It is easy for us to read the Bible, like ancient history or a fairy tale at worst. We can forget that these were real people whom God worked through. Paul was just flesh and blood, just like me and you. And the same God that worked through Paul to do such things is the same God who works through you and I, if we will allow. These are real people with real stories and real life. This is not make-believe; this is reality. And a real God was at work in real ways. Then, and He still is today.

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Good morning! It’s Friday, and we’re concluding our journey through the book of Acts. What a ride it has been, spanning several months. Next week, we’ll take a brief interlude for Thanksgiving, exploring some Psalms of thanksgiving. After that, we’ll decide where to go next.

Let’s dive into the final verses of Acts, from 23 to 30. Paul, in Rome, sets a day to meet with the Jewish leaders. He explains matters to them from morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus, citing both the law of Moses and the prophets. Some are convinced, but others refuse to believe. Disagreements arise among them.

Paul, recognizing their hardened hearts, quotes the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming that the salvation of God will now be sent to the Gentiles, for they will listen. Paul spends two years in Rome, living under house arrest, teaching, preaching, and welcoming all who come to him. He proclaims the kingdom of God and teaches about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and without hindrance.

This pattern in Rome mirrors Paul’s ministry elsewhere—first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. It underscores the universal nature of the gospel, not limited to any specific group. Paul’s message is for all who follow Jesus.

As the book of Acts concludes, we see the early church taking root in Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire. The gospel spreads through the teachings of Paul, reaching various corners of Europe.

Tradition suggests that Paul was martyred under Nero’s persecution, likely around 68 AD. He was buried outside the city walls, and the church built on that site, St. Paul outside the walls, is believed to contain his sarcophagus.

It’s crucial to remember that figures like Paul were real people, not just characters in stories. The power of Jesus that worked through Paul is the same power available to us today through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, we forget the magnitude of the power and goodness at our disposal.

As we conclude Acts, let’s be reminded of the living God we serve, the same God who worked through Paul. The miraculous is not confined to Bible times; it’s present in our lives today.

Join us next week for a reflection on Psalms of thanksgiving. Thanks for being part of this journey. Have a wonderful weekend, and if you’re in the Madison area, we’d love to have you worship with us at St. Matthew’s this Sunday. See you soon!