Truth

9

Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom

Acts 28:11-31

A story is told about a man who was convinced he was dead. His family and friends were so concerned about him that they sent him to a doctor in hopes of ending the man’s confusion. After a futile discussion with the patient, the doctor decided to pursue a new argument- that dead men don’t bleed. He pulled several medical volumes off of his shelves and gave them to the patient, asking him to read selected articles at home during the following week.

A few days later the man returned to the doctor’s office carrying the borrowed books. “I’ve read every article you mentioned,” said the man, “and I’m completely convinced that dead men don’t bleed.” At that point, seeing his opportunity, the doctor pricked the man’s arm with a needle, and blood appeared immediately.

The man looked down at his bleeding arm with astonishment and

proclaimed: “My God! Dead men do bleed!”

Some people are so convinced of their own opinions that no amount of argument or evidence will persuade them otherwise.

GROUP DISCUSSION. What experiences have you had lately in talking with neighbors or coworkers about Jesus and the gospel?

PERSONAL REFLECTION. To what extent did arguments and evidence have an impact on your becoming a Christian?

42                                                                   Paul

In this session we find that the apostle Paul finally arrives in Rome. Although he is received warmly by the Christian church, he has some difficulty with the Jewish community. Read Acts 28:11-31.

1. What seem to be Paul’s attitude and primary concerns as he nears

and then finally arrives in Rome?

2. Why do you think Paul’s Roman guards seem to disappear into the background in verses 11-15?

3. Why do you suppose Paul was allowed to live in his own rented house rather than in a Roman prison (v. 16)?

4. How does Paul defend his innocence in verses 17-22?

Why do you think he believes this is so important in the current circumstances?

5. Some Christians today claim that sincere faith in God is sufficient for salvation, and therefore people do not need to explicitly believe in Jesus Christ and the gospel to be saved. How do Paul’s actions in verse 23-and throughout the book of Acts-run counter to that notion?

43                                      Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom

6. Some of the Jews believed Paul while others disagreed with him (vv. 24-25). What all does this reveal about the work of spreading the good news of Christ?

7. Paul quotes from Isaiah 6 in verses 26-27, mentioning the eyes, the ears and the heart. How does this prophecy reveal the nature of unbelief?

8. What is the difference between hearing God’s words with our ears versus truly hearing him?

How should this be a warning to us as we study the Scriptures?

9. In verse 28 Paul explains once again the basis of his mission to the Gentiles. Why do you think this argument was important to those in the early church?

44                                                         Paul

10. The focus of Paul’s message in verses 30-31 and verse 23 is on both the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. How are these two emphases interconnected?

How do they provide hope for people throughout the world?

11. The book of Acts concludes with a final statement about Paul’s passionate evangelistic activity. What impact should his example have on us today?

Pray that your life will be a living testimony to the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Now or Later

The stories in the book of Acts began in the first century, but church history is filled with many other stories of what God has done through men and women committed to him-people such as Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Hudson Taylor, Charles Spurgeon and Amy Carmichael. Consider reading the biography of one of these people, who are part of God’s never-ending story.