There is a significant invisible dividing line in Scripture that presents a major paradigm shift in divine doctrine. The national salvation of God that was before a limited privilege of the Jews has now been authorized to any individual in any nation of the earth. John’s Gospel was hereby authorized as the eternal-life-giving message to “whosoever”. Paul was thereafter inspired to write seven more epistles concerning a new revelation from God. There are several other great significances of this verse in the purpose of God.

Jesus and His twelve disciples had a specific gospel and audience. The audience was the “lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 10:16, 15:24). The gospel was the kingdom gospel for Israel (Matt 4:17, 4:23). The New Covenant was to be the salvation and restoration of Israel by a promised Messiah. But the message was rejected and the Messenger was crucified. There were no Gentiles in the picture at this time. The focus was on Israel and their hope of a restored kingdom on earth,

The Acts period was the answer to the request (prayer) of the dying Jesus on the cross. The Acts period represents a 35-year period wherein the Jews were given a chance to repent and to obey the message and acknowledge the Messenger as Messiah. The apostles literally thought that Christ would return in their lifetime to restore the kingdom to Israel. Their epistles written during this time period represent this hope and the urgency to convert Israel so that this could happen. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit with special gifts as witnesses unto Jerusalem and all Judaea. The Jews enjoyed a priority status with God.

Even Saul (Paul) was converted and appointed to present this hope to Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel by means of a gospel of grace. For 18 years Israel’s hope was also offered to some Gentiles in order to provoke Israel to jealousy. But the Jews also rejected Paul and his gospel of grace by having him arrested and imprisoned. At the time Paul reached Rome and was under house arrest at the end of Acts, Israel failed to repent and obey. This is the third rejection by the biblical nation of Israel.

The nation of Israel rejected the reign of God over them (1 Sam 8:7), Jesus Christ as their king and Messiah (John 19:15), and the Acts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 28:25). Accordingly, three times Israel was pronounced “blind, deaf, and ignorant”. (Isa 6:9-10, Matt 13:14-15, Acts 28:26-27). Satan thought that he had foiled God’s plan; but God had a hidden secret to be revealed.

God made a very significant proclamation with many ramifications in Acts 28:28 through the words of the apostle Paul:

“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”

1. God authorized a salvation message to all people of all nations apart from any attachment to Israel.

2. God revoked the priority status of the Jews that was prominent throughout the Gospels and Acts periods.

3. God invoked the Lo-Ammi condition to Israel as a nation (Hosea 1:9, 3:4, 6:2).

4. God suspended His dealings with Israel in all aspects.

5. God silenced all appeals to the writings of Moses and the Prophets as a witness.

6. God withdrew the Spiritual gifts (signs) He bestowed upon the apostles.

7. God postponed the “great commission” of Matthew 28:19-20.

8. God postponed the return of Christ (prophesied by Daniel to occur in A.D. 85).

9. God postponed the fulfilling of the Abrahamic, Davidic, and the New Covenant.

10. God postponed the fulfilling of Daniel’s prophecy of the Seventy Weeks of Years (No. 8).

We know these things because of:

A. What was written and omitted in Paul’s seven epistles written after the Acts period ended.

B. What did happen after the Acts period ended (e.g. the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D.).

C. What did not happen after the Acts period ended (e.g. Christ did not return in their lifetime).

Acts 28:28 also divides:

Paul’s seven Acts epistles and his seven post-Acts epistles.
The two ministries of Paul: one during the Acts period and another after the Acts period.