17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, 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 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Three days after settling in Rome, Paul called the local Jewish leaders to come to him. Because he was under house arrest, he couldn’t go to them in the synagogues as was his custom. But he still chose to reach out to the Jews first with his message. He began by asserting his innocence. He had done nothing against the Jews or their customs. The Romans had put him on trial and found him innocent and not deserving the death penalty. But because the Jews of Jerusalem had refused to treat him fairly, he felt compelled to appeal to Caesar. His appeal to Caesar was for his own acquittal, not to accuse his nation. But his primary reason for calling them was to speak with them about the hope of Israel, the fulfillment of all the Old Testament promises made to Israel. He wanted to share with them that Jesus is the Messiah who will return as the King of Israel and Lord of the nations. Paul’s hope in the future made his present, unjust circumstance bearable. The Jewish leaders said they had received no official report from Judea about Paul and no one had spoken ill of him. But they wanted to hear his views because people everywhere were speaking negatively about his sect (Christianity).
They set a future date for this discussion, no doubt to allow more people to come and hear Paul’s message. And that is what happened. Paul spoke from morning to evening expounding the Scriptures and trying to convince them from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah. Once again we see that Paul’s message is the truth that can be considered, evaluated, and tested. Some began to be persuaded by what he said but others refused to believe. From this point, they began to disagree amongst themselves. Paul left them with a prophetic insight from Isaiah. The Jews’ refusal to believe was because of calloused hearts, deafened ears, and spiritually blinded eyes. Because of their willful blindness and deafness, they lost the ability to respond to God’s revelation. Note that Paul indicated that Isaiah’s words were inspired by the Holy Spirit. As a climax to the book, for the final time, Paul states that because of the Jews’ disobedience and refusal to believe, the gospel has been sent to the Gentiles who will listen. Throughout Paul’s missionary journeys from Jerusalem to Rome, the Jews rejected the gospel and the message went out to non-Jews. This statement seems to represent God’s intention to focus largely on the Gentiles during the church age.
Paul remained under house arrest in Rome in a rented house. It was during this time that Paul wrote the “Prison Epistles” (Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians). During this period the gospel was freely taught without restraint. God’s message of the kingdom had moved from Jerusalem to Rome and from Jew to Gentile.
The book of Acts shows God’s faithfulness first with a focus on Peter and then Paul. It also shows their respective faithfulness to God. Will you follow Paul’s example and boldly follow Christ and serve Him in the church and ministry He has placed you? Will you be a witness for Him and tell those around you the good news of Jesus Christ?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Warning the Rich: James 5