S – Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. 

²⁵ Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah ²⁶ when he said, 

Go to these people and say: You will always be listening, but never understanding; 

and you will always be looking, but never perceiving. ²⁷ For the hearts of these people 

have grown callous, their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; 

otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.^, 

Acts 28:24–27 CSB

O –  Commentary:

The disagreement among the Jewish leaders in Rome about Paul’s message showed that they were not amenable to the gospel. With prophetic insight Paul applied the words of Isaiah (6:9–10) to his own contemporaries. Obstinate refusal to believe results in calloused hearts, deafened ears, and spiritually blinded eyes. This had happened to Israel both in Isaiah’s day and in Paul’s (cf. Rom. 11:7–10). Interestingly Paul ascribed Isaiah’s words to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 4:25).

“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – It is worth noting in finishing the book of Acts that the central conflict of Paul’s time is also a conflict today.  Overall, the Jewish culture doesn’t not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and the Gentile nations are more readily accepting of this.  Also, all of us can e calloused in hearing the word of God and “turning it off.”  The answer to both is accepting Christ as our savior and living daily in relationship with Him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  It is easy to believe in ourselves more than you.  Help us to invite you into our lives daily and live out our relationship with you.  Give us strength and faith to put you first and our own will second.  You are God and we put you on the throne of our lives.

S – But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, and so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. ⁴⁴

Acts 27:43–44 CSB

O – Commentary:

Because soldiers were accountable with their own lives for any prisoners who escaped (cf. 12:19; 16:27) they planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. For the soldiers this was simply a matter of self-preservation.

The centurion, however, wanted to spare Paul’s life. He saw the value and trustworthiness of this prisoner and so forestalled the soldiers’ plan. Obviously God was sovereignly at work to spare Paul for ministry at Rome and to guarantee the fulfillment of his prediction (v. 24)

“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – God granted Paul favor with the centurion even in all the other “storms” in his life.  It is hard to imagine the strength Paul is showing while  a prisoner, in terrible storms, on a boat ready to be destroyed, hadn’t eaten in 14 days and still, he knows he is going to make it to Rome.  All of it comes together to fulfill God’s plan.  When people ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people,” this shows that God is a part of this too.  Only God knows why he allowed all of those challenges but He did.

R – Heavenly Father, you are all present and powerful.  We invite you to do your will in our lives today.  We surrender our expectations and will to you.  We trust that you have our best interest in the purpose and plan you have for us.

S – Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?” 

²⁹“I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.

Acts 26:28–29 CSB 

O – Commentary:

This enigmatic remark might have been ironic, incredulous, scoffing, or brushing off Paul’s challenge. It also might have been a direct statement of Paul’s persuasiveness, or a direct statement about or genuine question of Paul’s intention. It seems best to take Agrippa’s reply as deliberately evasive: He didn’t want to admit that he believed the prophets (26:27), for Paul had just made a strong case, and the next step would be to believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah to whom the prophets pointed. Agrippa didn’t want to take that step. On the other hand, he didn’t want to say that he didn’t believe the prophets, for that would alienate the Jewish subjects to whose loyalties he wanted to appeal. His non-committal response underlines his discomfort with Paul’s testimony.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Paul calls the court to salvation while on trial.  The irony of it gives us a fresh picture of God’s working in situations that don’t make sense.  You would expect Paul to plead for his freedom and release.  Instead, he shares his story and the plan of salvation.  God will use us if we make ourselves available.  The final irony is that they would have given him his freedom but he appealed to Caesar.

R – Heavenly Father, you are unlimited in power and presence.  We invite you into all the situations and conversations today.  You draw others to you by your Holy Spirit and love.  Help us to be vessels for you in the way we speak and interact with others.

S – If then I did anything wrong and am deserving of death, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!

Acts 25:11 CSB

O – Commentary:

There is some debate as to whether Festus was legally bound to remand the case to Caesar (Nero, who reigned from a.d. 54–68), or if he could have chosen to handle the case himself. If Festus had decided to hear the case and made a negative decision, Paul could still have appealed to Caesar. But Festus probably had no alternative but to transfer the case to Rome. So after he had conferred with his council, he announced that in view of Paul’s appeal, he must go to Caesar.

“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Paul’s time imprisoned in Rome changed the history of the world with some of  the letters he wrote.  Many of these letters became the New Testament.  God has a plan in our situations that don’t make sense some times.  We can trust that he is working even when we don’t see it.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the King of all Kings and there is none greater than you.  We invite you to lead us in your purpose and plans today.  Even when it doesn’t make sense, we will walk in trust and faith that you will work it for our good.

S – I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. 

 Acts 24:16. CSB

O – Commentary:

Paul stressed that he had acted with a clear conscience (see 20:27, 33; 23:1; 1 Cor 4:4; 2 Cor 1:12; 4:2; see 2 Tim 1:3). He had not departed from his Jewish heritage (24:14), and he had no fear of God’s judgment (24:15).

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Paul stresses his discipline to have a no “unkept business” with God or man.  It is a good reminder for us.  We must search ourselves for any sin we have not dealt with God.  Dealing with sin in our lives allows for a stronger relationship with God.  The same is true for others.  When we deal with the conflict with others, it frees up the path for greater relationships.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Please help us to discern anything that will slow down our relationship with you.  We want to know you fully and be fully known as well.  Same with others in our lives.  We want nothing to hold back our ability to build healthy relationships with others.

