Passage of the Day - March 2, 2011

Acts 28:17-31

 ¹⁷After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

 ¹⁸"And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.

 ¹⁹"But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.

 ²⁰"For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel."

 ²¹They said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.

 ²²"But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."

 ²³When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.

 ²⁴Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.

 ²⁵And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,

 ²⁶saying,
         'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY,
         "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
         AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
    ²⁷FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
         AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
         AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES;
         OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
         AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
         AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
         AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'

 ²⁸"Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."

 ²⁹[When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]

 ³⁰And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,

 ³¹preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

And this concludes the Book of Acts.  This passage shows us the simple truth that some will believe and others will not.  It shows us that belief or unbelief has less to do with our ability and more to do with the hearts of the audience.  God is offering salvation that is found in His Son.  Our primary responsibility is to deliver the offer to world.  That is it.  We can have little impact on the buyer.  We are like a television or a newspaper or even a valpak envelope.  We don’t influence the buyer, but rather it is the offer itself and the heart of the buyer that determines whether or not the offer is accepted.  We don’t buy something because our television told us to.  We buy something because we recognize a need or desire and the offer will meet such a need or desire.

However, if the tv decides to not work, then the offer (although made) won’t be delivered and no such acceptance can take place.  That is why we must be diligent to continue to deliver the offer to the world.  We must deliver the offer to everyone so all will be without excuse.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Used by permission." (http://www.lockman.org/)