Bound for Rome: Acts 21-28

Summary

The book of Acts, written by Luke, follows the journey of Jesus' followers spreading the gospel after His resurrection. Saul, a fierce enemy of Christians, becomes Paul after encountering the risen Jesus. His mission is to unite diverse communities under Jesus' rule, regardless of differences. As Paul faces trials, imprisonment, and danger, his dedication to spreading the message leads him to Jerusalem and ultimately to Rome. Luke highlights the contrast between Jesus' upside-down kingdom and the Roman Empire, leaving the story open-ended to inspire readers to join in the ongoing spread of God's kingdom.

Takeaways

• 😀 Acts is a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, focusing on the spread of Jesus' message starting in Jerusalem and extending to the ends of the earth.
• 😀 Jesus' followers initially face opposition, especially from temple leaders who are scandalized by the claim that Jesus fulfilled the story of Israel.
• 😀 Saul, a fierce opponent of Jesus' movement, encounters the risen Jesus and is transformed into Paul, a devoted apostle spreading the message across the Roman Empire.
• 😀 Paul's vision is for all communities—Jew and non-Jew, male and female, slave and free—to be united as one under Jesus' rule.
• 😀 Paul raises funds for the Jerusalem church facing a food shortage, demonstrating his commitment to unity and compassion among diverse churches.
• 😀 Despite the risks, Paul insists on taking the gift himself to Jerusalem, a place of both his past sins and the site of Jesus' death.
• 😀 Paul willingly faces danger in Jerusalem to serve the very people he once persecuted, seeing it as an honor to suffer for Jesus.
• 😀 In Jerusalem, Paul is arrested and falsely accused of starting a revolt, leading to a series of trials, but the charges can't be proven.
• 😀 Paul appeals to Caesar, demanding his case be tried in Rome, which eventually leads to his transfer to the imperial capital.
• 😀 Luke portrays Paul's trials and imprisonments as resembling those of Jesus, making the point that following Jesus often involves sacrifice and suffering.
• 😀 Despite being shipwrecked on his journey to Rome, Paul remains calm and faithful, echoing Jesus' actions before his own trial, and continues spreading the message of Jesus even under house arrest in Rome.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the book of Acts?

The book of Acts, written by Luke, serves as a continuation of the Gospel of Luke, detailing the spread of the message of Jesus' kingdom starting from Jerusalem and reaching to the ends of the earth.

How did the Jewish leaders react to the message of Jesus in Jerusalem?

The Jewish leaders were opposed to the message of Jesus, particularly the claim that Jesus' life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the whole story of Israel. This opposition led to efforts to stop the movement.

Who was Saul, and what role did he play before his conversion?

Saul of Tarsus was a man who worked tirelessly to stop the early Christian movement. He was an enemy of Jesus and persecuted his followers before encountering the risen Jesus, which led to his dramatic conversion.

How did Saul’s transformation affect the early church?

Saul's transformation into Paul, a passionate advocate for the message of Jesus, significantly impacted the early church. He traveled across the Roman Empire, establishing Christian communities and promoting unity among believers, regardless of their differences.

What was Paul's greatest desire for the diverse communities he helped establish?

Paul's greatest desire was for the diverse Christian communities to see themselves as one unified people under Jesus, regardless of their differences, such as being Jew or non-Jew, male or female, slave or free.

Why did Paul decide to bring a relief gift to Jerusalem, despite the dangers?

Paul felt it was important to bring the relief gift to Jerusalem because it was both personal and symbolic. Jerusalem was where he once persecuted Jesus' followers, and now he had the opportunity to serve them. Additionally, it was the place where Jesus was executed, so Paul saw it as an honor to suffer there alongside his King.

What happened when Paul arrived in Jerusalem?

Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul was recognized by his enemies, who formed a mob and tried to kill him. Roman soldiers intervened and saved his life by taking him into custody.

Why was Paul transferred from one court to another during his trial?

Paul was transferred between courts because the Roman authorities could not determine a clear crime he had committed. His claim that a crucified Jewish man was the risen king of the world stirred controversy, but they could not prove him guilty of any wrongdoing.

How does Luke compare Paul's trials and imprisonment to Jesus' experiences?

Luke draws parallels between Paul's trials and imprisonment and those of Jesus, highlighting that the experiences of Jesus' followers will often resemble his own story. This comparison illustrates the cost of following Jesus, which includes suffering but also beauty in embracing the way of Jesus.

What happened during Paul's journey to Rome?

On his way to Rome, Paul’s ship encountered a violent storm. Despite the chaos, Paul remained calm and provided a meal for everyone aboard, mirroring Jesus' actions before his own trial. The ship eventually broke apart, but everyone made it to shore safely.

What significance does Paul's time in Rome have for the spread of Christianity?

While under house arrest in Rome, Paul continued to share the message of Jesus with both Jews and non-Jews. His actions in the heart of the Roman Empire, which was ruled by Caesar, symbolized the growth of Jesus' alternative, upside-down kingdom in contrast to the world's most powerful empire.

Why does Luke end the story of Acts on an open note?

Luke ends the story of Acts on an open note to convey that the message of Jesus’ kingdom is ongoing. The readers are encouraged to participate in spreading the message, with the story of Jesus' kingdom still unfolding to this day.