Paul At Rome Series

Acts 28: 1-31 Paul reaches Rome with Gospel

Acts 28:1-10 Paul at Malta.

The people of Malta Island believed that God punishes the sinners and rewards the righteous. They thought Paul was murder because the ship carried the prisoners. They perceived that God sent a viper to bite Paul and punish him to death. The divine judge chases the wicked, takes revenge on them even if they hide in the utmost part of the universe. Nothing happens by chance, but everything is ordained and ordered by the divine supervisor. Mostly this is the ideology and principle of the people on earth. But, that is not true as per the Bible. It was the struggle of the friends of Job too! God used the opportunity to reach the Malta Islanders with the Gospel. There was a sudden change in their attitude towards Paul. They treated him like a god, and they honoured him. Paul preached the Gospel and reached the Islanders with Christ and filled it with the message of Jesus Christ.

Acts 28:11-16 Paul arrived at Rome.

After three months stay in Malta, they travelled to Syracuse. It was the capital city of Sicily. Paul had to travel by an Alexandrian ship that had the figurehead of twin gods of Castor and Pollux. After three days of stay at Syracuse, they further had voyaged to Rhegium. Then they reached Puteoli. Paul and the others made their way northward up the Italian peninsula. Paul had gone out to meet believers and spent time with them. They honoured Paul by greeting him as the emperors greeted when they arrived at Rome. The believers of that place went out to meet him as he came into the city, walking the long journey (about 43 miles or 69 kilometres) to the Appius Forum to welcome Paul and his companions. Paul arrived in Rome and was allowed to stay at a rented house till he appeared before the emperor. Paul stayed with state honour of having a soldier appointed to guard him. He was a prisoner but at the same time with relaxation.

Acts 28:17-31 End of Paul.

Jews who lived in Rome met Paul. They discussed his purpose in coming to Rome. The Jewish leaders informed Paul that they did not receive any adverse reports on him from Judea. So, they wanted to hear from him about Jesus. Paul seized the opportunity and preached the Gospel to all Jews in Rome. There was a mixed reaction to the preaching of Paul. Though Paul could not travel, he could teach and preach to all who came to him. He wrote letters to the Ephesians, the Philippians, and the Colossians during those two years of incarceration.

Paul eventually had his appearance before Caesar Nero as God had promised (Acts 9:15 and 23:11). He might have declared with courage about Christ to Nero, the emperor, though we miss that record. Luke did not record Paul’s appearance before Caesar because some believe that the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts were written to give the Roman court the background and facts of Paul’s case in his trial before Caesar. According to early church history, Paul was acquitted and freed for another five years. Then he was arrested, imprisoned, condemned, and executed in Rome at the command of Nero in A.D. 66 or 67.

Discussion:

1. Share your experience with the Book of Acts.

2. Say one memorable lesson you have learned from the book of Acts.

3. Tell the spiritual growth after studying the book of Acts.

(For further studies on Book of the Acts, Kindly refer to this site)