A Journey Through the Book of Acts:

I’m a podcast junkie and have been one since Apple first dropped the app and started curating content. Whenever I’m on the go; walking, driving, or working with my hands, I always have a podcast playing.

This was my usual routine until the other day when my iPhone was dead. I grabbed my wife’s phone, but since she doesn’t listen to podcasts, nothing was downloaded. However, she did have an audio New Testament in her Books app. So, I decided to listen to the Book of Acts instead of a podcast.

I totally underestimated how great an audio version of Acts would be! In the last chapter (28) of Acts, we find a unique account where Paul is trying to convince a group of Jewish leaders that the Gospel is truth.

Verse 23 states, “From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.” (Acts 28:23b)

I could see Paul in my mind’s eye.

As I listened, I could picture Paul boldly debating with the Jewish leaders that the Gospel is neither anti-law nor anti-prophetic. I could see him explain that Christ fulfilled all of the legal and prophetic works given to the Jews.

By verse 25, the Jews are split. Some believe Paul, and others deny what he is saying to be the truth. It was time for Paul to make his final argument.

Paul ends his address.

What would Paul say to end his debate with these Jewish leaders? He uses prophetic words that the Jews would be familiar with.

The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.

Acts 28:25b-28 (ESV)

Following the book of Acts, we read the Epistles and see that Paul’s final statements hold true.

• Not only did Paul speak with boldness, addressing the Jewish leaders’ hard hearts.
• Not only does Paul use Old Testament Scripture that the leaders must accept.

Soon after, his words end up being somewhat prophetic as the church explodes. A truly amazing series of events!