Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Terra Bella, CA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Acts 28:17-31.

Paul’s time in Rome begins similarly to his visit to other cities. He addresses the Jews first. He defends his own innocence, and, at the same time, he opens the door to proclaim the fulfillment of their hope in Christ. The Jews have not heard anything about Paul particularly and are willing to give him a hearing, although they know that Christianity is spoken against as a sect by most Jews. Despite a potentially hostile audience, Paul takes the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to the Jews. By the Holy Spirit’s work, some believe, though some do not. Paul preaches the warning from Isaiah 6 before moving on to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles. St. Luke concludes the book of Acts by noting how the Word of God continued to go forth in Rome for two years during Paul’s house arrest. This ending reminds us that no matter how Paul or Peter or any messengers of the Gospel die, the Word of God endures forever.


“To the End of the Earth” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Acts. In his second volume, St. Luke records all the things that Jesus continued to do through the ministry of His Church. By the end of the book, the proclamation of the Lord’s Word that began in Jerusalem grows all the way to Rome. By God’s grace, even now, that same Word is proclaimed to us.