Backstory: The Proclaiming Church
Acts 25:1-28:31 | Session 14
Jim Dalrymple | Ozark Christian College
“The Word of God is not bound!” - 2 Timothy 2:8
1. TRIALS—Paul is bound but proclaims (Acts 26):
− Jesus/Paul Trial before Sanhedrin & High Priest
− Jesus/Paul Trial before Roman governor (Pilate / Felix & Festus)
− Jesus/Paul Trial before Herodian King (Antipas / Herod Agrippa II)
▪ Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great. He ruled as a client king over regions that included Galilee (48-66 AD).
▪ His father, Agrippa I, was eaten by worms and died in 44 AD (Acts 12).
▪ Agrippa II was overthrown during the Jewish revolt and retreated to Rome where he lived until his death (sometime around 94-100 AD).
▪ Bernice was the widowed sister of Agrippa II – the nature of their relationship was rife with rumors.
▪ This meeting would have been a shrewd political alliance for these two regional rulers—it reverberates with the same reasons Pilate and Herod became friends after the trial of Jesus (cf. Lk 23:12).
− Jesus/Paul Verdict = “he has done nothing deserving death.”
2. SHIPWRECK—Paul proclaims while on his way to Rome (Acts 27)
− Proclaiming and storms
− Proclaiming and shipwrecks
− Proclaiming and snakes
3. ROME—Paul awaits trial in Rome (Acts 28)
− Final destination of the narrative, “…and so we came to Rome” (28:14,16).
− Paul is placed under house arrest in Rome (28:16) but is granted freedom to receive guests.
o Paul invites the Jewish leaders (28:17-28)
o Paul extended his message to the Gentiles (28:28)
− Paul spends the next two years welcoming anyone who would listen.
Our Backstory: The persecuted, but proclaiming church
Acts 28:29-31 — 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!
“The Word of God is not bound!” - 2 Timothy 2:8
