Paul’s trial in Rome Acts 28:17-30

Introduction

Pauls desire since the road to Damascus experience he had was for the world to be saved. Everything Paul did was for the mission of the church which is also known as the great commission found in Acts 1:8 “8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Through the churches ministry and the mission work of Paul the gospel was reaching places in the uttermost part of the earth. All of Asia had heard the good news of the gospel and churches were established, the reach of the new testament church was amazing. Before Paul made it to Rome a church had been established there and now Paul would get an opportunity to share the Gospel in Rome.

One of the most amazing things about the Apostle Paul was his resilience in the declaration of the Gospel. Nothing could slow him down and we will see that this morning as we look at Pauls trial in Rome.

Pauls introduction vs. 17-20

Notice first the audience of this presentation in verse 17

He called the chief of the Jews

In every city Paul went to on his missionary journey, he always started with the Jews, sharing the gospel with them, here in Rome, the pattern didn’t change.

We know that while the Jews had a hatred toward Paul, he loved them and wanted their eyes to be opened as his were.

Romans 10:1 “1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”

He continues by telling the Jewish leaders there that he wasn’t there to bring charges against the people, but to prove his innocence that he hadn’t committed anything against the fathers.

One commentary said this “Not knowing the accusations against him had been circulated in Rome, he had to assert his own innocence in order, it was ti be hoped, to clear the way for a hearing for the gospel.”

He had been declared innocent in the Roman court by three people vs. 18

He appeared before Felix, Festus and Agrippa and in open court had been declared innocent.

I’m sure those gathered for this introduction were wondering why, if he had really been cleared of all charges, why is he now appearing before them in bonds. Paul answers this unspoken question in verse 19

Because the Jews spake against his release, he had to appeal to Caesar

Paul left more unsaid than what he shared, but his audience would know that the injustice had to be pretty bad for a Jew to appeal unto Caesar, as they had no love for Gentile Rome.

Notice Paul’s careful wording in verse 20 as he introduces them to Jesus.

As he did earlier in Acts he introduces them to Jesus as the hope of Israel. Jesus was the hope their fathers looked forward to and who we look back at. Jesus is the only hope for the world!

Because of his declaration of Jesus he is bound by this chain.

In Ephesians he tells them that he is an ambassador in bonds for the sake of the Gospel.

Paul’s goal whether free or a prisoner was to declare the Gospel, is it ours?

The chief of the Jews response vs. 21-24

The begin by telling him they have no letters or people who have come to bring charges against him.

It seems that the Sanhedrin realized if they couldn’t get Paul convicted in local court there was no way they could get him convicted in the supreme court, so they were satisfied with just getting him away from their life were they were comfortable in their religion, and had no desire of a relationship with Jesus.

They desired to hear from him on this sect.

They might not have heard of Paul but they had heard of Christianity.

They hadn’t heard anything good about it and really only heard people speak against it, but they were willing to hear from him on this subject.

Like all throughout the book of Acts, they asked, but they didn’t really know what they were asking. Paul was always prepared to declare the good news of the Gospel with anyone who would listen, and here they were asking him to share Jesus with them.

On the day appointed many came to the place he was staying to hear what he had to say.

Whether curiosity or hate or a little of both drove them to Pauls residence they were there and Paul wasn’t going to waste this opportunity

Paul persuaded them using the law of Moses and the Prophets from morning until evening.

His theme was the kingdom of God, and he gave them a survey of the scripture.

He showed them Christ and showed how he came to earth, lived a sinless life, died the death of the cross, shedding his blood for the sins of the whole world, was buried and rose again the third day defeating death and hell.

The response to the gospel here shows the only two responses there are to the gospel.

Some believed the things that were said.

They didn’t waste anytime, they heard the Gospel, they believed the Gospel and they recieved Christ as their saviour.

Some believed not.

While some believed, others didn’t. This is a choice that can lead to eternal separation from a Holy God.

Every time the gospel is preached heaven and hell are in the balance, eternal issues are at stake

What choice will you make this morning?

Their final rejection vs. 25-29

After they depart, rejecting the Gospel, Paul quotes Isaiah pronouncing Judgement of the Jews.

Verses 26-29 is a quote from Isaiah 6:9-10.

Phillips said this “This quotation from Isaiah 6:9-10 was of the deepest spiritual significance. It was given to the prophet when he was anointed by God for his ministry “in the year King Uzziah died” It was directed initially to the apostate Northern tribes soon to be handed over to Assyria for punishment and deportation. The terrible denunciation it contained rang he death knell over the Northern Kingdom.

This Prophecy is mentioned seven times in the scriptures.

Christ used it twice, first when great opposition had been brought against him over him not allowing the Synagogues made up laws on the sabbath when Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the sabbath day, he left the synagogue and then he healed a demon possessed man, and the Pharisees accused him of casting out demons in the power of Beelzebub.

The second was during Christ triumphal entry in John 12:34–37 “34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? 35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. 36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. 37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:”

Because of the Jews rejection of Christ the Messiah, now God would use the gentiles as his mouth piece.

Its important to remember that God isn’t done with Israel, the church did not replace Israel, but we are the instrument that God chose to share the Messiah with the world in the Church age we live in.

Paul closes his argument in verse 28 where he echos what he said in Pisidian Antioch and Corinth that He would go to the Gentiles now.

In the book of Acts we see the church go from a primarily Jewish Church to a Primarily Gentile Church. And through the spread of Christianity by the Gentiles, Christianity reached places like England and from there spread to America. The Gospel is still on the move among the Gentiles and we cannot stop sharing the gospel till every tribe, tongue and nation has heard the good news of the Gospel

The Jews departed and seem to continue to think on what Paul had just told them.

Paul continues in Rome for two years vs. 30-31

Paul stayed in Rome on house arrest for two years and recieved all that came in to him.

Notice he didn’t talk about the weather or his favorite sports team, he talked about the kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ.

He had great confidence in Christ, Do you?

Conclusion

Christian, do you have the resilience necessary to share the Gospel in the midst of adversity?

Maybe you’re here this morning and you’re at a cross roads like the Roman Jews who came to see what Paul had to say? Will you believe in the Gospel, the death burial and resurrection of Jesus or will you believe not. Its a time of decision and the decision is up to you!