Acts 28

We have seen throughout the book of Acts the establishment of the church, the formation of deacons, and the sending out of missionaries. In addition, we have seen the greatest evangelist and missionary in history transform from a Christian hating, church destroying Jew to a fearless and faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Here the book closes with Paul shipwrecked on Isle of Malta. However, that is not where the ministry of Paul ends. While on the island Paul keeps ministering and healing while proclaiming the gospel. After securing passage on another ship and arriving in Rome, Paul makes his defense before Caesar which resulted in Paul staying in Rome for two more years but not in prison instead in his own house. During this time Paul has the ability to continue sharing the hope of Jesus and the urgency of salvation through Jesus alone. Earlier Paul traveled extensively to share the Gospel but now the Holy Spirit drew people to him for the opportunity to heal through Jesus and share the name of Jesus.

What we find through this great historical account is that regardless of the opposition before or around us, we must "press-on" with the intent of sharing the message of salvation through Jesus alone. The Alabama State Board of Missions has a mission statement that says, "We have One Mission - The Great Commission, One Program - The Cooperative Program and Many Ministries - Great Commission Ministries." This statement focuses on one purpose resulting in many achievements regardless of setbacks or difficulties. That is what we learn from Acts. The next great lesson is the our power to accomplish and succeed is not based on who we are but who fills us. Acts 1:8 said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Our power is from the gift of God. The final great lesson is that faithfulness to God will result in opposition from the world but also from the people inside the church who are not walking in the Spirit of God, but we must press on!

I hope this blog, though new has been a great experience for you these last 28 days. We will begin a new blog in the next week. I will announce Sunday where this new blog will focus. Thanks for the encouraging comments and support. May God bless you in your quest to be more like Jesus.