All I can say is "Where is Chapter 29?" Luke leaves us hanging like so many movies I've seen. What about Paul before Caesar? What happens next? So many questions :)
I'll take a look at those a little later. First off, the section where Paul and the others have been shipwrecked on Malta is quite exciting! The snake biting Paul and them him not getting affected reminds me of Mark 16:18 ( they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover) because not only is he not affected by the poisonous snake but then he also lays hands on the sick and they recovered. What I find interesting is thinking about what the Roman soldiers and other prisoners were thinking about Paul. Clearly the Maltans were amazed and brought all of their sick to be healed - and they all were healed. Obviously the centurion respected Paul because he was trying to save his life (Acts 27:43), but I wonder if they ever put their faith in Jesus. In Philippians 4:22 Paul talks of the believers of Caesar's household who especially greet the believers in Philippi. It is very likely that while Paul was in Rome for the 2 years and then when he testified before Caesar, these were the times that those in Caesar's household put their trust in Jesus.
As Paul arrives in Italy, believers came from over 50 miles away to meet him and this encouraged Paul. This reminds me that even "great" leaders in Christ, like Paul, are just people. They hurt and need encouragement just like you and I. So if you are needing encouragement, don't feel like you are somehow weaker or less then others. We all need help and encouragement. Paul was discouraged at times and even Jesus himself was grieved and wept and was sorrowful to the point of death (Matt 26:38). That is why we are told to encourage one another (1 Thess 5:11, Heb 10:24).
Lord Jesus, let us be encouraged by the amazing things that you did through Paul and many others in the Scripture. As we read, let us be reminded that you are the God who can do anything: who can move mountains, who can bring the dead back to life, who loves us and who provides for our needs. And let us in turn encourage one another and remind ourselves and others the amazing things that you have done for us.
Now about what happens to Paul: Early Christian writers such as Eusebius (AD 263-339) and John Chrysostom (AD 347-407) write that Paul was on trial two times in Rome - the first time he was released and then went to Spain and other places to preach and then the second time he was executed (by Nero in AD 68). While we don't have any direct Biblical evidence for this, it does seem to agree with what Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:16-17 "In my first defense" - i.e. potentially the first time he was on trial in Rome - possibly he is writing that letter from Rome while in prison a second time, knowing that the "second defense" was coming soon. "I was delivered from the lion's mouth" - this likely would be a reference to the type of punishments that Nero was giving to Christians at the time (or could be referencing Nero himself).
Some have said that the book of Acts ends abruptly because it is always ongoing through the lives of believers in Jesus even up to today. Luke left us hanging because the Holy Spirit was guiding him and the Holy Spirit wasn't done yet. Even after Paul and Peter and the other apostles died and went to be with Christ Jesus in heaven, the Holy Spirit was still at work in the lives of those who surrendered their lives to Jesus. So in a sense, you and I who believe in Jesus Christ, are still living and the Holy Spirit is still writing his story in and through our lives and the book of Acts is still going. Jesus IS ALIVE!!
Lord Jesus, let our lives be a reflection of you and work by your Holy Spirit in us to do your will. May we follow you with all of our hearts and may we bring glory and honor to you! I love you, Lord Jesus, and I will follow you and serve you!
Amen!
I'll take a look at those a little later. First off, the section where Paul and the others have been shipwrecked on Malta is quite exciting! The snake biting Paul and them him not getting affected reminds me of Mark 16:18 ( they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover) because not only is he not affected by the poisonous snake but then he also lays hands on the sick and they recovered. What I find interesting is thinking about what the Roman soldiers and other prisoners were thinking about Paul. Clearly the Maltans were amazed and brought all of their sick to be healed - and they all were healed. Obviously the centurion respected Paul because he was trying to save his life (Acts 27:43), but I wonder if they ever put their faith in Jesus. In Philippians 4:22 Paul talks of the believers of Caesar's household who especially greet the believers in Philippi. It is very likely that while Paul was in Rome for the 2 years and then when he testified before Caesar, these were the times that those in Caesar's household put their trust in Jesus.
As Paul arrives in Italy, believers came from over 50 miles away to meet him and this encouraged Paul. This reminds me that even "great" leaders in Christ, like Paul, are just people. They hurt and need encouragement just like you and I. So if you are needing encouragement, don't feel like you are somehow weaker or less then others. We all need help and encouragement. Paul was discouraged at times and even Jesus himself was grieved and wept and was sorrowful to the point of death (Matt 26:38). That is why we are told to encourage one another (1 Thess 5:11, Heb 10:24).
Lord Jesus, let us be encouraged by the amazing things that you did through Paul and many others in the Scripture. As we read, let us be reminded that you are the God who can do anything: who can move mountains, who can bring the dead back to life, who loves us and who provides for our needs. And let us in turn encourage one another and remind ourselves and others the amazing things that you have done for us.
Now about what happens to Paul: Early Christian writers such as Eusebius (AD 263-339) and John Chrysostom (AD 347-407) write that Paul was on trial two times in Rome - the first time he was released and then went to Spain and other places to preach and then the second time he was executed (by Nero in AD 68). While we don't have any direct Biblical evidence for this, it does seem to agree with what Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:16-17 "In my first defense" - i.e. potentially the first time he was on trial in Rome - possibly he is writing that letter from Rome while in prison a second time, knowing that the "second defense" was coming soon. "I was delivered from the lion's mouth" - this likely would be a reference to the type of punishments that Nero was giving to Christians at the time (or could be referencing Nero himself).
Some have said that the book of Acts ends abruptly because it is always ongoing through the lives of believers in Jesus even up to today. Luke left us hanging because the Holy Spirit was guiding him and the Holy Spirit wasn't done yet. Even after Paul and Peter and the other apostles died and went to be with Christ Jesus in heaven, the Holy Spirit was still at work in the lives of those who surrendered their lives to Jesus. So in a sense, you and I who believe in Jesus Christ, are still living and the Holy Spirit is still writing his story in and through our lives and the book of Acts is still going. Jesus IS ALIVE!!
Lord Jesus, let our lives be a reflection of you and work by your Holy Spirit in us to do your will. May we follow you with all of our hearts and may we bring glory and honor to you! I love you, Lord Jesus, and I will follow you and serve you!
Amen!
The description in v26-27 was exactly met to the picture of Jews and it looks sad.
ReplyDeleteIn v28, I thank the salvation has been sent to Gentiles and we can listen!