Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 28:23. It's a really important passage about how Paul started to share his faith with people. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Paul was busy teaching and explaining the good news of Jesus. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And when they had appointed him a day…” – This suggests that Paul wasn't just casually sharing his beliefs; he was carefully planning to do so. He was setting himself up for something important. “…there came many to him into [his] lodging.” - "Lodging" refers to his temporary place where he was staying while traveling. So, people were coming to him – meaning they were seeking out his message. “To whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God…” – This is the core of the verse. “Kingdom of God” means a special time when God rules with peace and justice. Paul was explaining this concept, which is about God’s will and purpose for the world. He was giving people a glimpse into what God wants to happen. “persuing them concerning Jesus…” – He wasn't just talking about Jesus; he was actively trying to convince people that Jesus was important. “…both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets…” – This means Paul used different ways to teach about Jesus: The Law of Moses: This is the set of rules and teachings given to the Israelites by God before they left Egypt. It’s about obedience and justice. The Prophets: These were people who spoke out about God's message, often through stories and visions. “from morning till evening.” – This emphasizes that he was teaching and explaining this message continuously for a long time – all day and all night. It shows his dedication to sharing his truth. In short, Paul was deliberately inviting people to learn about Jesus by explaining the important ideas of the Bible – both the rules God gave them and the stories and teachings of those who came before. Why is this significant? This verse shows that Paul wasn't just a lone preacher. He understood that sharing his faith was crucial, and he actively worked to connect with people through his teachings. It’s a powerful example of how spreading good news can have a huge impact on the world. --- Would you like me to explain any of these parts in more detail? For example, we could delve deeper into: The meaning of "kingdom of God" What the prophets were teaching about Jesus?