247. PAUL GOES TO ROME

"For the Hope of Israel I am bound with this chain"

God enabled Paul to reach Rome and to preach in the capital city of the Roman Empire, confirming what Paul had been told by the Lord earlier, that he Paul, must bear witness in Rome of the Gospel concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 23:11). God cared for his servants throughout their journey, because of their obedience to His will, and their demonstration of faith and confidence in Him, even when under great peril.

Acts 28

PAUL AND THE PRISONERS' NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH.

The ship had run aground and as the waves began to break it to pieces, all on board the ship were in danger of drowning. Under the centurion's direction, by swimming or availing themselves of floating wreckage, all safely landed. However, they were exhausted and shivering with cold as the rain and bitter wind lashed them. All they desired, was shelter and warmth.

ON THE ISLAND (verses 1-10).

The island of Melita (known today as Malta) belonged to the Roman Empire, and was ruled by a man named Publius (Acts 28:7). When the shipwrecked company landed, his people showed them much hospitality and kindness, by helping them kindle a fire to keep warm.

Paul, with characteristic energy, took part in collecting some materials for the fire. As he did so, a viper fastened itself onto his hand. The natives being superstitious, at once concluded that he must have been a bad criminal, and though he had just escaped death from shipwreck and near drowning, vengeance from the gods had finally caught up with him and he could not evade it. However, God had protected Paul and He caused the venom to have no effect. Paul shook off the reptile into the fire, and when the people of the island looked on and saw no harm following, they changed their ideas, and concluded that he must be a god.

This miracle led to other cures and a display by Paul of God's power. When the father of Publius was very ill, suffering from a serious bout of dysentry and fever and would have died, Paul prayed to God for power to heal him, laid his hands on him and the man recovered. News of the miracle quickly spread throughout the island, and many others who suffered from various diseases came and were cured.

Paul's kind hearted actions can be a lesson to us all. We cannot do miracles, but we can heed what he wrote to the Ephesians: "Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ch. 4:32).

THE JOURNEY TO ROME CONTINUED (verses 11-15).

The party remained on the island for 3 months and early in the new year, with winter past, they set sail again for Rome, having been supplied with all the necessary provisions from the islanders. The voyage was favourable.

They landed first at Syracuse in Sicily, then touched at Rhegium, the port on the toe of Italy and finally they landed at Puteoli. There the travellers found believers who desired them to stay with them for seven days. It must have been a cheering incident to the Apostle and his two companions. Months had elapsed since they left Caesarea, and the sight and company of other members of the household of faith, even if not known to them personally, must have been a joyful experience. Such are the wonderful bonds that only those baptised can have the privilege of sharing. All over the world are groups of faithful fellow labourers, who though we may never have seen, we can glory together, in the shared hope of life eternal, offered to those who believe and obey the Gospel. At the end of the seven days, during which there would be an opportunity to take part in a meeting for the Breaking of Bread, they renewed the journey to Rome by road. During this time messengers went north to Rome to spread the news of Paul's coming. At Appii Forum (about 70 km from Rome), and at the Three Taverns (55 km from Rome), they were met by some of the brethren from Rome. Paul seems to have been rather depressed, as he journeyed towards Rome. He may have heard of the cruelty of the Emperor Nero, to whom he had appealed, and who was to decide his fate. But when he met the brethren, "he thanked God and took courage!"

PAUL IN ROME (verses 16-31).

