First thread - will do my best to explain my points best I can 
Paul is a great example of how we should minister to others of the good news! My main takeaway recently has been we are called by God to not only proclaim it, but also actively persuade all people of the truth. I'm convinced I should never "give up" on anyone.
To me Acts 28 shows:
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29] Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
Paul is a great example of how we should minister to others of the good news! My main takeaway recently has been we are called by God to not only proclaim it, but also actively persuade all people of the truth. I'm convinced I should never "give up" on anyone.
To me Acts 28 shows:
- Paul spoke to them [Jewish leaders] morning till evening - all day! {23}
- He "tried to persuade them about Jesus" {23}
- Paul shows he is trying to save / win over ALL of them {23}
- Some were convinced but others would not believe; does not say [could not] {24}
- There were disagreements among themselves; there was confrontation between them {25}
- Paul was still trying to convince them as they were trying to leave {25, 29}
- Paul’s final statement shows some in Israel remained in rebellious stubbornness - they had became like this, not from birth due to Adam {27}
- Paul shows the Gods salvation was sent to the Gentiles and they “will listen”; being more amendable {28}
- Paul stayed for two years and welcome all who came to see him {30}
- Paul proclaimed and taught with boldness and without hindrance {30}
- God wants all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9)
- They [Israel] had closed their eyes and cover their hears; even in their rebellious stubbornness God sought them (Luke 13:34)
- God used Israel’s rebellious stubbornness / self-righteousness for redemptive purposes (Romans 9:30-32, Colossians 1:20, Romans 11:11)
- Jesus kept His Messianic identity hidden from the Jews (Mark 9:9, Matthew 17:9)
- Jesus came to earth through humble means
- Jesus spoke to Israel during that period in history in parables least they believe and His work not be finished
- Jesus told those He healed to keep quiet (Luke 5:14)
- Jesus withdrew as needed to not fully reveal Himself (Luke 5:15-16)
- He revealed His identity to His apostles and those humble in heart (Matthew 17:1-2, Matthew 13:11, 13:16-17)
- God allowed the Jews to remain in their stubbornness so He could reconcile himself to the world through Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:20)
- Had Israel believed he was the Messiah the crucifixion would not happen
- With His work finished He commissioned us to spread the good news to all creation, that whoever believes will be saved (Matthew 28:16, Mark 16:14–18)
- Even though there are those in Israel who do not believe Paul still prays for them (Romans 9:2, Romans 10:10), that they may believe (Romans 11:11-12; 11:23-24)
17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.
23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29] Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves
30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
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