End of the Acts

Conclusion of the Acts

Acts 28:11 NASB95

11 At the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead.

Castor and Pollux: Twin sons of Zeus.

Acts 28:12–13 NASB95

12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

Rage E um

Pu T Oli

Acts 28:14–15 NASB95

14 There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

43 and 33 Miles away.

Acts 28:16 NASB95

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

House arrest rather than prison.

Acts 28:17–19 NASB95

17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 “And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 “But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.

Paul didn’t have charges against Isreal

Acts 28:20 NASB95

20 “For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”

Acts 28:21–22 NASB95

21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 “But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.”

Sect: Choice or Option.

Acts 28:23–24 NASB95

23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.

Acts 28:25 NASB95

25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,

From Isaiah 6:9-10 he quoted

Acts 28:26–27 NASB95

26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.” ’

Acts 28:28–31 NASB95

28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” 29 When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves. 30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

SHOW UP

When Paul made it to Rome Paul, the brethren showed up.

Brethren - Adelphios

Of the same womb.

Later in this chapter Paul calls the Jews brothers.

Commonality and affection.

Luke calls the believers of Christ brothers, because they showed up for them.

Paul calls the Jews brothers because he was willing to show up for them.

MC members will call each other brother almost exclusively.

John Dickson is my friend and he calls me friend, but I call him brother.

Jesus preached that you should love your neighbor as yourself.

He was asked, who is my neighbor?

Jesus answered the question in the parable of the good samaritan.

Luke 10:30–37 NASB95

30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 “And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 “Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

“felt compassion”

Connection and affection.

When Jesus told them to Go and do the same he was talking to you and me too.

And that starts by showing up.

We are called to sacrificial giving

Acts 28:20 NASB95

20 “For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.”

Acts 26:6–7 NASB95

6 “And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.

Covenant Theology

Dispensationalism

New Covenant Theology

They all agree that the only for an individual to have peace with God eternally is through Christ.

Ephesians 2:8–9 NASB95

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

He desperately wanted the Jews to be saved.

Romans 9:1–5 (NASB95)

1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,

2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.

3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,

4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises,

5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

John 3:16 NASB95

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Either you don’t believe it or you don’t love like you claim to.

Paul Harvey

Luke ends Acts in an odd place.

Acts spans from 30- 62 AD.

We know that Paul was Martyred by Nero, but we don’t know exactly when.

Acts leaves us with Paul under house arrest in Rome.

1st and 2nd Timothy are used to speculate that Paul may have been released for a time and then arrested again and taken back to Rome.

It was written sometime before 68 AD.

68-70 Jewish Roman war. The temple was destroyed.

We don’t know