Today was a great adventure through Acts 17 and into Acts 18, as we are walking through our overview of This great book of transition. We must always remember that Acts is a book of history, not a book of doctrine. Yes, doctrine is found on every page, but its principle goal is to chronicle the transition from salvation going through Israel and the Mosaic Law – repent and be baptized, to salvation being offered to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile alike.
Acts transitions from Jerusalem being the hub of activity concerning this new religion based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, to Antioch being the base for mission outreach in the Roman world. The gospel to the uncircumcision has its roots in Antioch. Acts transitions from Peter and the apostles being the focal point to Paul being responsible for taking the gospel through Asia into Greece, and ultimately to Rome. He truly is the apostle to the Gentiles. Acts transitions from the gospel of the kingdom of heaven on earth – the messianic kingdom ruled by Messiah King Jesus, to the gospel of the kingdom of God – the heavenly kingdom that is not a physical flesh and blood kingdom.
This morning, we saw that Paul finally decided that he will focus only on sharing the gospel with the Gentiles, in Acts 18:6. This is a critical turning point in finalizing the transition of this book from Jew to Gentile. We also examined the vow that Paul took during his second mission journey, being a devout Jew, and following the guidelines given in Numbers 6, for a Nazarite vow. I encourage you to read Numbers 6 for your own understanding, of why Paul is now on a journey to return to Jerusalem by Pentecost, to fulfill his vow. We will pick up the story of his return to Antioch and Jerusalem next Sunday.