The world is searching for hope. Politicians promise reform, scientists search for answers, and self-help gurus promise inner peace—but none of these offer lasting hope. The only true hope for humanity is found in Jesus Christ. This truth is not a recent invention, nor is it confined to the New Testament. From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal a single, unified story of redemption that points to Christ as the hope of the world.
In Acts 28, we find the Apostle Paul in Rome under house arrest. Yet instead of despairing, he spent his time teaching and proclaiming Jesus “from morning till evening” (Acts 28:23). His source material? The Law of Moses and the Prophets—the Old Testament. Paul’s example reminds us that the gospel is the fulfillment of God’s promises in the Old Testament and that both Jews and Gentiles are invited to find their hope in Christ.
Today, many voices—even within the church—dismiss the Old Testament as outdated or irrelevant. But this is a dangerous deception. If Jesus and Paul taught from the Old Testament, then we too must embrace the full counsel of God’s Word. To reject it is to cut ourselves off from the very foundation of the gospel.
Jesus and Paul Taught from the Old Testament
Some modern teachers argue that Christians should focus only on the New Testament. They claim the Old Testament is no longer necessary for the church. But Scripture tells a different story.
- Jesus Himself taught from the Old Testament. On the road to Emmaus, the resurrected Christ rebuked two discouraged disciples, saying: “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25). Then, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27). Jesus didn’t dismiss the Old Testament—He used it to reveal Himself as the promised Messiah.
- Paul followed the same example. In Acts 28:23, Paul testified to the kingdom of God and sought to persuade his audience “concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.” He didn’t rely on clever arguments or cultural trends. He rooted his teaching in the Old Testament Scriptures.
If our Lord and the great apostle to the Gentiles used the Old Testament as the basis of their teaching, then so must we. Any teacher who tells you otherwise is not proclaiming truth but acting as a false prophet.
The Old Testament Points Us to Christ
The Old Testament is not just a collection of ancient stories. Every page anticipates the coming of Christ.
- The sacrifices in Leviticus foreshadow the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
- The prophecies of Isaiah foretell the suffering servant who would bear the sins of many.
- Jeremiah calls the Lord “the hope of Israel” (Jeremiah 17:13), pointing to the Messiah who alone can bring salvation.
To ignore the Old Testament is to miss the foundation upon which the gospel is built. It is the lens that helps us see the full beauty of Christ’s work. In the Old Testament, God calls His people to look forward to the coming Messiah. In the New Testament, He calls us to look back at the cross and resurrection. Together, both testaments reveal the eternal plan of God to redeem humanity through Jesus.
The Gospel: Hope for Both Jews and Gentiles
When Paul addressed the Jewish leaders in Rome, he emphasized that Jesus is the hope of Israel. But many resisted his message. Some were persuaded, but others disbelieved (Acts 28:24).
Paul, quoting Isaiah, reminded them that spiritual blindness had hardened many hearts. Then he declared boldly: “Let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it” (Acts 28:28).
This was not a rejection of Israel but the fulfillment of God’s global plan of salvation. From the very beginning, God’s promise to Abraham was that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). The gospel is not limited to one nation or people group. It is the power of God unto salvation “to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
Today, the church continues Paul’s mission. The hope of Christ is not bound by ethnicity, culture, or geography. It is a universal hope for all who believe.
Why People Reject the Gospel
If the gospel is such good news, why do so many reject it? Paul’s experience in Acts 28 shows us the reality: even when the message is explained clearly and faithfully, some hearts remain hard.
Here are four common reasons people reject Jesus:
- They don’t see their need for a Savior. Many believe they are “good enough.” They don’t understand that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Without recognizing their sin, they see no need for forgiveness.
- They fear rejection from others. John 12:43 says of many leaders in Jesus’ day: “They loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” The same is true today—some refuse Christ because they want the approval of peers.
- They cling to the world. Like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19, some love their possessions, status, or lifestyle more than eternal life.
- They resist the Holy Spirit. Acts 7:51 warns against those who “always resist the Holy Spirit.” Repeated rejection of His conviction leads to a hardened heart.
But here’s the encouragement: the Word of God never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). Every time the gospel is proclaimed, it either softens hearts to salvation or hardens them in rejection—but it never leaves people unchanged.
Our Role in God’s Mission
Acts does not end with a neat conclusion. Luke doesn’t tell us how Paul’s trial before Caesar ended. Instead, he leaves the story open-ended—“to be continued.” Why? Because the mission of the gospel was never meant to end with Paul. It continues through us.
Paul spent two years under house arrest, yet the Bible says he “received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him” (Acts 28:30–31).
Paul made the most of every opportunity. He didn’t complain—he proclaimed. He didn’t waste his circumstances—he used them to advance the gospel. And we are called to do the same.
Today, the story of Acts continues through the church. We are the sequel. We are the “to be continued.” Every believer is part of God’s ongoing mission to proclaim Christ to the world.
The Gospel Triumphs Over Every Barrier
Paul’s example also shows us that the gospel cannot be stopped. Governments may try to silence it. Cultures may mock it. False teachers may distort it. But the Word of God will always prevail.
In Rome, Paul preached freely despite his chains. Today, believers around the world continue to proclaim Christ under persecution, hardship, and even imprisonment. The gospel overcomes every barrier because it is not the word of man but the Word of God.
As Jesus Himself declared: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
Christ Is Our Only Hope
The hope of humanity is not found in governments, wealth, education, or even religion. It is found in the person of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament points us to Him. The New Testament reveals Him. And the church today must proclaim Him.
Don’t be deceived by false teachers who dismiss God’s Word. Don’t be distracted by the fleeting promises of the world. Look to Christ—the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Join Us at The Open Door Church
At The Open Door Church, we believe in preaching the full counsel of God’s Word because all of Scripture points us to Jesus, the hope of humanity.
If you are searching for truth, longing for hope, or simply curious about what the Bible really teaches, we invite you to join us this Sunday. Come and experience Christ-centered worship, verse-by-verse preaching, and a community of believers committed to following Jesus together.
Plan your visit today and discover the hope that only Christ can bring.