These are the final two verses in the book of Acts. We read of Paul's continued activity of sharing the gospel with all who would listen.
I love the way this book ends. The gospel is flowing forth unhindered.
From the beginning of Acts, in which we see Jesus tell His followers that through the power of the Holy Spirit they will be His witnesses to the ends of the earth, to the end we read of the glorious gospel of Christ being proclaimed again and again to people who have never heard it. Nothing can stop this good news.
At the very end of the book we are reminded of this. Luke selects an adverb to be the last word of his two part book (Luke-Acts). That adverb is translated in various ways (unhindered, without hindrance, unforbidden), but in the end the meaning is that the gospel could not be stopped.
Part of the meaning in that particular context was that no one was trying to stop Paul's proclamation. However, there seems to be more to it than that. We sense that the gospel is such a powerful message that it breaks the bonds of even those who might make an attempt at blocking its flowing forth. The good news is just too good to stop.
It appears that the only thing that stops the gospel is if the church is not zealous in sharing it. We read in Romans 10 that preachers/proclaimers are necessary for people to hear. There must be a sounding forth from believers.
Sometimes when I look at the numbers of lost it seems overwhelming. Sites like Joshua Project are wonderful, but at times the job just seems too big. Then I remember that the Holy Spirit is in charge, not me. He empowers and makes things happen. Our duty is simply to be obedient.
I also try to remember the last word from Acts - unhindered. The gospel is not simply good news. It is the only truly good news in this world. Because it is of God, it has a power that supersedes what we can even imagine. We've been charged with heralding this message. Let us see that it continues unhindered.
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