Finally they arrived at Rome. Here was to be the great climax of Paul's life, and an opportunity to preach in the capital of the Roman Empire. The deep conviction that he must preach and bear witness to Jesus, had led him on this long journey. He knew there would be additional suffering, and in the end, death. He counted not his own life dear, but looked forward to the glory that would be his in the resurrection from the dead. As he later wrote to Timothy, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

In Rome the other prisoners were delivered to the Praetorian guard, but Paul was allowed to rent a private home. Although a prisoner, guarded by a Roman soldier day and night, he could receive visits from his friends and others (such as Luke, Aristarchus, Timothy, Tychicus, Mark, just to mention a few), and carry out his great work of proclaiming the gospel. The love and sympathy of his fellow brethren and sisters in Rome, were a continuing source of encouragement, and cheered Paul in his captivity. We can take a lesson from Paul's great character; for in whatever situation he was found, he accepted his position, and made the best of it as he said, "I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Phil. 4:11). How hard it is oft-times for us to accept trials that come upon us, but it will ultimately be for our good and the good of the Truth, if we as Paul, remain steadfast and faithful to the end. Though Paul was bound with a chain, yet God's word was not bound and through Paul it even penetrated into the very court of Caesar himself.

After 3 days still acting on the principle of "to the Jew first", Paul called the Jewish leaders together and told them of the circumstances that had brought him to Rome. The Jews in Jerusalem, had accused him of being a trouble maker and an offender, and for this cause he was brought as a prisoner to Rome, having been forced to appeal unto Caesar even though the Romans had found no cause of death in him. Paul had desired to see and to speak with the Jewish leaders in Rome, that they might realise, "for the hope of Israel he was bound with a chain".

The leaders had heard very little of him, but knew something of his "sect", which was everywhere spoken against. A day was appointed in Paul's house, that he might explain what he and this "sect" stood for. Paul's earnestness is seen, as he expounded to the large audience that came to hear him, from morning to evening concerning "the Kingdom of God" with Jesus as its King, both out of the Law of Moses and the Pro­phets. Some believed, and some did not. Paul was able to summarise the reaction of the disbelievers from the prophet Isaiah, who had said, that "Hearing ye shall hear, and not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive". They had hardened their hearts. Refusing to believe themselves, they did their utmost to stop their countrymen believing also (cp. Matt. 23:13).

When the Jews refused the Gospel message, it was opened to the Gentiles, who were willing to hear. During the two years that Paul dwelt in Rome, in his own hired house, he spoke to all who came to him of the "unsearchable riches of Christ", and of the intention of God to include men and women from all races in the family of God. For "unto the Jews were committed the oracles of God" (Rom. 3:2) but "the Gentiles were made fellow-heirs and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ, by the gospel" (Eph. 3:6). As we read these beautiful epistles of Paul (Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians), we would better appreciate their exhortational value if we pictured in our minds the figure of Paul, chained to a Roman guard, writing to his beloved brethren and sisters and earnestly discussing the Hope of Israel.

LESSONS FOR US:

The life of Paul had about it, the mark of true nobility. In situations that made other men quake, he was firm and resolute and when it came to doing the will of God, he did not know fear, counting not his own life dear. Above all he knew that suffering has value in teaching men the need to lean upon God, and thus agreed with Peter who also "accounted that the longsuffering of our God is salvation" and "let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator" (1 Pet. 4:19; 2 Pet. 3:15).

We also will receive help from God to do His will if, like Paul, we have an unswerving confidence in the truth; and always seek the Father's guidance and counsel in our lives. Our faith will become stronger and will show itself in increased activity around the things of God, e.g., a daily interest in reading and talking about the Word of God to other young people within the Truth and to those interested in this precious "Hope of Israel".

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"The Story of the Bible" (H. P. Mansfield)—Vol. 14, pp. 107-119

"Paul the Apostle" (W. H. Boulton)—pp. 199-206

"Elpis Israel" (J. Thomas)—pp. 223-227

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. How did God protect Paul and through him work miracles when Paul was in Melita?

2. Describe the welcome given to Paul by the brethren at Puteoli, the Three Taverns and Appii Forum. What was Paul's response?

3. As the record of Acts closes, what do we find the apostle Paul doing?

ESSAY QUESTIONS:

1. Outline the events that occurred to Paul when shipwrecked on the island of Melita and on his following journey to Rome.

2. Though Paul was imprisoned in Rome, his work did not cease. What did he do whilst in Rome to further the influence of the Gospel?