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Paul's Defense and Gospel Proclamation - Acts 28:16-31 — 4/7/2025 10:00 AM
Today's speaker is Dr. Trent Rogers, Dean of the School of Biblical and Theological Studies at Cedarville University. Dr. Rogers concludes the faculty series in the Book of Acts. Dr. Rogers teaches from Acts 28:16-31 that we must proclaim the gospel hope for all people; we are continuing the mission of Peter, Paul, and others to declare this message to the end of the earth.
Notes
Today in chapel, Dr. Trent Rogers brought us to the end of the book of Acts. As we approach the conclusion, it’s clear that the Apostle Paul’s journey has not been the grand, triumphant finale we might have expected back in Acts 2. After all the signs, wonders, and powerful proclamations, we now find Paul in prison, awaiting a trial in Rome. Yet, far from being a defeat, this moment serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing mission of the Church: proclaiming the Gospel hope to all people.
In Acts 28, we see both hope for Israel and hope for the Gentiles. In verses 17–22, Paul shares the Gospel with the Jewish leaders in Rome. He testifies that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the hopes found in the Old Testament. The promises given to Israel, from the seed of the woman in Genesis 3 to God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12, have been fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. However, some of the Jewish leaders reject this truth, a rejection that is sadly consistent with the history of Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. But even in the face of this rejection, Paul’s mission remains clear: to proclaim the Gospel and offer hope.
This message is not just for Israel, however. In verses 23–28, Paul boldly proclaims that God’s plan has always included the Gentiles. Using Scripture to back his claims, Paul emphasizes that the salvation of the Gentiles was always a part of God’s redemptive plan. The hope of the Gospel is not exclusive; it is for all people and is not confined by race, culture, or background. It is an invitation for everyone to come to Christ.
Finally, in verses 30–31, Paul continues his mission of proclaiming the Gospel in prison. This image is a reminder that the end of the mission is not merely the completion of tasks or the growth of the Church in numbers; it is worship. The ultimate goal of the Gospel is not just a new moral order but to bring glory to God through the worship of His name. As Revelation 7:9–10 paints a picture of the end of history, we are reminded that the Gospel will reach the ends of the earth, and we are called to be part of that mission.
As we read Acts, we must view it through the lens of God’s redemptive work throughout history — from creation and the fall to God’s promises and the fulfillment of those promises in Christ. Our mission, as believers today is to continue the Apostles’ mission: to declare the hope of the Gospel to all people, regardless of their background, and to give our lives to the worship of God.
So, let us ask ourselves: Are we actively participating in the mission to bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth? As Dr. Rogers challenges us, “Give yourself to what matters most.” Let us join in the work of proclaiming the hope that is found in Jesus Christ.