seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Acts 28:17 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] [b]
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!
Acts 28:29 Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.
This is from the commentary.Therefore let it be known to you: If some of them rejected the salvation of God, it did not make that salvation of no effect. It just meant that God would find those who would hear it — in this case, the Gentiles.
i. Paul plead for men to receive Jesus, but not as a beggar might plead. Paul ached not for himself, but for those who rejected — and solemnly warned those who rejected of the consequences.
ii. The preacher of the gospel really preaches two messages. To those who respond to the gospel with faith, he is a messenger of life. But to those who reject Jesus, the preacher adds to their condemnation. To the one we are the aroma of death to death, and to the other the aroma of life to life. (2 Corinthians 2:16)
This is the end of the book of Acts. Paul says "If you won't listen.... then I'll find someone who will".A second thread has popped up about the "three nights and three days". Get out of the weeds. Those who have accepted Jesus as the Messiah will get to ask Him about it. If you don't believe... then it really doesn't matter. Get out of the weeds.
I have a neighbor, a friend, who just hates the Bible. I tried to put it another way... but that's the fact. Whenever anyone says anything biblical, she gets upset. She is the sweetest little old woman.... but she has a real problem with biblical issues. She's not a Christian or a Jew. She can't be classified as a Pharisee or a Sadducee. It's not a Catholic v. Protestant thing. She says she's not an atheist. She just doesn't believe in anything biblical. She has been hurt by thumpers.
She reminds me of the people in this chapter. Apparently, the Jews who had a problem with Paul, didn't send anyone to testify against him. They didn't think they could make their case. I don't know why.... seems that they were adamant that Paul deserved a death penalty. After all, he was teaching about the Resurrection. I think of them... as with my friend.... he might as well have been teaching that Zombies were coming.
In my opinion.... humans have become hardhearted. That hard heart has blinded them and they have lost the ability to listen. They know it all. They know the meaning of every obtuse issue in the Bible, but they have lost the meaning. They can't open their hearts. They would rather debate than accept. They would rather "give them what for" than "give them a hug".
Get out of the weeds. The meaning of life is not written on one blade of grass. Jesus is the Messiah. If you don't believe it... Well, that's on you now. You've been told. Paul told you; Luke told you; and I have posted what they said. If you don't accept Salvation.... Well, someone else will.
"If you won't listen.... then someone else will."
If you won't listen...
