“Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:30–31)
This book began after Jesus rose from the grave, with Jesus saying a few departing words then ascending into heaven. What followed in the heights of heaven was King Jesus being seated at the right hand of the Father and interceding for believers. Then at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came with boldness and power. History was forever impacted, and the world was flipped upside down. Thousands of believers came to faith and were baptized in the name of Jesus—including Gentiles. At His ascension, we see the floodgates of kingdom of heaven opening, and He is making all things new.
Let’s reflect on the Holy Spirit as a Person working actively in Acts. The same Holy Spirit who moved powerfully in believers then throughout this book is living in Christian believers today. This same Holy Spirit who was in Paul—enabling him to welcome visitors and proclaim the gospel with all boldness and without hindrance—He is the same Person who is with you today, enabling you to do the same. And God prepared Paul for ministry, giving him passion, allowing him to minister for two years while being under house arrest with Roman guards—without hindrance. What incredible grace.
These may be the last few sentences of Acts, but indeed, the followers of Jesus will do greater things. And while we look forward to Christ’s return, we also look forward to God doing even greater things through His Spirit working in us. We are a new creation in Christ. So despite this chapter being the ending of Acts, this really is just a beginning. The ending begs the question: “How does my life story fit into God’s story for redemption?” When you answer faithfully and surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior as Paul did, you will find this ending “to be continued…”