And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, “Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, saying,
‘Go unto this people, and say, ‘Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.’
“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”
Acts 28:23-28
Acts 28
From Moses and the Prophets
And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying,
“All hail.”
And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. Then said Jesus unto them,
“Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me.”
Matthew 28:9-10
And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
Acts 28:23-24
Sharing What We Know
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” Proverbs 29:11
“For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” Acts 28:20
May we as Christians learn when to speak what we know, and the right time to speak it; and to speak with it seasoned with salt and filled with love, mercy and grace.
What the Christ must know most is that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and that He rose again. We must also be faithful in proclaiming the whole counsel of God – that is the whole of the word of God; believing and trusting that what God has said will come to pass just as He said it. His word is inerrant and infallible.
The Hearing and The Understanding
“And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, ‘Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, saying, ‘Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: for the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.’
‘Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it.'” Acts 28:24-28 (KJB)
Standing before the Jewish leaders in Rome Paul tells them of Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection. Some heard and believed. Many of them turned away from the truth and life to remain in lies and death.
The apostle reminds them of the words of Isaiah in chapter six of that prophecy, and Isaiah’s call. The prophet was told that he would tell the people of the time what God said, but they would not hear and believe. However, he was to be faithful in preaching what God said, no matter what.
It is evident to me that there is basically no difference in the people of the eighth century B.C. and the people of this twenty first century. There are people in every era of time who do not like the truth. Many want to continue doing things their way, in their time; or maybe not. They have the mentality, “Do not mix God/religion with life. It causes problems”.
God, His word, and His people have always been against sin. You have the choice of believing God and His word or of going, continuing down your slippery slope to death and eternal judgment
I pray you will hear and understand. I pray your eyes will be opened to see the truth of the true identity of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, God the Son; who died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and He rose again. He is alive.
Believe Him.
The Fire and Hammer 