Daily Devotional | Safe and Sound

We have come to the end of the book of Acts but not to the end of Paul’s story. We have been given a realistic view of life in the early church. We have heard the gospel message as preached by the apostles. And we have been encouraged by the power of the gospel to save! When Paul arrives “safely on shore” at Malta (v. 1), the islanders treated him with reverence and respect, although some of their notions about him were misguided (v. 6). Once in Rome, Paul was a prisoner again, living under house arrest (v. 16).

The first thing Paul did was to present his case to the local Jewish leaders. The reason was probably twofold. First, this was simply Paul’s normal practice. He always began his evangelistic work with the Jewish people. Second, it may have been advantageous to his case. Since the complaint against him had to do with matters of Jewish belief, it would strengthen his argument before the emperor if the Jewish leaders in Rome agreed that Paul had committed no crime against the Jewish people or their customs (v. 17).

“We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you,” they said (v. 21). “But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect” (v. 22). Paul’s message had two main thrusts. First, he preached Christ to them from the Scriptures (v. 23). Second, Paul explained that this good news wasn’t for Jews only but that “God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (v. 28).

>> The book of Acts gives us every reason to be thankful for the gospel. It reveals God’s power to save everyone who responds to it with faith. If you have not done so already, believe it. If you already believe, ask God for a chance to share the gospel with someone today.

Pray with Us

Father, thank you for the lessons we’ve learned this month from the life of the early church. Lord, thank you for the gospel—a treasure you’ve given us. Truly, it’s your power to save! May we live worthy of the gospel. Amen!

BY Dr. John Koessler

John Koessler is Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology and Church Ministries at Moody Bible Institute. John authors the “Practical Theology” column for Today in the Word of which he is also a contributing writer and theological editor. An award-winning author, John’s newest title is When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray (Kirkdale). Prior to joining the Moody faculty, he served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He and his wife, Jane, now enjoy living in a lakeside town in Michigan.