ACTS CH.27-28 PAUL SAILS TO ROME WHAT WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT Tonight as we finish our study in Acts, we are going to see that Paul finally makes his way to Rome. The key verse for these last two chapters is found in verse 11 of chapter 23; where the Lord Jesus came to Paul after his arrest in Jerusalem and said: Acts Ch.23:11 (New King James Version) 11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome. God tells Paul My plan for your life includes you going to Rome to testify of Me, just as you have already done here in Jerusalem. We looked at this verse when we studied chapter 23 and pointed out how Jesus met Paul at his point of need, when he was quite possibly at his lowest of lows emotionally speaking; having come to Jerusalem to preach the gospel to his countrymen. Something he had wanted to do for the last 20 years. And now that he has done it, and has been rejected by his brethren and arrested by the Roman government, we find him in a cell most likely wondering to himself why he had to be so head strong and whether or not he would ever be able to be used by God again. And Jesus comes to him the next night while he is alone and stands beside him and encourages him not to be afraid, and then tells him that his ministry for the Lord is not yet complete. Jesus tells him that just as he had delivered the gospel to the Jews in Jerusalem that he was going to go to Rome and do the same. He does not give Paul all the details as to how he was going to get there, only the promise that it was going to happen. And we find as we study the last several chapters of Acts that it took somewhere between 2 and 3 years for this promise to come to fruition. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 1
HOW IT APPLIES TO ME / WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? I look at chapters 27 and 28 as needed instruction and a reminder on the will of God. Contrary to what we may think, the reality of the situation is this: The will of God for our lives will include storms, shipwrecks, and snakebites. But in all of it God is faithful in His promises, and he is using whatever the situation may be for His eternal purposes. Our focus and attention therefore should not be on the circumstance we find ourselves in or going through but instead on the One who has promised in His word that He would never leave us nor forsake us. (Heb.13:5) God has a plan for all of our lives, He has prepared a specific path for us to follow, He has created us in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand that we might walk in them. (Eph.2:10) Like Paul, I cannot allow the storms in life, the shipwrecks, or even the snakebites to distract me. My focus and attention must be on God and I will cling to His promises, and rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit to sustain me in the midst of whatever I go through. Jesus told us ahead of time that we will face difficulties as we live out our lives in this world, to quote an old Lynn Anderson song: He never promised you a rose garden. But he did promise: John Ch.16:33 (New Living Translation) 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. ACTS CH.27:1-8 PAUL SAILS FOR ROME And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. Julius is a centurion which means he was in charge of 100 soldiers, a being from the Augustan Regiment meant he was a part of the Roman Army that was in charge of protecting Caesar, he was like a cross between a Navy Seal and a Secret Service agent today. This guy was all business. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 2
2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. I think it is interesting and it s also consistent to see that the Roman Centurions are spoken favorably throughout scripture. (Matthew Ch.8, Luke Ch.11, and Acts Ch.8) Julius is no exception. Luke goes out of his way to point out that he was kind towards Paul. He gave Paul liberties typically not extended towards prisoners, which in itself is interesting because he had only met Paul just the day before. Perhaps the fact that both Festus and Agrippa had acknowledged that Paul had done nothing wrong against Roman authority had something to do with it. Perhaps there was something in Paul s character that gave Julius absolute confidence that he was not going to try and escape. 4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. Since the first the ship they boarded was not going to Italy, they took it as far as they could go which was Lycia, notice also that the winds were contrary which means they were not blowing in their favor so it took more time than usual from Sidon to Lycia. This is going create problems for their journey as we see in a minute. The Alexandrian ship was from Egypt which was the bread basket for the Roman Empire, much like the central valley here in California is for the rest of the country. So there were many ships that were making regular trips from Egypt to Italy to deliver grain. Julius finds one of these ships heading to Italy and has Paul and the rest of the prisoners put on board. 7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 3
