The End … Or Is It?
The way the Book of Acts concludes is puzzling. There are a lot of unanswered questions. Remember, it was written by Luke, a doctor, who was very focused on details. And yet, we are left with no answers to what happened to Paul, his trial, or even the early Church. There’s no “good bye”, no “And that is the end of the story.” Just one final statement about Paul living in Rome for two years and continuing to preach the Gospel.
As I mentioned yesterday, tradition does suggest that Paul was released from prison and did a fourth missionary trip. Paul seems to suggest this in his letter to the Philippians. In that letter, he explains that he hopes to be released shortly, and was planning on travelling to them.
Some believe that it is during a forth journey that Paul writes both 1 Timothy and Titus. Then, he was arrested again and brought back to Rome. During that second imprisonment, he writes 2 Timothy, which was the last letter he wrote.
We don’t know for sure. The Bible isn’t clear.
Perhaps the reason why it isn’t clear is because when you get right down to it, the book of Acts isn’t the story of Paul. It’s the story of the Church. It’s the story of how God used individuals to spread the message of good news to the world.
Maybe Acts ends abruptly because it isn’t supposed to end. Perhaps the story is to continue through us. We are part of the story and have the privilege of writing the next chapter.
I love how the Life Application Bible concludes Acts. Let me quote it for you:
“The book of Acts deals with the history of the Christian church and its expansion in ever-widening circles touching Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, and Rome – the most influential cities in the Western world. Acts also shows the mighty miracles and testimonies of the heroes and martyrs of the early church – Peter, Stephen, James, Paul. All the ministry was prompted and held together by the Holy Spirit working in the lives of ordinary people – merchants, travelers, slaves, jailers, church leaders, males, females, Gentiles, Jews, rich, poor. Many unsung heroes of the faith continued the work, through the Holy Spirit, in succeeding generations, changing the world with a changeless message: Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord of all who call on him. Today we can be the unsung heroes in the continuing story of the spread of the Good News. It is that same message that we Christians are to take to our world so that many more may hear and believe.”
Until tomorrow.