Acts 28:23-31

Paul remained a prisoner at Rome Acts 28:23-31: Many Jews came to Paul's house. He used the Law and the Prophets to talk to them about God's kingdom (church). His goal was to "persuade them concerning Jesus." Our goal must also be to try to win people over to Jesus. "Some of the leaders agreed with what Paul said, but others did not." When some began to leave, Paul reminded them of words spoken by Isaiah the prophet saying, "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." Sadly the Jews would not listen. But Paul said you can be sure that God wants to save the Gentiles and they will listen.

The book of Acts closed without giving us details about what finally happened to Paul. The closing words were, "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." Paul was allowed to live in quietness and safety. He received all hospitably and kindly. Some came to show him kindness, and others to listen to his teaching. Paul preached Christ and His kingdom openly and boldly. Paul wrote, "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel...many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." (1 Peter 1:12-14) Thank God!