²³They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Acts 28:23

The Jewish leaders in Rome arranged to meet with Paul on a specific day. The intention was to clarify what Paul had been talking about, specifically, the hope of Israel and how that relates or does not relate to the sect that they had heard about.

On the specified day, it was not just the Jewish leadership in Rome that Paul had to content with but a large cross section of the Jewish population In Rome came to where Paul was staying. It became a whole day retreat where Paul explained from morning to evening this hope of Israel and how it was related to Jesus Christ.

How does one explain the kingdom of God to a group of Jews? The concept of the realm of God is not something new to a group of people who consider themselves in covenant relationship with God. They have always considered themselves to be children of Abraham. Now these Jews are hearing about the faith of Abraham that earned him righteousness being connected with faith in Jesus Christ. In so doing all people are being welcomed into the realm of God on the basis of faith.

The kingdom of God was being defined not on the basis of work or heritage or nationality but on the basis of faith. By so doing Paul was broadening the tent of the kingdom of God to include several people who were outside the Jewish faith. But Paul was not downgrading what it meant to be a Jew with all the riches that had come from the patriarchs. Paul explained how the law, Moses and the prophets pointed to the coming of Jesus Christ who was going to usher in the kingdom of God. Paul was speaking of a kingdom that was deeply grounded in God’s action through the Jewish people.

Paul did his best to explain the message that had taken hold of his life and changed him. But he realized that this was something that words would not be enough to convince people. It had to take the power of the Holy Spirit to break the message to people’s heart.

Be Blessed

Brother Seth