4. Continuing the Journey to Rome in Spring (Acts 28:11-14)
ACTS 28:11-14
11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was “The Twin Brothers.” 12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome.
What a great miracle! God did not allow the ship to break apart during the tempest in the angry sea, nor did he direct her to an unknown, dangerous shore. He lead the wayward ship to the famous island of Malta, where many vessels spent the winter. By the middle of February vessels began again to sail around the world. Paul was not afraid of going on board a vessel having as her figurehead the sons of Zeus, designating the two twin brothers, who were regarded as the patron deities of sailors. The apostle knew that all gods and idols were but vanities and dust. The Lord alone is the Great One. So they traveled to Syracuse, the capital of the island of Sicily, and from there they reached the toe of Italy. From there they continued on, passing by Stromboli, until they arrived at Vesuvius. Thereafter, they came to Puteoli, a seaport near Naples.
There were Christians living as brothers in the faith there. When the apostle came to them, they welcomed him and his many companions, and entertained them one whole week. From this reception we see that Paul was not unknown in Italy. He was known as the ambassador of Christ wherever he went. In this fellowship near Naples it appears that Julius, the centurion, may have become a Christian, for the apostle´s faith, peace of mind, patient love for people, and spiritual power had impressed this officer greatly, such that he was ready to follow the prisoner, and not vice versa. What a great triumph of Christ!
The great company walked from there down the wide road leading to Rome. Luke and Aristarchus did not leave the apostle, but remained faithful to him in the communion of sufferings. With these three believers Christ’s triumphal procession arrived in the then capital of world culture.
PRAYER: We worship You, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the gates of Hades shall not prevail against You. We thank You for keeping Paul and his company, and for Your blessings on all those who were on the ship with them. Keep us in Your name; so that we may become a blessing to many.
5. The Beginning of Paul’s Ministries at Rome (Acts 28:15-31)
ACTS 28:15-16
15 From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage. 16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
Paul was known to the church in Rome. They even knew the details of his thoughts, for he had written to the believers there his most famous epistle, which is, even today, the school of all Christianity. The brothers in Rome were traders, Hellenistic Jews, believing soldiers, and regenerated slaves. After hearing of his coming, they went into motion to welcome Paul and his traveling companions. They walked out to meet and receive them, far from the doors of the great city. Paul took courage, for with the cooperation of this church he had wished, with all his heart, to preach the gospel in all Italy, Spain, and the whole world. Their brotherly welcome appeared to him to be an open door prepared by God. He gave thanks to God for this development, a furthering of the Gospel into the world.
Paul was imprisoned in Rome with kindhearted privileges. He remained, however, chained night and day by the wrist to a soldier who would hear all his words and watch all his behavior. Paul did not preach as a free man, but rather, as a humble prisoner and servant of Christ, to magnify the glory of his Lord through his own weakness.
ACTS 28:17-27
17 It happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation. 20 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” 21 They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people, and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive. 27 For this people’s heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.’
Luke does not tell us anything concerning Paul’s trial at Rome, how he lived there, how he died, almost as if the person of Paul was unimportant to the Gospels´ reaching Rome or for its public proclamation there. The end of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles is not about holy persons, but a record of the procession of the Gospel and the works of Christ throughout the world.
Paul began his ministry, as usual, in the synagogue of the Jews. He invited the chief and prominent Jewish men to his own rented house. He wanted to show them that he was their friend, and not their enemy, even though the highest Jewish Council had complained against him, caused him to be unjustly delivered to the Romans, and demanded he be put to death. Paul testified to his innocence, and that the Romans were prepared to release him. In spite of his trials, he came to Rome neither to take revenge nor to bring his complaint against his countrymen before Caesar, as a Roman citizen. He considered himself to be one with his nation, bound to them in the living hope that Christ, the Messiah, had come from God, bringing salvation and peace. Paul said that because of his faith in Jesus he was bound. He showed them his own chains, as a testimony of his love for them in Christ.
When the Jews in Rome observed the deep religious problems and the political dangers surrounding them concerning the name of Paul, they testified that they had received no complaint against him from Jerusalem, nor had any of them heard anything bad about him in Rome. The ranking Jews in Rome, however, confirmed that Christianity was regarded as both a separation from, as well as an opposition to Judaism everywhere. Thus, the opposition to the Gospel was a proof of the correctness of the accusation. For these reasons the Jews in Rome were pleased that, in the person of Paul, an expert in the Law and a Pharisee of Jerusalem had come to them, one who confessed personally the name of Jesus. In what would be another important meeting they asked him for a further declaration of the truth regarding Christ.
On a set day a large number of Jews came to Paul’s house, and there he explained to them the relationship between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Jesus, who is the Heavenly King. This concept was difficult for them to understand. Some could not believe that the Son of God could become a simple man, and that he had to die on the infamous tree in order that the people of his kingdom could be admitted into communion with God. Without purification by the blood of Christ there is no admittance into the Kingdom of God. The Lord Himself is the Door. He is the Glorious One, who sits at the right hand of the Father, whose glory was concealed on earth, Nevertheless, in His person remained all the potential for His kingdom, the virtue, and the power, which are spread today throughout His church. At the coming of Christ it will be revealed that the kingdom of God is not Israel. Instead, all who believe in Christ, whether of Jewish or Gentile origin, bear this kingdom deep within in their hearts.
