The End of the Book of Acts but the beginning of the Church

1) The “holy cannoli, this took a super long time to complete this book, Batman” moment has arrived. We are potentially in the very last teaching of the Book of Acts. But don’t be surprised if something emerges before we officially close it. Also, keep in mind that we need to replace the Book of Acts with another book that we can study in depth. So please be in prayer as we need to choose wisely as a family, as a fellowship, and as a community.

2) We pick it up in Acts chapter 28, and we are at verse 21, where the Jewish people, hearing Paul explain what he’s gone through, have no idea who he is or what’s going on. They are basically clueless, but they do know that Christians have a reputation, and that reputation among the Jewish culture is not great. So they would like to hear for themselves instead of basing it on what somebody else has to say. Actually, there’s quite a bit of wisdom here—just because somebody says it doesn’t make it so; make sure it’s true. Test and prove it yourself.

3) After a presentation from Paul regarding the Messiah coming from the Torah, the first five books, some people believed, and some people didn’t. There is no difference between that and anything else when the gospel is presented—some say yes, and some say no. But Paul makes sure they understand that he is trying to fulfill the words of the prophet in Isaiah chapter 6. Their rejection is simply their decision to say no, and God’s response is, “I’m trying to heal you. Please say yes.”

4) As we close out the Book of Acts, Paul makes sure that the Jewish people know that the salvation they were just offered is also available to the Gentiles. This is not just a Jews-only, and it’s not just a Gentiles-only, process. God is reaching out to everyone. And as the Book of Acts closes, it says that Paul proclaims the Kingdom of God with boldness, teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And that is how the book ends. One of the most unique endings of any book, because the Book of Acts continues through the church today. How cool is that?