Acts | Chapter 28 : vimarsana.com
Acts | Chapter 28
Read Acts Chapter 28
For a printable version of this Bible Study, click HERE.
What stands out to you as you read this chapter?
Are there any words or phrases that you feel are key ideas in this chapter?
What other features do you wish you knew more about (culture, religion, customs, etc.) in order to help you understand this chapter?
How do you think this chapter fits in the larger story of Acts and the Bible as a whole?
ACT OUT: How does the Holy Spirit want to use this text in your life, for others or for yourself?
If the details of Acts 27 put Luke’s readers in mind of the exodus, the detail of the snake (Acts 28:5-6) should bring us all the way back to Genesis 3:15, the curse on the deceiving serpent and the promise of a wounded snake-crusher, which was fulfilled through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. In Acts 27, God defeated the darkness and chaos of the sea. Now, the Serpent, though he bites Paul cannot harm him, and his ultimate destiny is the fire (Acts 28:5; see Revelation 20:2, 10). The real, historical events of Acts bring the Bible s redemption story to a focal point. The Good News, now in Rome through Paul (Acts 28:17-30), has reached the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8; see Genesis 12:3). Sadly, Paul’s own people again reject this good news, proving with the Old Testament prophets that religion can’t heal our spiritual blindness (Acts 28:25-27; see Isaiah 6:9-10), only faith in Jesus can.
Acts 28:28 should stop us in our tracks. That verse points to the nations, to all non-Jews who have embraced the faith of the Jesus the Messiah as their own. We have been healed of spiritual blindness through the gospel of Jesus! Miraculously, the snake is crushed under our feet as we stand in union with Jesus. We have a new King and are citizens of his Messianic Kingdom by faith. The Book of Acts ends with that message going forth without hindrance. That message alone is still changing the world. Acts is a ringing endorsement of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have you believed? Is Jesus your Lord and King? If so, you are part of the continuation of Acts. Jesus, now risen and ascended, is building his church and extending his kingdom through the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. All who follow Jesus by faith are part of that ongoing story.
Prayer: Father, in the church you are calling all nations to bow to Jesus, the risen and reigning King. By the Spirit poured-out, we are enabled to witness to Jesus’ rule as Lord, and by his Lordship, we are being made holy, spotless, and ready for the day when we will see him face to face. Father, give us boldness, confidence, and wisdom to continue the acts of your Spirit-empowered church, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
For a printable version of this Bible Study, click HERE.
What stands out to you as you read this chapter?
Are there any words or phrases that you feel are key ideas in this chapter?
What other features do you wish you knew more about (culture, religion, customs, etc.) in order to help you understand this chapter?
How do you think this chapter fits in the larger story of Acts and the Bible as a whole?
ACT OUT: How does the Holy Spirit want to use this text in your life, for others or for yourself?
If the details of Acts 27 put Luke’s readers in mind of the exodus, the detail of the snake (Acts 28:5-6) should bring us all the way back to Genesis 3:15, the curse on the deceiving serpent and the promise of a wounded snake-crusher, which was fulfilled through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. In Acts 27, God defeated the darkness and chaos of the sea. Now, the Serpent, though he bites Paul cannot harm him, and his ultimate destiny is the fire (Acts 28:5; see Revelation 20:2, 10). The real, historical events of Acts bring the Bible s redemption story to a focal point. The Good News, now in Rome through Paul (Acts 28:17-30), has reached the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8; see Genesis 12:3). Sadly, Paul’s own people again reject this good news, proving with the Old Testament prophets that religion can’t heal our spiritual blindness (Acts 28:25-27; see Isaiah 6:9-10), only faith in Jesus can.
Acts 28:28 should stop us in our tracks. That verse points to the nations, to all non-Jews who have embraced the faith of the Jesus the Messiah as their own. We have been healed of spiritual blindness through the gospel of Jesus! Miraculously, the snake is crushed under our feet as we stand in union with Jesus. We have a new King and are citizens of his Messianic Kingdom by faith. The Book of Acts ends with that message going forth without hindrance. That message alone is still changing the world. Acts is a ringing endorsement of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have you believed? Is Jesus your Lord and King? If so, you are part of the continuation of Acts. Jesus, now risen and ascended, is building his church and extending his kingdom through the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. All who follow Jesus by faith are part of that ongoing story.
Prayer: Father, in the church you are calling all nations to bow to Jesus, the risen and reigning King. By the Spirit poured-out, we are enabled to witness to Jesus’ rule as Lord, and by his Lordship, we are being made holy, spotless, and ready for the day when we will see him face to face. Father, give us boldness, confidence, and wisdom to continue the acts of your Spirit-empowered church, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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