Acts 28:23-31
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.
It always amazes me that in the same neighborhood there will be a thriving Christian congregation along side a struggling Christian church. To some extent this may be laid at the feet of the pastor – for good or for ill. But in any case – struggling or thriving – it is not the pastor alone who bears the blame or receives the credit. For the people of the church together with the pastor form a congregation, which much like a family grows, struggles and succeeds over time. Sad to say, there are those who resist the gospel message and refuse to believe.
Such was the experience of Paul in Rome. Although some of the Jewish leaders there believed that Jesus was the Christ, and the author of salvation, some did not. Refusing to believe, they proved God’s judgment right as Paul says in quoting from Isaiah 6. In the end, and certainly seeking to use even the jealousy of the Jews over against the Gentiles, Paul announces that the message of God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles who will listen and believe.
And so it has gone: The message of this Jewish man from Galilee has circumvented the world, and nation after nation of non-Jewish people has embraced Jesus of Nazareth as Savior and Lord. The message of the gospel is, sadly, a two-edged sword, for there are those who will not embrace it – Good News as it may be. But it has pleased God to call many to faith by the power and working of the Holy Spirit. The message of the Kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ continues to grow. God uses bold witnesses to convey that message to others.
Thank God for those faithful, bold, and courageous witnesses to the message of the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ!
*The Word of the Lord Grows is the title of a 1972 New Testament commentary on Acts, by Martin Franzmann. It is also a phrase found in Acts 12 and 19.
David Bahn - Reflections 
Leave a comment