Have you ever met someone who knew about you before you met them? How does that feel?
Focus 8 | Witnessing Beyond
It's no wonder that Jesus' promise that the disciples would be witnesses went outward the way it did. The link between faithful witness and growing reach is reasonable! (So, also, though, is our hesitance to trust that it will happen.)
Let's talk about the last thing we hear of Paul. We're fast-forwarding to the end of the book here, getting a sneak peek at how things play out.
Acts 28:17–31
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “ ‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29] (Some manuscripts here say: "After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves." This is not well attested and in most ancient manuscripts and that's why it is in brackets here.)
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
__
Paul, as a witness, never stops. Why?
Acts 28:17–31
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “ ‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29] (Some manuscripts here say: "After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves." This is not well attested and in most ancient manuscripts and that's why it is in brackets here.)
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
__
Paul, as a witness, never stops. Why?
See what this Spotlight—and series— is focused on.
Tap on the words "Focus 8" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Tap on the words "Focus 8" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
During the last major episode of Paul's story in the book of Acts, that word that is translated "witness" (and sometimes "testify") comes up again:
Acts 23:11
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
Let's find some rest and reassurance in what was happening immediately before this vision.
Acts 23:11
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
Let's find some rest and reassurance in what was happening immediately before this vision.
Acts 21-28 tell the story of the end of Paul's ministry, which culminates in the final clash between Paul and the authorities that wish to stop the message of Jesus and those who bear witness to that message. It's an epic set of chapters that include high-stakes moments (Paul being nearly killed multiple times), shipwrecks, bureaucratic hijinx (Paul's Roman citizenship comes in handy more than once), and - in the middle of it - Paul, witnessing.
He tells his own conversion story - twice. (Chapters 22 & 26)
He makes his own defense before multiple authority figures in various places.
He encourages everyone he can.
And he ends up on a sort of "missionary journey" - just not one for which he sets the itinerary.
Use the gallery below to get an overview of Paul's journey.
He tells his own conversion story - twice. (Chapters 22 & 26)
He makes his own defense before multiple authority figures in various places.
He encourages everyone he can.
And he ends up on a sort of "missionary journey" - just not one for which he sets the itinerary.
Use the gallery below to get an overview of Paul's journey.
Read through chapter 25-26 using the questions below to discuss.
Acts 25:1-12
Acts 25:13-22
Acts 25:23-26:23 (Paul's witness to Agrippa is worth thinking about!)
Acts 26:24-32
Acts 25:1-12
- Paul escalates things in this section. How?
Acts 25:13-22
- This is a unique moment - two leaders talking about Paul's situation. What do you notice?
Acts 25:23-26:23 (Paul's witness to Agrippa is worth thinking about!)
- What do you think of Paul's testimony?
- Notice anything new here?
Acts 26:24-32
- Paul is never not witnessing. How is that shown here?
- What does Paul know about Rome that Agrippa doesn't?
Many good answers could fill this blank.
Among them, though, must be Jesus, of course. The hope and transformation Paul had experienced from Jesus drove him.
Among them, also, must be the call. This Jesus who had transformed Paul had also called him to be a faithful witness, and Paul would not ignore that call. That's a good thing.
A reminder, though, as we end, that this isn't all on you. Rev. Walter Wangerin Jr. puts it well in this message he preached at Duke University in 1988.
Among them, though, must be Jesus, of course. The hope and transformation Paul had experienced from Jesus drove him.
Among them, also, must be the call. This Jesus who had transformed Paul had also called him to be a faithful witness, and Paul would not ignore that call. That's a good thing.
A reminder, though, as we end, that this isn't all on you. Rev. Walter Wangerin Jr. puts it well in this message he preached at Duke University in 1988.
Just as you are a witness to others, others are to you. Don't miss it!
Feel free to submit a prayer request by filling out the below form.
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
Pray through your requests—together—as a group.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
You've reached the end of Witnessing by the Book.
Thanks for being a part of this series, for exploring the idea of being a witness through the lens of the book of Acts, and for working alongside whomever it is you do Spotlights with - hopefully you grew together in the process.
By way of light review, a few questions:
Thanks for being a part of this series, for exploring the idea of being a witness through the lens of the book of Acts, and for working alongside whomever it is you do Spotlights with - hopefully you grew together in the process.
By way of light review, a few questions:
- What are you taking away from this series? How has it made you think, change, or be reassured?
- What else do you want to know/talk about/think about when it comes to either witnessing or Acts?
Sing this song as you close out this Spotlight.
Let's wrap things up by taking a look at what's Current at Illume.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
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