acts:
the holy spirit working through...
jan 26 - 9am contemporary
jan 26 - 11am traditional
january 26
The Holy Spirit Working... The End is the beginning
Acts 28.11-31 . Dennis whitcher
Dear Grace Family,
Paul reaches Rome. Our Scripture passage today records the continuation of the Paul's journey to Rome. The survivors spend the three months of winter on Malta before catching another Alexandrian ship. It takes them as far as Puteoli where Paul, Aristarchus, and Luke find a group of believers. These friends host them for a week before the trio finish their trip to Rome; more friends from Rome escort them the final few miles. Once in Rome, Paul is again placed under house arrest, this time with a soldier on guard.
Paul is finally introduced to the Jews in Rome. They haven't heard anything negative about Paul but have serious doubts about Jesus of Nazareth. Like Jews in every city Paul has visited, they wish to know more about Jesus and set a time to meet.
Luke records that disappointing meeting. Paul explains how Jesus fulfills the Mosaic law and the prophecies of Jewish Scriptures, but only some believe. Now, he watches his hopes dashed.
During Paul's two-year stay in Rome, ironically, he is safer than he has been in decades, and he is able to preach freely to his many visitors so long as he doesn't leave.
Luke concludes Paul's story here, but Paul's letters give more information. He probably writes the prison epistles during this time: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. After two years, Paul regains his freedom and embarks on another missionary journey.
We will also look at our study of the Book of Acts and see what it means for us.
In Christ,
Dennis Whitcher
Paul reaches Rome. Our Scripture passage today records the continuation of the Paul's journey to Rome. The survivors spend the three months of winter on Malta before catching another Alexandrian ship. It takes them as far as Puteoli where Paul, Aristarchus, and Luke find a group of believers. These friends host them for a week before the trio finish their trip to Rome; more friends from Rome escort them the final few miles. Once in Rome, Paul is again placed under house arrest, this time with a soldier on guard.
Paul is finally introduced to the Jews in Rome. They haven't heard anything negative about Paul but have serious doubts about Jesus of Nazareth. Like Jews in every city Paul has visited, they wish to know more about Jesus and set a time to meet.
Luke records that disappointing meeting. Paul explains how Jesus fulfills the Mosaic law and the prophecies of Jewish Scriptures, but only some believe. Now, he watches his hopes dashed.
During Paul's two-year stay in Rome, ironically, he is safer than he has been in decades, and he is able to preach freely to his many visitors so long as he doesn't leave.
Luke concludes Paul's story here, but Paul's letters give more information. He probably writes the prison epistles during this time: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. After two years, Paul regains his freedom and embarks on another missionary journey.
We will also look at our study of the Book of Acts and see what it means for us.
In Christ,
Dennis Whitcher