Interpreting the Acts of the Apostles

In Acts 28:7-31 Paul arrives in Rome preaching the kingdom of God. We have been told Paul must stand before Caesar and the gospel must reach the remotest parts of the earth. How does the ending of Acts provide resolution to Luke’s narrative while leaving these crucial events unresolved?

The post Acts 28:7-31 The Kingdom of God first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Acts 27:1-28:6 God’s sovereignty over the events of Paul’s life reaches a climax as God leads him into a violent storm and brings him safely through, destined to preach the gospel in Rome.

The post Acts 27:1-28:6 God’s Sovereignty Over the Journey first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Acts 25:1-26:32 Paul stands before King Agrippa. Once again he is made the focus of judgment. But Paul does not offer up his own behavior for evaluation or defense. Paul offers to the gathered dignitaries for their consideration his message to the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The post Acts 25:1-26:32 The Gospel’s Message for the World first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Acts 23:12-24:27 Paul’s gospel is on trial being judged according to its attitude to law and morality with a contrast between Paul’s own behavior and the behavior of his opponents.

The post Acts 23:12-24:27 The Gospel’s Attitude to Morality and Law first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Acts 21:17-23:11 Paul’s gospel is on trial being judged according to its respect for conscience in relation to the non-essentials of ritual practice and the essentials of faith in Jesus and the resurrection.

The post Acts 21:17-23:11 The Gospel‘s Respect for Conscience first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Acts 20:1-21:16, Luke ends the first movement of Part VI with a three-part defense of Paul’s gospel ministry: a miracle of resurrection, a speech to partners in the gospel, and prophecies identifying Paul’s coming trials as part of God’s sovereign plan.

The post Acts 20:1-21:16 Defense by Miracle, Message and Prophecy first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Acts 19:21-41, Luke begins Part VI the final major section of the letter in which he provides a defense of the gospel by defending the gospel’s messenger Paul. Each of the five movements in this part contains a danger avoided, beginning here with a riot.

The post Acts 19:21-41 The Defense of Paul and the Riot in Ephesus first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Acts 19:1-20, Luke completes Acts Part V with a focus on how the Kingdom of God, being established in Ephesus, clashed with the spiritual forces of darkness in that city.

The post Acts 19:1-20 The Holy Spirit and the Name of Jesus first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Acts 18:1-28, Luke continues to define and defend the gospel as Paul’s preaching encounters Gentile culture with an emphasis in Corinth on the particularly new covenant expression of the local community of God’s people.

The post Acts 18:1-28 Jesus Christ and the New People of God first appeared on Observe the Word.

In Acts 17:1-34, Luke uses the gospel’s encounter with Gentile philosophy, politics and religion to highlight the Christian beliefs that God is the one true creator God and Jesus Christ is Lord and judge of all peoples.

The post Acts 17:1-34 Gentile Philosophy, Politics and Religion first appeared on Observe the Word.