The NT Church Mission - The Gospel - For better or worse
Text: Acts 28:11-31
Paul arrives in Rome
He explains his arrest
He requests to speak with them
Paul explains the gospel
Paul preaches Jesus to the Jews of Rome
Some were persuaded
Paul rebukes those who would not listen
Paul tells them that salvation is available to the Gentiles also
Paul under house arrest
Paul remains confined at least two years
He welcomed all who came to him
He preached Jesus to all who visited him
Paul is martyred
Rome caught fire in 64AD, and burned for days
The emperor Nero blamed the Christians
Nero had Christians slaughtered in great numbers
Peter was crucified
Paul was beheaded
Faithful till the end
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,
And the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
A Challenging Example
Paul was falsely accused of corrupting Judaism
Beaten by the Jews and arrested by the Romans
Kept imprisoned in Israel for more than two years
Sent to Rome
Shipwrecked and bitten by poisonous snake
He never stopped telling people about Jesus
No excuses!
The New Testament Church Mission
The Great Commission
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Matt. 28:19-20
The Great Promise
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be My witnesses Acts 1:8
The Great Example
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel 1 Cor. 9:16
For better or for worse, we are the ones responsible for whether the world hears the message of salvation