টীকা বর্তমানে শুধুমাত্র ইংরেজিতে উপলব্ধ। বাংলা অনুবাদ চলছে।
Acts 28 — Preaching the Kingdom of God, and Teaching Those Things Which Concern the Lord Jesus Christ
They land on Melita; the barbarians show no little kindness. A viper fastens on Paul's hand; he shakes it off, feels no harm; they say he is a god. Publius's father is healed; many sick are brought. After three months they sail in a ship of Alexandria, land at Puteoli, are met by brethren from Rome at Appii forum. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage. He calls the chief of the Jews together, reasons about the kingdom from morning till evening. Some believe; some not. I dwelt two whole years in his own hired house... preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
“Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”
— Acts 28:31
- v.1-10 Melita — the viper and the healings
- v.11-16 On to Rome
- v.17-29 Paul reasons with the Jews of Rome
- v.30-31 Two years preaching the kingdom
He thanked God, and took courage. After prison, storm, snake, and uncertainty, the sight of brethren walking forty miles to meet him restored him. The body of Christ is part of the courage God gives.
The Roman believers had only heard of Paul; they came anyway. The chapter's quiet honoring of the Christians who walk forty miles to encourage a tired servant. Sometimes the most pastoral thing is just to show up.
The closing turn of Acts. The Jewish leaders of Rome have heard Paul and divided; the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles. The trajectory of the whole book — from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth — finds its rhetorical resolution.
They will hear it. A confidence in the gospel's reception among Gentiles that the next centuries will vindicate. The book closes pointing forward; the church's story is just beginning.
The last verse of Acts. Paul under house arrest, chained to a soldier in rotation, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. The chains held the man; the gospel was free.
No man forbidding him. Six words to end the book. Whatever the world has done, the gospel is unforbidden. The book's last note is the confident continuation of the work begun in chapter 1 — and continuing through us today.
Verse 15 deserves attention from anyone who tends to think of encouragement as a small ministry. Paul thanked God and took courage because brothers walked out to meet him. The simple act of showing up for the weary saint is part of the gospel's work. Take a long walk this week for someone tired in the faith. You may be the brethren at Appii forum to them.
Acts ends as it began — Christ's servants preaching the kingdom of God and the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, no man forbidding. The book is an open ending on purpose. The Christ who began the work in Acts 1 has not finished. The same Lord who appointed Paul's Rome appoints yours. The gospel He started in a Jerusalem upper room and carried to a Roman house has continued in unbroken procession to this generation. The book's last word is the church's ongoing assignment.
Paul's undramatic response. No prayer, no announcement — he simply shakes the viper off and goes back to gathering wood. The faith that handled Caesar's prison handles a snake on the hand.
The promise of Mark 16:18 plays out without spectacle. Christ's preservation of His servants does not always come with sermon material; sometimes it is a shaken hand and a continued task.