S- The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.” 

Acts 23:11 CSB

O – Commentary:

The importance of this vision was not only in its comfort and encouragement (cf. 18:9–10) but also in the confirmation it gave of Paul’s plans to go to Rome. The gospel of Christ would literally go from Jerusalem to Rome by means of the Apostle Paul. This was the fourth vision the Lord gave Paul (cf. 9:4–6; 16:9; 18:9–10).

“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When we recognize in hindsight that God’s plan in sharing the gospel was to reach the world, the journey of Paul and the early church makes sense.  I cannot imagine what it felt like at the time it was happening.  I am sure Paul needed assurance and encouragement that God was directing this.  We can receive the same through the Holy Spirit bringing comfort and guidance in our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, you are all knowing and always present.  Thank you for comforting and guiding our lives.  Each of us face challenges and trials.  Your presence is important to us and gives us hope, strength and courage to journey forward today.

S – When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 

²⁷ The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” 

“Yes,” he said

Acts 22:26–27 CSB

O – Commentary:

In this period, Roman citizenship was not common in the east, especially among the non-elite, so no one had expected it for this prisoner. Paul might wait until he has been chained for the same reason as in 16:37: he now has legal room to maneuver against them. Law prohibited even binding a Roman citizen without trial; although not all governors followed the law, the tribune would be wise to avoid a breach that could bring him into trouble with the governor. If one claimed to be a citizen, officials were supposed to treat him as such until documentation could be procured or checked

 The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament,

A – Paul is strategic of knowing “Who he is.”  He used his citizenship of Tarsus earlier to save himself and now uses his Roman citizenship to do the same.  It was all part of God’s plan to get him to the right audience.  We need to be led by the Holy Spirit put ourselves into the “right” situations.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Lord of all.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us into situations today where we can be most effective for you.  We know who we are in you – we are created by you for a relationship with you.  You gift us with talents, abilities and a heart all for your pleasure.

S – Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. Now I ask you, let me speak to the people.

Acts 21:39 CSB

O – Commentary:

Romans and Greeks in this period often looked down on Egyptians (21:38), but Tarsus was a respected city. Citizenship in a Greek city gave one higher status than the many who were merely “residents” of the city (who were in turn considered above transients and rural people). One became a citizen only by birth in a citizen family or as a grant from the city authorities. City pride and rivalry were fierce in antiquity, especially in Asia Minor, and Tarsus was a prominent city. It was one of antiquity’s chief educational centers. Rome had made Tarsus a “free” city, the highest honor a city in the empire could receive next to being a Roman *colony. Tarsus’s citizens were not automatically Roman citizens (it was not a Roman colony), but dual citizenship was allowed in this period. Paul saves his disclosure of Roman citizenship as a trump card in case he needs it later. Although most Jews were not citizens of Gentile cities, some of their most prominent members were.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – God uses all of our story.  Paul’s family could not forecast that being a citizen of Tarsus would open doors for him to share the gospel.  He will use all of our journey to prepare and set us up to do his will.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the King of Kings.  Thank you for all the gifts, talents and abilities you have blessed us with.  We surrender them to you to use to accomplish your will and purpose.  We are available to be used by you to share the gospel today.

S – But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace. 

 Acts 20:24 CSB

O – Paul is departing for Jerusalem, knowing there is pain waiting for him.  The value in his life is not for himself but those he shares the gospel.  He wants to finish his ministry strong and faithful.   The Gospel of God’s grace was shown to him when he was attacking the early church. Yet, God had compassion and mercy on him and saved him from his sins.

A – We need to finish our race like Paul.  He didn’t ask for perfection.  He yearned for faithful consistency in his ministry and walk with God.  We can do that.  Our lives share the story of what God has done for us in relationship. 

R – Heavenly Father, you are a holy and just God.  Empower us today to run the race you have for us today.  We grow from yesterday and cannot live in the future.  You give us today as an opportunity to walk with your presence and power.  Let our lives be a testimony of your love and grace.

S – When they had heard this, they were filled with rage and began to cry out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ So the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed all together into the amphitheater, dragging along Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s traveling companions. ³⁰ Although Paul wanted to go in before the people, the disciples did not let him

Acts 19:28–30 CSB

O –  Commentary:

The silversmiths, enraged at Paul by Demetrius’ speech, instigated a riot and rushed to the Ephesian theater, the largest place for an assembly of people in the city, capable of seating 25,000. As tokens of opposition the people seized Gaius and Aristarchus (cf. 20:4). Gaius was a common name; so it is doubtful this is the same man mentioned in Romans 16:23 and 1 Corinthians 1:14. Aristarchus is also mentioned in Acts 20:4 and 27:2. Evidently the two escaped with little or no injury.

19:30–31. These verses are important not only for what they directly state but also for what they imply. Paul was eager to defend the gospel, ready to take on his opponents! But the Christians did not let him

“Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – I have seen the amphitheater on a trip to the site of ancient Ephesus.  It was easy to get to from the major parts of the city and market.  Knowing the culture of people gathering for such  demonstrations, you can see the mayor’s response was appropriate to calm the crowd.  You can also understand Paul wanting to share with such a crowd the good news of Christ.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are Lord of all.  We invite you to work in our hearts to be open to share and be quiet.  We need your wisdom and discernment to know when to do either one.  We ask that you lead us by your Holy Spirit today.