"GOSPEL PREACHING IN THE FIRST CENTURY"
Paul Under House Arrest In Rome
INTRODUCTION
1. We have looked at seven examples of gospel preaching in the first
century...
a. Three by the apostle Peter
b. Two by the evangelist Philip
c. Two by the apostle Paul
2. Our final example of gospel preaching is a third by the apostle
Paul...
a. Found at the end of the book of Acts
b. Upon his arrival, and during his extended stay in Rome
[It was after a harrowing journey by sea involving shipwreck, as Paul is
placed under house arrest awaiting his appeal to Caesar in Rome,
Italy...]
I. THE SETTING(S)
A. AUDIENCE WITH JEWISH LEADERS...
1. Paul had just arrived in Rome - Ac 28:16
2. He called Jewish leaders to explain the reason for his arrival
- Ac 28:17-20
3. They graciously grant him an opportunity to explain his beliefs
- Ac 28:21-23
B. VISITORS FOR TWO YEARS...
1. Paul was allowed to live in a rented home awaiting his trial
- Ac 28:30
2. For two years he taught those who came to visit him - Ac 28:30-31
[In both settings, at the beginning and during the course of his
imprisonment, let’s now look at...]
II. THE SERMON(S)
A. CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF GOD...
1. A major theme of Paul’s preaching
a. "he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God"
- Ac 28:23
b. "preaching the kingdom of God" - Ac 28:31
c. As mentioned previously by Luke - cf. Ac 19:8; 20:25
2. A major theme of others’ preaching
a. By John the Baptist - Mt 3:1-2
b. By Jesus Christ - Mk 1:14-15
c. By Philip the evangelist - Ac 8:12
3. As summarized before, this theme likely entailed:
a. The need to seek first the kingship and sovereignty of God
- cf. Mt 6:33
b. Sovereignty now exercised through His Son, Jesus - cf. Mt 28:18; Ac 2:36; 5:31
c. In which all can now participate - cf. Col 1:13; Re 1:9
d. By responding to the call of the gospel - cf. 1Th 2:12; 2Th 2:14
e. Remaining faithful to Christ, even to death - cf. Re 2:10,
26-27; 3:21
B. CONCERNING JESUS CHRIST...
1. Another major theme of Paul’s preaching
a. "concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the
Prophets" - Ac 28:23
b. "teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ"
- Ac 28:31
c. As mentioned previously by Luke - cf. Ac 17:1-3; 18:28;
26:22-23
2. As seen from such passages, this theme proclaimed:
a. That Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead
b. That He would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the
Gentiles
c. That Jesus is the Christ foretold by the Law and the
Prophets
C. CONCERNING THOSE WHO DID NOT BELIEVE...
1. Some did not believe what Paul preached - Ac 28:24
2. The Holy Spirit had foretold such disbelief through Isaiah - Ac 28:25-27
3. Rejection by the Jews would grant opportunity for the Gentiles
- Ac 28:28
4. As Paul had proclaimed to Jewish audiences before - cf. Ac 13:46-47
CONCLUSION
1. Once again, we see that gospel preaching in the first century...
a. Proclaimed the kingdom of God and Jesus as the Christ
b. Warned of the danger and consequences of disbelief
2. Summarizing what we have seen in these eight cases of gospel
preaching...
a. The gospel contains facts to believe
1) Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according
to the Scriptures
2) He now reigns as king, and will one day return to judge the
world
b. The gospel contains commands to obey
1) Faith, in Jesus as the Son of God who died for our sins
2) Repentance, making the decision to turn from sin and live for
God
3) Confession, of one’s faith in Jesus as the Christ and Son of
God
4) Baptism, immersion in water for the remission of sins
c. The gospel contains promises to receive
1) The remission of sins, through the blood of Christ
2) The gift of the Holy Spirit, empowerment for holy living
3) The promise of the resurrection and eternal life, providing
hope and comfort
Many gladly received the gospel as preached in the first century, and
responded accordingly. Yet many did not, and so judged themselves
unworthy of eternal life.
How about you? Have you heard and obeyed the gospel as proclaimed in
the first century? Not some perverted gospel (cf. Ga 1:6-9), but that
gospel preached by the apostles and preachers of Jesus Christ? I pray
that you have, for the time is coming...
"...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know
God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ." - 2Th 1:7-8
Only the pure and simple gospel of Christ can spare you from the
judgment of that Great Day!
