Acts 28:24

Acts 28:24

In Acts 28:24, Luke records the mixed reception Paul’s message provoked among the Jewish listeners in Rome: “And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.” Coming at the end of Paul’s long imprisonment journey and his multi-year ministry in Rome, this verse distills the perennial human response to God’s revelation. The audience is not monolithic: some are persuaded, some remain skeptical, and some are indifferent. Culturally and historically, Paul is addressing a heritage rooted in covenant promises, synagogue familiarity, and a longing for Messiah. Yet the gospel challenges assumptions, raises questions about ritual righteousness, and calls for a personal response. The split response also reflects a broader pattern in Acts: diverse receptions to the gospel within a complex Greco-Roman world. For Luke, this contrast isn’t surprising; it demonstrates human freedom in relation to divine initiative. The setting—Paul a prisoner in Rome, under Caesar’s gaze—highlights that even when earthly conditions are constrained, the Spirit’s word can fall on varied ground.

This verse crystallizes a core theological truth: response to the gospel is human responsibility integrated with divine sovereignty. God’s message goes forth in power, yet people choose belief or disbelief. It underscores the integrity of human free will within God’s sovereign plan. The phrase “believed the things” signals a faith grounded in the content of the gospel—the person and work of Jesus, the truth of salvation, and the promises of God. It also foreshadows the ongoing tension in Acts between proclamation and reception, between revelation and response. Theologically, it invites us to trust that evangelistic fruit is ultimately God’s work in a responsive human heart. It also anticipates the later Gentile inclusion—some believers among the Jews, many who would remain unbelieving, yet salvation would go forward to all nations.

This verse invites us to discern our own response to God’s word. When you hear Scripture proclaimed, ask: Do I embrace or resist? Faith often begins as a decision, then grows through reading, community, and life experience. Practical steps: (1) Reflect on the core message of the gospel—God’s love, sin’s brokenness, Christ’s death and resurrection, and the call to repentance and faith. (2) Journal your responses to sermons or Bible study; note where belief is stirring and where questions linger. (3) Seek out conversations with trustworthy believers who can help illuminate tough parts. (4) Remember that differing responses in a group don’t negate the truth of the message; let truthful proclamation continue and trust God with the outcomes. (5) If you’re skeptical, bring your questions to God in prayer and pursue honest exploration.

Cross-References: John 3:18; Romans 9:30-33; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Acts 14:4; Acts 17:32