“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” (Acts 28:23)

In this final scene of Paul’s spiritually intense life, he convinced the Jewish leaders in Rome to visit him while he was under unjust house arrest. How did he handle them? Three actions set an example for those who wish to live for Jesus.

First, he explained Jesus from the Scriptures. Perhaps Paul pointed to Isaiah 53, even as the Lord Himself did, saying, “For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, and he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end” (Luke 22:37). Paul may have explained why Jesus is indeed that “seed” promised to arise from “the woman” who would deal the devil a death blow (Genesis 3:15). Are we ready to explain how Jesus fulfilled specific Scriptures?

Not satisfied with mere academics, Paul expounded on what the Lord Jesus had done in his life when he “testified the kingdom of God.” For example, Paul told King Agrippa, “I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 26:14). Are we likewise prepared to tell just how Jesus has woven us into His kingdom?

Last, Paul offered expectations. Do we communicate what we expect hearers to do with this good news? “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22). After he explained, expounded, and expected, “some believed” (Acts 28:24). May every Christian follow Paul’s three-step approach of evangelism modeled in our text. BDT