This final summary statement captures what Acts has set out to prove: that through the fulfillment of the design of Acts 1:8, "repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in [Jesus'] name to all nations" (Lk 24:47). It does so with a simple picture of Paul that stresses the "how" more than the "what" of his witness. For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed (literally, "was welcoming"—iterative or continuous imperfect) all who came (literally, "were coming"—present participle of continuous action) to see him. The gospel continues to be for all. The Christian witness must always welcome seekers, as Paul did.

Luke's literary artistry carries us to an open-ended conclusion. Paul's witness is a combination of continuous preaching and instruction. The distinction is important: preaching appeals to the will, calling for a decision, while teaching informs the mind, requiring growth in knowledge and understanding. But it should not be overemphasized, for as Stott notes, "all Paul's preaching had a doctrinal content, while all his teaching had an evangelistic purpose" (1990:400; Acts 5:42; 15:35; 20:20).

Proclaiming the kingdom of God must always be accompanied by teaching about its Sovereign, the Lord Jesus Christ, and his saving work in his death and resurrection. In this way the whole gospel is covered (Lk 24:46-47).

How did Paul bear witness? With complete freedom. Inwardly, he knew no pressure of fear to conceal or obscure or hesitate about the truth. Rather, boldly (literally, "with all boldness") by the power of the Spirit—candidly, clearly, and confidently—he was preaching and teaching (Acts 2:29; 4:13, 29-31; 9:27; 13:46; 14:3; 19:8; 26:26). Paul's prison epistles from this period mention serious adversaries and ask for prayer that he might be bold (Eph 6:19-20; Phil 1:15-20). If even Paul had to ask for prayer for boldness, there is hope for the rest of us.

The outward freedom Paul knew is framed by the very last word of Acts: akolytos, "unhindered." This shows the Roman government's attitude toward Christianity: it did not pose such a threat to either the civil order or the Roman way of life that one of its advocates would have to be muzzled during house arrest. This should strongly commend the faith to Roman inquirers.

But more than government tolerance, this term points to a sovereign God whose saving plan—that the gospel will be preached in Jesus' name to all nations—will not be thwarted. Though there may be incarceration, the Word of God is not bound. Luke has fully demonstrated that the implementation/application portion of the salvation message is indeed true (Lk 1:4; 24:47). And if his readers in any day embrace that message, they will soon find themselves embodying it, proclaiming repentance to the forgiveness of sins in his name to all the nations "with all boldness, unhindered." So may it be till Jesus comes.