Acts 28:30-31 And Paul dwelled two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in to him,… Here his biographer takes leave of Paul. The curtain falls on the great actor. The greatest life has a close. These verses suggest — I. THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY. 1. "Those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ" — not the things which concern religious speculations or organisations. 2. The reign of God over the human soul, "the kingdom of God." The grand aim of Christ's mission was to establish this, and nothing lay so near His heart. This was what He urged men to seek and to pray for, and what He illustrated in His parables. For this He works now, and will work until "the kingdoms of this world shall be the kingdoms of our God." II. THE TRIALS OF ITS DISCIPLES. 1. That the best of us are not to expect exemption from trials. Let us not murmur. Paul felt that his were for his good, and "gloried in tribulations." 2. That the most useful minister is not essential to Christ. He who laboured more than all is now under restraint. Let no man overrate his services. III. THE MISSION OF CHRIST'S MINISTERS. 1. Paul's "preaching" was "teaching" — not declamation, or a repetition of platitudes however logically or rhetorically put. This implies learning on the part of the hearer, and superior intelligence on the part of the minister. 2. His teaching was the indoctrinating of men in Christian essentials. IV. THE FORCE OF ITS INFLUENCE. 1. Of its soul sustaining influence — "With all confidence" — in the midst of enemies. 2. Of its aggressive influence (Philippians 1:12-14; Philemon 1:10). (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,WEB: Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him, |
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