Paul did not philosophize, nor did he promote his own pompous thoughts. He proved his Gospel by citing the Law and the Prophets, and explained that the glorious promises concerning Christ were, in truth, God’s comforts apart from the law´s requirements. Faith in Christ, and not the keeping of the imperfect law, saves the sinner and the lost. Some of the Jews listened carefully, becoming well disposed toward the drawing of the Holy Spirit. Others gradually hardened their hearts, and were unwilling to believe. Wherever man does not by love obey the Gospel of salvation, the knowledge and power of God do not grow in him. He develops contrary to the plan of God. He becomes deaf to the gospel of salvation, and is unable to recognize the Savior. Consequently, he becomes antagonistic to Christ. He does not feel the drawing of the gentle Spirit, for from the beginning he rejected the way of guidance, and was unwilling to submit to God. What about you, dear friend? Are you an enemy of God, or a loving, humble Christian?
ACTS 28:28-31
28 Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen.” 29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves. 30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him, 28:31 preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
Paul’s voice sounded like a trumpet sounding the anthem of our new age upon the heads of the divided Jews. God sends his salvation to the Gentiles. The Jewish people had refused the grace of Christ. From now on, the Holy Spirit will open the hearts of all prepared Gentiles - that they may receive new ears to hear the word of God - that they may receive a new power to keep the commandments - that they do not become servants to the law and to its many judgments. They are the children of God, who Christ purchased with his precious blood from the slave market of sin. He sanctifies them with the glory of the eternal Holy Spirit.
Paul served two whole years in Rome, as a teacher, preacher, prophet, and apostle. He did not have the opportunity to appear at large meetings, or preach in the streets and alleys, for night and day he was chained to a soldier. Nevertheless, he could speak to the individuals who visited him, and testifiy to the power of God. Although he was certain that the Holy One was able to loosen his chains with one word, he, nevertheless, bore the chains without complaining, and saw in them a sign of the generosity of his Father.
Paul stayed more than seven hundred days in Rome, proclaiming to many the riches of the grace of Jesus, who had first appeared to him as a living, glorious Lord on the road to Damascus. The apostle did not seek his own glory, nor did he magnify his personal name, which no longer appears in the last verses of the Acts of the Apostles. The apostle to the gentiles had one aim - to glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Without hesitation and boldly he carried out his ministry and Christ opened a wide door before him. No one could prevent him from carrying the message of Christ’s triumph to all who wanted to hear and believe.
How astonishing! We read nothing about the growth and spread of the church in Rome, nor do we find any mention of Peter or other popes, for that would have been a secondary matter. The only important thing was the call of the Gospel, and the sending and arrival of its message into every country of the world. The message was to spread, even if the apostles should die.
It is probable that Theophilus, the prominent Roman official, knew Paul personally while he was in Rome, and helped him during his trial. Also, he asked Luke to compile the Gospel and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, so that he might know more exactly the development of Christianity, from its beginning to its spread into the whole world. That is why Luke did not deem it necessary to write anything about the situation of Paul in Rome, for Theophilus knew him personally.
Dear brother, now that we have come to the end of this serial commentary on the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, and have testified before you of the glory of the living Christ and of His plan of salvation, we put the torch of the Gospel into your hand, and say to you: “Continue the history of the Acts of the Apostles, and carry the Gospel of salvation to your surroundings, so that many may be saved. The living Jesus is calling you, and your Lord is prepared to accompany you. What prevents you from setting out? Do you see Christ’s triumphal procession passing in the midst of your nation? Believe, pray, and rejoice, for your living Lord goes before you and waits for you.
PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we worship you and rejoice, for Your Son reconciled us to You, and the Holy Spirit founded a living church among all peoples at all times. We thank You, for You called us, while we were still sinners, to may become a link in the chain of the acts of the apostles, in order for Your strength to be magnified in our weakness. We believe that Your kingdom is revealed in our surroundings, and that Your will is done in the midst of the disorder of our world. Save many, urge us into actual service, and keep us from the wicked one. Amen.
QUESTION:
- Why did Luke not mention anything about the completion of Paul’s trial or of his death in Rome? What is the anthem of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles?
QUIZ - 8
Dear reader,
Now that you have read our comments on the Acts of the Apostles in this booklet you are able to answer the following questions. If you answer 90% of the questions stated below, we will send you
an advanced knowledge certificate in
the Acts of the Apostles
as an encouragement for your ministry. Please do not forget to clearly include your full name and address on the answer sheet.
- How was Paul transferred to Caesarea? Why?
- What were the three main points in the complaint against Paul? What is the summary of this accusation?
- How and why did Paul prove that the Christian religion is not separated from the Old Testament?
- Which of Paul’s behaviors impressed you most during his imprisonment under the two Roman governors?
- Why did Festus, the governor, not recognize the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection?
- Why do we find in Christ’s meeting with Paul before Damascus the central point of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles?
- What are the seven principles in Christ’s command to preach?
- Who were the three men of God who were together in this voyage to Rome?
- Why was God prepared to save all the men on the ship in spite of their unbelief?
- Name three events in which Christ saved the apostle and his traveling companions?
- What does the snake, which bit Paul, signify? What do you understand from the healings on the island of Malta?
- Why did Luke not mention anything about the completion of Paul’s trial or of his death in Rome? What is the anthem of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles?
We encourage you to complete with us the final examination on the Acts of the Apostles so that you may receive an everlasting treasure from God´s word. We are awaiting your answers and praying for you. Our address is:
Waters of Life
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