THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION

`... wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?' (Acts 1:6).

It closes with Israel and its hope set aside. The story is contained in the last fifteen verses of the Acts. These verses

record the two critical meetings which the apostle had with the elders of the Jews in Rome.

The first meeting, with its results, occupies Acts 28:17-22. The second, with its results, occupies Acts 28:23-31. It

is important to notice that the Acts is not constructed like an epistle, which ordinarily has three members, (1)

Introduction and Greeting; (2) Epistle; and (3) Conclusion and Benediction. Acts has no conclusion in any sense

parallel with that of an epistle. Indeed many commentators have speculated upon the abruptness of its close.

Therefore Acts 28:30,31 must not be severed from the remainder and called `Conclusion'; it forms an integral part of

the closing portion and is the Holy Spirit's corresponding feature to the all-day conference among the Jews (Acts

Before we turn to this final section of the Acts we must notice how it is introduced. When Paul reached Rome, `the

centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard' (Acts 28:16). A difference was made in Paul's case

apparently. `But Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with a soldier that guarded him' (Acts 28:16 Author's

translation). It is highly probable that the good report which would be made of Paul's conduct on the voyage and

during the storm and wreck, together with the findings of Festus, Felix and Agrippa, influenced those in authority.

After three days the apostle called together the chief of the Jews and expressly told them that he had called them

together to speak to them:

`... because that for the HOPE OF ISRAEL I am bound with this chain' (Acts 28:20).

The hope of Israel is voiced in Acts 1:6; it is pledged in Acts 2:1-21; it is conditional upon Israel's repentance (Acts

3:19-26); it is only possible in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Acts 4:10-12); and it is attested by miracle and

signs (Acts 2 to 28). Will that hope of Israel be attained? Yes, for the gifts and calling of God are without

`Blindness in part hath happened unto Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in, and so all Israel shall

be saved' (Rom. 11:25 Author's translation).

Was it attained by Israel at the end of the Acts? No, the representatives of Israel among the dispersion manifested

the same spirit as had been shown by the rulers of Israel in the land. They fulfilled Isaiah 6:10, of which more

presently. A day was appointed when the chief of the Jews were to assemble and hear what the apostle had to say.

A a 28:23-.  Chief of Jews come to Paul's lodging.

b 28:-23-.  Paul expounds the kingdom of God.

c 28:-23.  Concerning `Jesus', out of Moses and Prophets.

Israel. They heard not.

Gentiles. They will hear.

All come to Paul's hired house.

b 28:31-.  Paul preaches the kingdom of God.

c 28:-31.  Concerning `The Lord Jesus Christ'.

Perhaps the dominant feature of this present Volume may be said to be the black line in the above structure

which divides it into two distinct halves. It is the dispensational landmark or boundary. Till this point is reached

Israel are looked upon as a nation, and the hope of Israel was the hope of the church and of the apostle to the

Gentiles. Notice how every item is enforced by the parallelism. Do the chief of the Jews meet Paul in his lodging?

then those who come afterwards to hear the word meet Paul in his own hired house. Does Paul expound and testify

the kingdom of God to the Jews? then he preaches it to the Gentiles. Is Jesus the great object of his persuasion to

the Jews? Then The Lord Jesus Christ is the theme of his teaching among the Gentiles.