125. PAUL IN ROME

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

Aim

To show how the apostle Paul continued to preach the Truth no matter what difficulties he was faced with.

The long and dangerous journey to Rome was over and Paul now entered the city, thankful to God for the company of brethren and sisters who had met and encouraged him,. Now he was to be given the wonderful opportunity of preaching the Gospel in the capital city of the Roman Empire. Although he was a prisoner in chains and he knew that further suffering awaited him, yet he rejoiced that he was a "chosen vessel" to bear the Gospel to many people.

The centurion who had been in charge of the prisoners on the journey to Rome, delivered them, to the captain of the guard. The other prisoners would have been put in prison, but Paul was granted the great privilege of having his own hired house. A soldier was appointed to guard him, (v. 16), and no doubt he was still bound with a chain to make sure that he did not escape.

Acts 28:16-31

PAUL PREACHES THE GOSPEL IN ROME (vv. 16-31)

Even though Paul himself was a prisoner, the Truth still had to be spread. If Paul could not take the Gospel to the Jews, then he would invite the Jews to come to him to hear it. Three days after his arrival in Rome, he called the Chief Jews to his house and explained to them why he was a prisoner in Rome. He pointed out that "for the Hope of Israel I am bound with this chain" (v. 20).

The Jews said to Paul that they had not heard of any charges made against him. They would like to come and hear why he had been imprisoned by the Jews. A day was appointed and many once again gathered to hear Paul. He reasoned with them "from morning till evening" from the Old Testament Scriptures, speaking of the wonderful promises concerning the coming Kingdom of God and showing that salvation could only come through faith in Jesus Christ (v. 23).

Some believed the things that Paul spoke, others shut their ears and hardened their hearts. When it was clear that some would not listen he pointed out that Isaiah had prophesied of people like them who would not understand the things concerning Jesus (vv. 25-27); cp. Isa 6:9-10). Because so many Jews would not believe, he would turn to the Gentiles, so that they could hear the good news of salvation. He turned to the hard-hearted Jews and said, "Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it" (v. 28).

Paul dwelt for two whole years in Rome and preached the "good news" of the coming Kingdom of God and the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. He spoke to as many as came to hear him "with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (v. 31).

LESSON FOR US

The life of Paul was the life of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. In situations that made other men tremble he was firm and calm - and when it came to doing the will of God, he did not hesitate because of fear. Above all, he knew that suffering teaches men the need to lean upon God. Remember what he said - "We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God." We may never match the work of Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, the Lord's "chosen vessel", but we will receive help from God to do His will if, like Paul, we remain firm in the Truth and always seek God's guidance in our lives.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Although we have come to the end of The Acts of the Apostles, the work of Paul did not finish here. He continued to preach and to write letters to strengthen and exhort the believers who lived in the cities of the Roman Empire. For example, he wrote to the ecclesia at Philippi, to those at Ephesus and to those at Colosse. In addition, the apostle continued to preach to all who would listen. Paul even converted some of the servants of Caesar's household (Phil. 4:22). He had a group of loyal friends who were often with him. They shared with him the same glorious hope and supported Paul as he gave help and advice to all who came to him.

Paul was eventually released from Rome. He continued preaching throughout the Roman Empire. Finally the authorities took him into custody again and imprisoned him in Rome. This time he was not to be released. In some of the last words he wrote, he said to his faithful friend Timothy, "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand". By this he meant that he would soon die for the things he believed. Yet he was not sad, for he went on to say, "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. 4:6-8).

Paul knew that he would receive the Crown of Life, that is, immortality, when Jesus Christ returned. Let us follow the example of Paul, looking forward to the coming of Christ and being prepared to meet him. Remember what he once said to the believers in Corinth, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

1. Where did Paul live when he arrived in Rome?

2. Whom did he speak to first about the Gospel after his arrival?

3. What was "the Hope" that he spoke about?

4. Did everyone who heard the Gospel believe Paul?

5. Who did Paul say would gladly hear the Gospel?

6. What did Paul learn from, his suffering?

Detailed Answers

7. (a) Tell what the apostle Paul did in Rome for two years.

(b) What sort of people came to hear him,?

Additional Answers

8. (a) What else did Paul do while he was imprisoned in Rome?

(b) In his second letter to Timothy, what did he say he was looking forward to?

PAUL € S THIRD

JOURNEY