SUMMARY
After enduring a long journey toward Rome to appeal his case to Caesar, PaulA Christian missionary who once persecuted the church More and other travelers spend time shipwrecked on Malta, where he heals the sick. He arrives in Italy and does not cease to speak the good news that God has acted through JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity More Christ.
ANALYSIS
Paul’s voyage to Rome, a trip made at his own request, is a terrible journey that includes shipwreck, snake bites, and dangers of all kinds. When Paul arrives in Italy he makes landfall in Puteoli, where he discovers a group of believers. This is noteworthy for two reasons. First, the faith has spread rapidly as far as Italy, a sign of its vitality. Second, Acts does not tell just how or through whom the faith gets to Italy before Paul arrives. This reminds us that Acts is not a complete history of the early church and does not pretend to be.
This passage is also intensely realistic in its description of Paul’s effectiveness. In vv. 23-24 we are told that Paul spends all his time teaching, explaining, testifying, and trying to persuade through the study of Scripture the connection between Jesus and the kingdom of GodThe kingdom (reign) of God is a central theme of Jesus' teaching and parables. According to Jesus this reign of God is a present reality and at the same time is yet to come. When Christians pray the Lord's Prayer, they ask that God's kingdom... More. The realism lies in v. 24, which says, “Some were convinced by what he had said, while others refused to believe.” They even “disagreed with each other” (v. 25). In spite of the gifts of the Spirit and Paul’s unremitting and bold work, not all are persuaded that God’s kingdom is at hand or that Jesus has anything to do with it. As human beings, our power to convince others is limited.
The passage again calls upon the HolyHoly is a term that originally meant set apart for the worship or service of God. While the term may refer to people, objects, time, or places, holiness in Judaism and Christianity primarily denotes the realm of the divine More Spirit as the prophetic force behind Scripture, including the prophets, thus connecting the word of God firmly with the work of Jesus who had become the conduit of that Spirit after his ascension. At last, this passage brings us to the end of the story and is a kind of gospel proclamation in its own right. Paul’s ongoing proclamation concerning the kingdom of God and Jesus as MessiahThe Messiah was the one who, it was believed, would come to free the people of Israel from bondage and exile. In Jewish thought the Messiah is the anticipated one who will come, as prophesied by Isaiah. In Christian thought Jesus of Nazareth is identified... More and Lord comes in spite of all that Paul endures. The proclamation happens at his own expense. It happens as he is held under guard. It happens with all boldness, that is, in freedom and confidence. And it happens “without hindrance” (v. 31). God’s determination to bring news of God’s kingdom and hope for a “universal restoration” (Acts 3:21) will not be denied.
