What role does hospitality play in sharing the Gospel, as seen in Acts 28:30? The scene in Rome: Paul’s rented living room – Acts 28:30 says, “Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to see him.” – Though chained, he keeps the front door open; though restricted, his table is free. – His hospitality becomes the platform from which the gospel sounds forth to Jews, Gentiles, soldiers, and seekers alike. An open door for a bound apostle • Hospitality creates space where defenses drop. People step into a home before they step into faith. • Luke stresses that Paul “welcomed all.” No vetting, no partiality—just an invitation to come and hear. • In this living-room church, Paul “proclaimed the kingdom of God” (v. 31). The message rides on the back of the meal, the conversation, the shared loaf of bread. • Even under arrest, Paul fulfills his own counsel: “Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13). Hospitality threaded through the Bible – Abraham hosts three strangers; the promise of a son follows (Genesis 18). – Rahab shelters spies; salvation reaches her household (Joshua 2). – Jesus dines with Zacchaeus, declaring, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:5, 9). – The early church “broke bread from house to house” (Acts 2:46). – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (Hebrews 13:2). – “Show hospitality to one another without complaining” (1 Peter 4:9). Why hospitality advances the gospel • It embodies grace—unearned welcome mirrors God’s welcome in Christ. • It builds relational bridges over which truth can travel. • It models the coming kingdom banquet where people of every nation sit together. • It disciples the host as much as the guest, stretching hearts toward generosity. • It exposes unbelievers to family worship, prayer before meals, and Scripture-shaped conversation. Lessons from Paul’s rented house 1. Start where you live. A modest flat can become a mission base. 2. Keep the threshold low—“all who came” found an open door. 3. Let Scripture be the centerpiece of every visit. Hospitality is not just food but also Word. 4. Expect mixed responses. Some believed, others debated (Acts 28:24). Faithfulness, not outcomes, is our focus. 5. Persevere. Two years of routine, unspectacular hosting changed lives and seeded churches. Putting it into practice today • Set one extra place at each meal and pray God fills it. • Schedule a weekly open-house evening for neighbors or coworkers. • Pair coffee with a gentle reading of a Gospel chapter. • Invite lonely saints on Sundays; share leftovers and discuss the sermon. • Offer accommodation to missionaries, traveling pastors, or college students. • Train children to greet guests; hospitality is a family ministry, not an adult performance. The pattern is clear: when doors swing wide, so does the gospel. |
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