Ajith Fernando concludes his commentary on Acts by reminding us how Paul contextualized his message and taught with worldview in mind:

“If we are truly to identify with those whom we are trying to reach, we must open our lives to them as Paul did.

In such situations, Paul preached and taught (v. 31).  Preaching (kerysso) refers to a proclamation of the message that appeals primarily to the will of the individual.  In eaching (didasko) the emphasis is more on challenging the mind.  Often in Acts evangelism is described as teaching (5:21, 25, 28).  Especially when evangelizing people who do not have a Christian worldview, teaching is important to understand what Christians are saying and thus make an intelligent decision.  however, impressed they may be by the oratory in preaching, they will interpret our message by sending its words through the grid of their own worldview.  they may make a decision in response to our invitation, but they have not understood the gospel.

The evangelistic discussions that Paul had with his audiences undoubtedly helped the truth of the gospel sink into their minds.  Two days before writing this I spoke at a YFC evangelistic camp.  About 70% of the youth in the audience were Buddhist, Hindu, or Muslim.  I spoke on who Jesus is, explaining things that the Gospels say about him.  The speakers before me had spoken on creation, the Fall, and the efects of sin on personal life and relationships.  After my talk we had a seventy-five minute discussion about what Christians believe.  Much of what happened up to that time had ben teaching the truths about Christianity through talks and discussions.  When an evangelist spoke the night after I had spoken, many people were ready to commit their lives to Christ.  though this was an evangelistic camp, the teaching was as critical as the preaching.

Since the majority of the people in the West today have rejected Christianity, their worldview too is not Christian.  therefore witnesses in the post-Christian West face the same challenge that we in so-called  non-Christian countries do.  A key to effective evangelism in both these environments is teaching people what Christians believe and being sensitive to their reactions.  Teaching does not have to be boring!  I have heard people say of some Christian communicators that they are teachers, not preachers.  But what they really meant is that they were boring speakers.  Teachers must use a variety of means to attarct and keep the attention of the audience.”

(The NIV Application Commentary: Acts pp.631,632)

Acts 28:16-31

¹⁶ When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

 ¹⁷ Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. ¹⁸ They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. ¹⁹ The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. ²⁰ For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

 ²¹ They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. ²² But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

 ²³ They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. ²⁴ Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. ²⁵ They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

 ²⁶ “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
   you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
²⁷ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
   they hardly hear with their ears,
   and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
   hear with their ears,
   understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’^[a]

 ²⁸ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” ^{[29] [b]}

 ³⁰ For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. ³¹ He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Questions

1. To whom was Paul chained?
2. To whom did Paul preach?
3. How does this passage reveal the methods that Paul has used throughout Acts?
4. Why do you think the book ends abruptly?
5. How are you living as Acts 29?