After many hard days, Paul finally made it to Rome. Here is where he will spend the rest of his days teaching, preaching, and sharing the gospel – Jesus is Lord. That is the gospel; that is Good News. Jesus is Lord. Because of Paul and how God uses him, we see that the Good News will take hold and spread throughout all of Europe. As Tim Keller has taught us, Christianity is the only religion whose geographic center has shifted. Our faith is about following Jesus, that’s it. And anyone who does is part of our family.

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Good morning! It’s great to be with you on this chilly Thursday. I’m already bundled up in my office, trying to survive the cold winter ahead. But enough about the weather; let’s dive into our reading for today.

We’re continuing in Acts, and today we’ll be covering verses 11 through 22. Tomorrow, we’ll conclude our study with verses 23 through 30. So, let’s explore Paul’s arrival in Rome and his encounter with local leaders.

Three months later, Paul sets sail on a ship that had wintered on the island, an Alexandrian ship with twin brothers as its figurehead. They make stops in Syracuse and Petulia before finally arriving in Rome. The believers in Rome, hearing about Paul, come to meet him, and Paul, seeing them, thanks God and takes courage.

Upon reaching Rome, Paul is allowed to live by himself with a soldier guarding him. After three days, he calls together the local Jewish leaders. Paul explains his situation, stating that he’s bound for the hope of Israel. He recounts his arrest in Jerusalem and his appeal to the emperor due to objections from the Jews. The leaders express their lack of knowledge about Paul’s case, and they express their curiosity about the sect he represents, as it is spoken against everywhere.

It’s intriguing to note that Paul, in addressing the Jews, emphasizes that he is in chains for the hope of Israel. He sees his imprisonment as part of the fulfillment of the promises and covenants given to the Jewish people. This underscores how Christianity is the natural outgrowth and fulfillment of the Jewish faith.

The geographical shift of Christianity is also highlighted. Tim Keller’s observation about the changing center of Christianity is profound. Starting in Judea, it moves to Europe through Paul’s ministry and eventually to the United States, and now the global south, particularly Africa, holds the center.

Paul has finally reached Rome after a challenging journey, and he will spend the rest of his life there, teaching, preaching, and sharing the good news of Jesus. Tomorrow, we’ll conclude our study of Acts, delving into the remaining verses.

Thanks for joining us today. Stay warm, and I look forward to our final day in Acts tomorrow. See you then!