Les Feldick Bible Study

What did Paul do with the Jewish leaders in Rome at the end of Acts?

At the close of Acts, Paul, imprisoned in Rome, called the Jewish leaders there to meet with him. He reviewed how all Old Testament covenant promises had been presented to Israel, but they rejected them by crucifying their Messiah. They departed in discord and disagreement, and Paul declared God's salvation was sent to the Gentiles.

Les explains that by Acts 28 Paul had finished his missionary journeys and was now in prison in Rome. He called for the Jewish leaders in Rome to meet with him and went over the Old Testament covenant promises again—how they had been presented to Israel, but Israel rejected them when they crucified their Messiah. The leaders left in discord and disagreement and could not believe. Paul then announced that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it. Les notes this does not mean all will be saved, but they will hear, and Scripture shows they have, leaving the world without excuse. This marks a shift: now the calling into the body of Christ is predominantly Gentiles, with Jewish exceptions—a complete flip-flop from Jew only with some Gentile exceptions to Gentiles with some exceptional Jews coming in.