“Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.] And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.”
As always, politics and patriotism got in the way of the crowds hearing and accepting the Gospel. As important as it was that the good news of Yahweh was for Gentiles too, that was the part of the message that usually turned everyone off.
But some people listened. We know from the book of Romans that there were already Christians in Rome. Paul was trying to come visit them for years. And now, thanks to Caesar (and Jesus for making all things work for His good) Paul is in Rome.
This is it! This is the big finish to the book of Acts! It seems kind of anti-climactic doesn’t it? It’s almost like this is a monologue or an after-the-credits scene.
Remember Theophilus? He’s the Greek guy that this entire book is written for. If you were a Greek person with a Greek worldview and wanted to read a detailed account of what happened after Jesus ascended to His throne in Heaven, then this is enough. Paul showed that Jews and Gentiles could both follow Jesus. Against all kinds of paganism, superstition, institutional tradition, and even the Dike and the twin gods, the followers of Jesus win.
The fact that Paul arrived in Rome alive showed that all fate and other powers in the universe didn’t have power over Jesus.
And now Paul is living in Rome and continues to preach the Gospel. This is something Theophilus or any of the rest of us can relate to.
Welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
This isn’t just the end of the book of Acts, it’s a benediction and a mandate. Just like Matthew ends with the Great Commission, we are invited in. The next verses are yours to fill in.
Luke ended his Gospel with an invitation into the book of Acts.
While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.
That is what the disciples were to do until the next stage of God’s plan.
Acts ends in the same way. Until the next stage of God’s plan, we have our example and our orders:
Welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
Let’s do it! Let’s join in with the apostles and continue this work until the next (and final) stage of God’s plan!
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