What Changed Since Acts 28?

What Changed Since Acts 28?

Acts 28 is not only the conclusion of Luke’s second book but also the closing of a period in which the Jew had priority. From the beginning of the book of Acts, the Gospel of the circumcision was proclaimed to Israel (Gal. 2:7), calling the people to accept the risen Messiah after all. Had Israel repented in those days, the promise was attached to it that the Messiah would return from heaven, ushering in times “of restoration of all things which God spoke of through the mouth of His holy prophets” (Acts 3:19-21).

In This Time?

At the beginning of the book of Acts, the disciples ask the question: “Lord, dost thou at this time restore the reign to Israel?” (Acts 1:6, YLT). At that time they were told that it was not for them to know the times or seasons which the Father had kept under His own authority. However, at the end of the book of Acts, the answer finally comes. The Twelve in Jerusalem were not given to know, but the thirteenth apostle, Paul, provides clarity in Rome:

And they having been discordant with one another, were going away, Paul having spoken one word – ‘Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers, saying, 26 Go unto this people and say, With hearing ye shall hear, and ye shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and ye shall not perceive, 27 for made gross was the heart of this people, and with the ears they heard heavily, and their eyes they did close, lest they might see with the eyes, and with the ears might hear, and with the heart might understand, and turn back, and I might heal them.‘
– Acts 28:25-27 (YLT)

The Curtain Falls for Israel

The special appeal made to Israel runs like a red thread throughout the book of Acts—until the curtain falls in chapter 28. From that point on, the possibility of Israel’s restoration is excluded. The Kingdom for Israel will not be restored in those days. Israel’s special position is over, and the Gospel of the circumcision, which had been entrusted to Peter and his companions, was no longer in effect.

Was Sent

Immediately following the above passage, Paul makes a highly significant statement:

Be it known, therefore, to you, that to the nations was this salvation of God sent; and they will hear!
– Acts 28:28 (YLT)

Now that Israel’s repentance and restoration are off the table, what remains is the declaration that the salvation of God (which was first sent to the people; Acts 3:26) has now been sent to the nations. Notice: “was sent”, not—as many translations render it—”is sent”, as if God’s salvation only started going to the nations at this moment. Paul is referring to the time when he became an “apostle of the nations” (Rom. 11:13), a turning point significantly marked by his name change (“Saul, who is also called Paul”; Acts 13:9).

Did Paul’s Message Change?

It is not Paul’s message that changed after Acts 28, as some have mistakenly concluded. Many divide Paul’s letters into two groups: those written before and after Acts 28. According to this view, only the later letters remain relevant for us today. However, this dangerous conclusion is based on the misunderstanding that “the Gospel of the uncircumcision”, as taught by Paul, had changed after Acts 28. The opposite is true: Paul declares that “the Gospel of the circumcision” had expired! Since Acts 28, Paul, writing from prison, makes it clear to his readers that “the middle wall of partition” between Jew and Gentile has been broken down (Eph. 2:14). The division between “the two” has belonged to the past ever since.

Paul Never Preached the Gospel of the Circumcision

The book of Acts begins with the exclusive preaching of “the Gospel of the Circumcision”. From Acts 13 onward, Paul joins in, preaching the Gospel of “the Uncircumcision” alongside the existing testimony of ’the Twelve’. This marks a time of two distinct ministries (Gal. 2:1-9). In Acts 28, Paul puts an end to “the Gospel of the Circumcision”, leaving only “the Gospel of the Uncircumcision”.

Paul himself never preached “the Gospel of the Circumcision” to Israel (Acts 13:40-41; 22:18). He preached “the Gospel of the Uncircumcision” (a “Gentile gospel”) to both Jew and Gentile, without distinction. Precisely for this reason, he was viewed with suspicion in Jerusalem, even among James’ followers (Acts 21:20-21). Paul’s thankless task during the Acts period was to inform the Jewish people that the Gospel had been sent to the nations. This ultimately led to his arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 22:21). His declaration in Rome that Israel would not be restored in those days was the final conclusion of this development.

Delen: