Each year after Easter we have a short series on the book of Acts. After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, and the outpouring of the Spirit, the early Christians were emboldened to live and speak for Jesus in a way that sent ripples throughout the Roman world, which we are still feeling today.
Our hope and desire is that as we study these early Christians we’d catch some of their fire, their faith and their courage.
From Jerusalem to Rome.
In Acts 21-28 Luke gives us details of Paul’s fourth and final missionary journey. The passages themselves are full of Paul’s travel plans and boat journeys (including a terrible storm), before he arrives at the end destination of Rome where we read (Acts 28:30-31):
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
Paul’s trials
In Jerusalem and on his way to Rome Luke gives us a number of Paul’s speeches to different audiences – some informal and spontaneous (a mob crowd), and some formal and prepared (an audience with Roman authorities). In each account Paul is both defending the gospel against false charges and proclaiming the true gospel into a sceptical (and often hostile) environment.
Part of the purpose of this section of the book of Acts is to defend the gospel before sceptical non-believers who have heard that Christianity is a troublemaking and illegal faith. Paul shows in each case the reasonableness of the Christian gospel and his integrity as an evangelist.
True and reasonable
At one point in his audience with Festus in Acts 26:25-26 Paul says:
“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.
Given how sceptical our modern western culture is with the gospel and the church, there is much we can learn from how Paul conducts himself – his manner, message and motive – in the face of opposition and scepticism.
Here is how we will break up our preaching series:
- Sunday 7th April – Paul’s defence before the Jerusalem crowd (Acts 21:27-22:29)
- Sunday 14th April – Paul’s defence before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem (Acts 22:30-23:11)
- Sunday 21st April – Paul’s defence before Felix in Caesarea (Acts 241:-27)
- Sunday 28th April – Paul’s defence before Agrippa in Caesarea (Acts 25:23-26:32)
- Sunday 5th May – Paul’s testimony in the storm (Acts 27:20-28:1)
- Sunday 19th May – Paul’s defence under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:17- 30)
Podcast Resources – Defending the faith
As we think about ‘defending our faith’ I cannot recommend more highly this podcast by Justin Brierley called The Surprising Rebirth of belief in God, how new athiesm grew old and how secular thinkers are considering Christianity again – https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth
Or this one by Rebecca McClauglin on Confronting Christianity – https://www.rebeccamclaughlin.org/podcasts
Or this one by Andrew Wilson and Glen Scrivener on Post Christianity? – https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/post-christianity/
You can find them on all platforms
Do read previous posts and check out resources listed there.
- Acts 2-6 – The Spirit Filled Church
- Acts 6-9 – Surprising Power
- Acts 10-15 – The Gospel For All
- Acts 16-20 – The Gospel in the city
Join us:
10.30am in Oatlands Primary School, Stillorgan – South congregation
4.30pm in Synge Street Secondary School, Portobello – Central congregation