How does Acts 28:28 emphasize the importance of sharing the Gospel with Gentiles? Setting the Scene in Acts 28 - Paul is under house arrest in Rome, yet still freely preaching (Acts 28:30–31). - Jewish leaders visit him first; some believe, many reject (Acts 28:23–24). - Quoting Isaiah, Paul explains their hardness of heart (Acts 28:25–27). - Verse 28 becomes Paul’s Spirit-inspired conclusion to this rejection. The Key Declaration in Verse 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (Acts 28:28) What the statement underscores: - “This salvation of God” — there is only one way of salvation, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. - “Has been sent” — past-tense certainty; God Himself initiated the outreach. - “To the Gentiles” — explicit expansion beyond ethnic Israel. - “They will listen!” — confidence in a prepared harvest among the nations. Why the Word Went to the Gentiles 1. Fulfillment of covenant promise • Genesis 12:3 — “all the families of the earth will be blessed.” 2. Fulfillment of prophetic vision • Isaiah 49:6 — “I will make You a light for the nations.” 3. Obedience to Christ’s Great Commission • Matthew 28:19 — “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” 4. Confirmation of apostolic pattern • Acts 13:46 — “Since you reject it… we now turn to the Gentiles.” 5. Guarantee of spiritual receptivity • John 10:16 — “other sheep… they will listen to My voice.” Scriptural Threads Confirming This Mandate - Acts 1:8 — Power from the Spirit propels witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” - Romans 1:16 — The Gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” - Ephesians 3:6 — Gentiles are “fellow heirs… in Christ Jesus through the Gospel.” Practical Takeaways for Today - Expect openness among those outside traditional religious circles; God says “they will listen!” - Refusal by some must never stall the mission; when one door shuts, another opens wider. - Share the message plainly: salvation is God’s gift, not a cultural badge. - Trust Scripture’s authority—the same Word that moved Paul still moves hearts globally. |
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