Paul In Rome Series

October 30, 2016

Acts of the Apostles

Lesson: IV.G.2: Paul in Rome (Acts 28:16-Acts 28:31)

Acts 28:16-31, KJV

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading a prisoner and chained to a soldier. them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Introduction

This is the final chapter of the first book of the history of the Christian Church. According to the plan given by the risen Lord, we have been following the witnesses as they act in response to the Great Commission by taking the Gospel message to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. Luke tells the story of the rapid growth of this new religion called “Christianity,” as it moves from Jerusalem to Rome; and there he ends. The book is an unfinished fragment, and incomplete, because every person ever born or yet to be born, have a place in the book. The ending has been recorded in Revelation. Jesus will write the last line and place the final period.

We have watched this movement, first through the eyes of Peter, and then through the eyes of the Apostle Paul. We have seen the Church witnessing in Jerusalem; we have seen its failures and its victory. We have followed this wonderful servant of God, this great pioneer missionary on his journeyings, through perils often; and at last we find ourselves in Rome. Now let us see how things developed. But the book is over, and there is no further record. Why not? Because there is nothing else we need to know. Enough was written to reveal the unparalleled power of God, to bring to light the perpetual perils threatening the Church, to furnish instructions, and to provide all that was necessary for the Church to fulfill its mission until Christ returns to establish His kingdom.

Commentary

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

Paul arrived in Rome in the days when she was under an imperial dictatorship. The golden days of the Republic had passed away. Gradually the dictators had usurped the power of the people, and at that moment the city of Rome and the empire were under the tyranny of an emperor, and he was perhaps in some ways the worst of the lot. These were the days of Nero. When Paul arrived in Rome, Nero would not be more than twenty-five years of age; but already his hands were red with the blood of those he murdered. His mother Agrippina, had been murdered about a year before Paul’s arrival; and in all probability, though this cannot be stated with as much certainty, Octavia his wife was also already murdered. Nero occupied the throne of the Caesars, and he was cruel, indecent, and weak.