Today you should read: Acts 28:1-31
The last chapter of the book of Acts closes a long journey for Paul and Luke and ends rather abruptly as Paul stayed in prison for two years after they reached Rome. While he was imprisoned, he wrote letters that now make-up one-third of the New Testament.
There are a lot of things we could talk about in this chapter, but the verse that stood out to me most may be one that others gloss over. It is verse 12, the following:
“Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.”
Now, this is just Luke being his detailed self, but in the ESV Study Bible, it also says that it was in these three days that Paul started a church in Syracuse, Sicily. Wait a second, let’s read that again. He started a church, bringing Christianity to Sicily, in three days? That’s one weekend. Also, at this time he was a prisoner, though one that seemed to have a lot of freedom.
This truly encompasses the life of Paul. No matter the circumstance, he was continually preaching and pointing people towards Jesus Christ. He had one of the most dramatic conversions in recorded history, and he had a God-given burden for those who were lost. He made no excuses, even when he knew he would be in a location for a short time.
It’s all summed up well in the last two verses of the book of Acts:
“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
Paul’s example should inspire us to dedicate ourselves to sharing the good news of the Gospel with anyone who will listen.
So my only question is this: what are you doing this weekend?
By: Todd Thomas — Worship & College Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 