NOTES for Act 28:17-31

The book of Acts seems unfinished. We do not know how Paul's last conversation with the Jews ended, and we know the fate of Paul himself only from later tradition (early Christian writers report that he was executed under Emperor Nero, around the year 64). But could this book ever have been finished? Within the Bible, which encompasses the whole history of the world from creation (in Genesis) to the last times (in Revelation), the book of Acts describes the events preceding our own time, after which the Second Coming of Christ is to follow. The final historical book of the New Testament therefore has to limit itself to only a certain, very early segment of Christian history. The continuation of Acts is the entire history of the world from the first century to the very end. You and I are writing this book; as in every book of the Bible, it describes sins and errors—and the victories of the Holy Spirit; its heroes are the Herods and apostles of our own time. We too will have to take our place in this narrative—what role will we choose?