Speech #20 - Paul's last speech in Acts 28

The final speech is in Rome.

Paul had been taken for being a god, early in the chapter v6, though Luke makes no comment on Paul's reaction to this, we know from earlier statements Paul firmly corrected such misinterpretations.

Act 14:11  And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

Act 14:12  And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

Act 14:13  Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

Act 14:14  Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

Act 14:15  And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

Act 14:16  Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

But now in Rome after Paul explains his situation briefly to the Jews beginning in v17.

We pick up the final speech in v23. We only have a brief summary of his speech....and even less of the following two years where he continued to preach and teach. We close our reading in Acts here.

Act 28:23  And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Act 28:24  And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Act 28:25  And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

Act 28:26  Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

Act 28:27  For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Act 28:28  Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

Act 28:29  And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

Act 28:30  And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

Act 28:31  Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.