January 31, 2022 -- Acts 28:28-31 -- Witness with boldness and without hindrance

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28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
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.
Acts 28:28-31 ESV

Paul had been on trial. He’d been accused by the Jews, falsely accused, of bringing Gentiles (non-Jewish people) into the inner court of the Temple, where no foreigner was allowed to enter. If this were true, the Jewish people could demand the death penalty. It was not true. It was not even being vigorously prosecuted. He’d spent two years in limbo while the governor Felix waited for Paul to bribe him and release him (Acts 24:22). When two years passed a new governor took power. This new governor, Festus, wanted to favour the Jews and he left Paul in prison. Finally Paul appealed to Caesar and was sent to Rome.

This background is helpful as you look at this verse today. Paul was unjustly imprisoned, however, because of his imprisonment, he was able to preach Good News to the leaders of Rome and to Gentiles. Many believed. Paul was unjustly imprisoned, but along the way, various people dealt kindly with him. Paul was unjustly imprisoned, yet he did not complain to His Father about his bad treatment. Paul was unjustly imprisoned and had to pay his own expenses for this and the Lord provided for his needs. Paul knew these circumstances were all being used so that the glory of God would be revealed.

The passage before you today is Paul’s summary statement against the Jews in Rome. Julius, Paul’s centurion guard, allowed Paul to have guests over to the home (where he was under house arrest). So Paul could freely preach to his own people. Many of the Jewish people he was preaching to rejected his teaching. However, this meant Paul was able to preach to the Gentiles. He freely took the opportunity to preach Good News wherever he could.

Lessons for you today. Trust that whatever your circumstances are, God has placed people in your path who need to know about Jesus Christ. Strike up conversations and tell others the Good News. Expect many people will mock you or reject you. Keep praying and trusting that the Living God is accomplishing His purposes through you. Keep studying the Word. When you are posed questions that are hard to answer, read and study the Word so that you can give a defense of all you believe. Know that Your Faithful Father will provide for you--it is why Jesus taught His people to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread". Now, go light your world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Father in heaven, You have blessed Your people with the riches of knowing Jesus Christ, with the honour of being called Your sons and daughters in Jesus, and with the treasure of the Spirit's presence to guard this wealth within them so that the work of salvation which You initiated in Your people will be completed. Thank You for Your goodness! Thank You for Your love! Forgive Your people for the times of hoarding the Gospel and refusing to witness to others. Let this day be a fresh start and by Your Spirit's work may the glory of Jesus and His saving work be proclaimed with boldness and without hindrance. Amen.

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