Project 119: Acts 28:11-31
| Project 119 | Amy Hirsch
Have you ever watched a movie or read a book that had a completely unsatisfactory ending? My mother detests stories like that, and can’t stand watching a movie or reading a book that ends without a resolution. At this point in Acts, we have been anticipating Paul’s encounter with Caesar. After three months on the island of Malta, Paul arrived in Rome. He was still in captivity but was allowed to stay on his own, with a guard watching over him, rather than in the prison.
But where does the book of Acts leave us? We don’t finish with a grand finale or eloquent defense before Caesar himself; rather, we read about Paul’s appeal to the Jews (Acts 28:17-28) and their refusal to believe. The book of Acts end us with Paul’s declaration that “this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen” (Acts 28:28), and with the picture of Paul living in Rome, supporting himself, and proclaiming the gospel to all he met “with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31).
If you’re like me, you might feel a little disappointed at this cliffhanger ending! What ends up happening to Paul? Does he ever get to travel further east? I did some reading and church historians really certain about what happened next. It’s possible that Paul did make it further east, and we know that Paul was eventually executed by decapitation by Nero’s orders, likely in the early 60s AD. It’s possible that he was freed and later imprisoned again by the Romans before this happened, but there’s little evidence of the ordering of events.
But, you see, the abrupt ending to Acts reminds us that Luke’s goal wasn’t to write a biography of Paul; rather, Luke was writing about the early church and their witness “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Acts isn’t a biography of any particular apostle; Acts is the story of the gospel going forth.
I’m reminded too that so often we want to make everything about us, including our own stories. While we certainly have leading roles, our stories first and foremost aren’t about us; they are about God. I had a professor from Beeson who often would say, “We all have our own stories, but only one story redeems our story.” Acts is the tale of that story, the very true story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and how that story changes all of our stories. We don’t end with all of our answers to Paul’s life and death front and center: rather, we end with the gospel front and center, being preached and proclaimed by God’s servant. May this be true of our own lives—that Jesus would be at the forefront of our stories!
Acts 28:11-31 (ESV):
11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
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.