In Acts 21–22, Dr. Michael McKay showed us how the apostle Paul boldly proclaimed the Gospel, drawing both praise and persecution. His message, centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasized that Jesus is the Messiah for everyone — both Jews and Gentiles. However, as we read through these chapters, we also see a repetition of key events: Luke recounts Peter’s vision in Acts 10 and Paul’s conversion in Acts 9. Why does Luke choose to repeat these events? The repetition directs our attention to the central message of the book: the Gospel of Jesus Christ breaking through all barriers.

Luke's inclusion of these repeated accounts is not accidental. As he recounts Peter’s vision and Paul's conversion, we are reminded that the Kingdom of God is now open to all, regardless of nationality or background. Peter’s vision revealed that God does not show partiality, and Paul’s conversion marks the turning point where the message of Jesus is extended beyond the Jews to the Gentiles. Luke wants us to see the significance of the Gospel for everyone. Jesus’ death and resurrection are not just for a select few but for the whole world.

Throughout these chapters, the contrast between Paul’s faithfulness and Israel’s rebellion stands out. In Acts 22, Paul recounts his conversion story, emphasizing how he was transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a bold preacher of the Gospel. His faithfulness to Jesus is clear, even in the face of rejection and persecution. McKay says that “Paul's faithfulness to Jesus allowed him to experience the faithfulness of Jesus.” The deeper message is that God’s plan has always been for His people to embrace the truth of Jesus Christ. The faithfulness Paul experiences is not just his own; it is rooted in the faithfulness of Jesus, who remained true to His mission even to the point of death on the cross. In this, we see that the God of Israel is not just the God of Israel, but the God of the whole world.

This brings us to a crucial application for today: We are called to be faithful to Jesus. Just as Paul remained faithful to the call God had placed on his life, we too are called to obey and follow Jesus today, not tomorrow. Our faithfulness, like Paul’s, is not based on our own strength but on the faithful love of Jesus, who empowers us to endure and proclaim the truth.

The temple in Jerusalem, which once symbolized the presence of God, has been replaced by Jesus’ people, the Church. The dwelling place of God is no longer limited to a physical location but is present in the lives of believers, who are called to live as faithful witnesses to the truth of the Gospel. As we look at Acts 21–22, McKay encouraged us to remember that we too are part of this great story of God's faithfulness to His people and the world.