of about thirty years. The record begins with Pentecost (A.D. 33) and ends with Paul's first imprisonment (A.D. 63 or 64). The whole contents of the book may be divided into these three parts;

 

(1.) Chaps. 1-12, describing the first twelve years of the Christian church. This section has been entitled "From Jerusalem to Antioch." It contains the history of the planting and extension of the church among the Jews by the ministry of Peter.

 

(2.) Chaps. 13-21, Paul's missionary journeys, giving the history of the extension and planting of the church among the Gentiles.

 

(3.) Chaps. 21-28, Paul at Rome, and the events which led to this. Chaps. 13-28 have been entitled "From Antioch to Rome."

 

In this book it is worthy of note that no mention is made of the writing by Paul of any of his epistles. This may be accounted for by the fact that the writer confined himself to a history of the planting of the church, and not to that of its training or edification. The relation, however, between this history and the epistles of Paul is of such a kind, i.e., brings to light so many undesigned coincidences, as to prove the genuineness and authenticity of both, as is so ably shown by Paley in his Horae Paulinae. "No ancient work affords so many tests of veracity; for no other has such numerous points of contact in all directions with contemporary history, politics, and topography, whether Jewish, or Greek, or Roman." Lightfoot. (See PAUL.)

 

—Easton's Illustrated Dictionary

 

Luke

Luke, the evangelist, was a Gentile. The date and circumstances of his conversion are unknown. According to his own statement (Luke 1:2), he was not an "eye-witness and minister of the word from the beginning." It is probable that he was a physician in Troas, and was there converted by Paul, to whom he attached himself. He accompanied him to Philippi, but did not there share his imprisonment, nor did he accompany him further after his release in his missionary journey at this time (Acts 17:1). On Paul's third visit to Philippi (Acts 20:5, 6) we again meet with Luke, who probably had spent all the intervening time in that city, a period of seven or eight years. From this time Luke was Paul's constant companion during his journey to Jerusalem (Acts 20:6-21:18). He again disappears from view during Paul's imprisonment at Jerusalem and Caesarea, and only reappears when Paul sets out for Rome (Acts 27:1), whither he accompanies him (Acts 28:2, 12-16), and where he remains with him till the close of his first imprisonment (Phm 1:24; Col 4:14). The last notice of the "beloved physician" is in 2Ti 4:11.

 

There are many passages in Paul's epistles, as well as in the writings of Luke, which show the extent and accuracy of his medical knowledge. 

—Easton's Illustrated Dictionary

 

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.

 

House arrest

Paul was probably imprisoned in Rome on two separate occasions.  This is an account certainly of his 1^st detention.  It seems his treatment was not harsh as he was allowed to dwell by himself with a guard accompanying him.  He is evidently not in a dungeon or torture chamber.  It allows Paul the ability to meet with folks to deliver his message of Jesus Christ and certainly to write his epistles which have blessed billions of believers who have followed.

 

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.

 

The order of the advancement of the Gospel

Paul was commanded by God to preach the gospel in these areas in a certain order.  Jesus Himself offered the Kingdom to the Jews first and only after the Kingdom was rejected did the Plan of Salvation turn to the Gentiles.  Paul’s ministry followed the same progression.  Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”  It is so gracious of God to maintain an effort to convert the Jews who rejected and crucified the Lord of Glory.  His mercy is beyond our imagination!

 

28:18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 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. 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.

 

The will of God

Paul realizes he is imprisoned due to the will of God.  He has done nothing criminal. Acts 26:31-32 “And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 26:32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.” It is the eternal battle between God and Satan which is going on here.  Satan wants to thwart the progression of the gospel unto the Gentiles.  Satan is not omniscient.  Whenever God allows him to put believers through trials they are always for our good and the furtherance of the gospel.  God uses Satan to achieve His will.  Sometimes we can’t figure out why we are forced to endure such trouble, but God has a plan.  The end of the thing will be a plus for us and for the Kingdom!

 

28:21  And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of thee. 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.

 

Out of the Jew’s hair

The leaders of the Jewish nation had wanted to kill Paul.  They hated him for his attempt to convert folks to Christianity.  They made their living through the sacrificial system of the Temple.  They had no desire to convert and put themselves out of business.  Once Paul had been arrested and deported to Rome they evidently didn’t care enough to pursue his criminal charges any longer.  They were just glad to be rid of him.  Notice something else here.  Some modern folks claim Paul turned to Christianity for his own fame and glory.  This shows that thinking is pure idiocy.  Christianity was spoken against in almost every circle of the ancient world.  To become a Christian was not a move up for Paul as far as society goes.  He had to give up his promising career in the Jewish religion.  He placed himself in danger of losing his own life.  He lost whatever friends he had and all of his political connections.  He was persecuted by Satan at every turn.  No one would be foolish enough to take this burden upon oneself unless he was born again and truly believed Christ was the Messiah of the world!

 

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. 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

 

Preaching out of the Old Testament

I’ve had preachers tell me that one should never preach out of the Old Testament.  This is foolish logic.  Here Paul preached Jesus from the Law of Moses and the prophets; in other words, out of the Old Testament.  Phillip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian Eunuch from the Book of Isaiah.  The Bible tells us this concerning the Old Testament Scriptures.  1^st Corinthians 10:11 “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”  It’s clear one can preach from any section of the Bible as long as salvation through Jesus Christ is the subject of the message. 

 

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, 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

28:29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

 

The plan of salvation

This denial of Christ by the great majority of the Jewish nation was all in the plan of God written for the salvation of mankind before the foundation of this world was ever laid. I will demonstrate what I’m talking about with three Scriptures which clearly state God Himself blinded the Jewish nation in order to bring the Gentile nation unto Him for salvation.

·       John 12:39-40 “Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 12:40  He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

·       Romans 11:7-8 “What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 11:8  (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

·       Romans 11:17-26 “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.  11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 11:24  For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”

 

Paul realized his mission was not to the Jewish nation, but unto the Gentiles who had been ignorant of God before hearing Paul reason from the Scripture.  He always made an effort to win Jews, but he knew his real calling was not to them, but to the lost folks of the Gentile persuasion.

 

28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

 

Faithful Paul

Even in prison Paul continued to win souls to Jesus Christ.  I love the irony Paul employed in his letter to the Philippians.  Philippians 4:22 “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.” Rome, under the influence of Satan, put Paul in prison to stop his preaching, but he is winning souls in Caesar’s household despite being imprisoned.  It is a wonderful testament to the power of God, the inspiration of the Gospel, and in my humble opinion, to the sense of humor of the Apostle. I sense a definite playful jab at the inability of Satan to stop the Gospel.  Evidently Paul was not all work and no play. 

 

New Living Translation (recommended as a commentary only)

16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier. 17 Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. 18 The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, for they found no cause for the death sentence. 19 But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. 20 I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could tell you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”21 They replied, “We have heard nothing against you. We have had no letters from Judea or reports from anyone who has arrived here. 22 But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about these Christians* is that they are denounced everywhere.”23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s house. He told them about the Kingdom of God and taught them about Jesus from the Scriptures—from the five books of Moses and the books of the prophets. He began lecturing in the morning and went on into the evening. 24 Some believed and some didn’t. 25 But after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to our ancestors through Isaiah the prophet, 28 So I want you to realize that this salvation from God is also available to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.” 30 For the next two years, Paul lived in his own rented house.* He welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the Kingdom of God with all boldness and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

 

 

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