As Luke mentioned about the winds not being favorable getting from Sidon to Lycia, they are have more problems with the weather, and he says it was with great difficulty that they arrived in Fair Havens. ACTS CH.27:9-12 PAUL SAILS FOR ROME 9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, So to give you a sense of time of what s happening here in chapters 27-28; these guys left Caesarea for their trip to Rome in late August. They will not arrive in Rome until March of the following year. Because they landed where they have landed and spent much time there, it is now getting into the fall time of the year and sailing on the Mediterranean Sea was especially dangerous. Paul knows this Paul advised them, 10 saying, Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. So on the one hand you have the helmsman, the professional sailors and the owner of the ship telling you that it is going to be alright to sail and on the other hand you have Paul the prisoner putting his two cents in that this is a bad idea. Paul was not a professional seaman like the rest, but he does write in 1 st Corinthians Ch.11 that he had been shipwrecked three times and could tell from the weather change that this was a bad idea. Julius knew the sailing season was just about over for the year, but he also understood they could not stay in this port for the winter. There was not the proper protection for ships this large to winter in the port of Fair Havens, as soon as the winds changed there was a good chance a ship like this would be pushed right into the rocks of the shoreline. There is also not enough supplies in a small port like this to accommodate a crew of this size; verse 37 tells us there were 276 people on the ship, I think Julius sized up the situation and sided with the crew, they needed to try and get to a larger port and winter there. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 4
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. So the matter was put to a vote and the majority chose to set sail. Their hopes was they could reach the port in Crete, only about 40 miles away and a much better place for both the ship and the people aboard to wait out the winter before sailing onto Rome. The trip from Fair Havens to Crete should have only taken a few hours under normal conditions but as we are going to see in a moment these conditions were anything but normal. ACTS CH.27:13-38 IN THE TEMPEST 13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. When the winds blew softly Isn t that the way it always seems to be when we at first fail to heed the word of the Lord. We make a management decision about what we want to do that goes against the wise counsel of the Lord. At first there does not seem to be any problems with the choice that was made, in fact a lot of times it appears that the choice that was made works out fine, only to find out that once you have committed and crossed the line of no return you find out that it was not only a poor choice but that there are consequences and a lot of times collateral damage as a result of your choices. This south wind that blew softly that the sailors took as a good omen of their decision to set sail towards Crete turns out to be disastrous. It is now recognized in that part of the world that a gentle breeze from the south is the forerunner of a typhoon, which is exactly what these guys are running into. We Luke says in verse 15 We let her drive basically what he was saying was that the storm was so severe that the crew could direct the ship, as seasoned sailors as they were, so they just let go and let the storm take them where ever it was going. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 5
16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. This skiff or dingy as some translations call it was a small boat used by the crew not only as a lifeboat in emergency, but it was also used to move back and forth from the ship to the land whenever they came into a port or harbor for supplies and a little rest and relaxation. However as fierce as this storm had become the boat was starting to look like a cork bobbing up and down in the ways and was probably starting to take on water, and this would be a significant piece of equipment to lose, so with great difficulty they hoisted up onto the ship and secured it. Then they took cables and wrapped them around the belly of the ship in order to try and help keep things together, this was a violent storm and everyone knew they were in some serious trouble. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. For three days and three nights these guys were in the teeth of this storm, Luke describes it as exceedingly tempest-tossed I m not sure what that means but by looking at what these guys were doing to try and stay alive, I m guessing this was pretty intense. And after many days, so now we have moved well past just the three days of trying everything in their own strength to survive by lightening their load and throwing all of the ships tackle overboard; now they been in the midst of this storm for many days. The reality of the situation is starting to sink in and the end result is that the crew has begun to give up any hope of being saved. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 6
What they needed was a little encouragement; enter Paul: 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. I don t think this was an I told you so kind of moment that all of us have probably said at some point in our lives; but instead I think Paul is trying to get these guys to listen to him for what he is about to say. And he tries to frame his counsel by reminding them that if they would have heeded him the first time, they would not be in the position they are now. Again right now in their minds; all 270 plus people on board, all hope is lost. Trying to bring some personal application into this: 1) It s never safe to ignore Gods warnings. When Paul forecasted disaster, he spoke as an oracle of God. Wise men would have listened. 2) The crew on this stricken vessel did all they could in their own strength to bring the ship through the storm, but their efforts were fruitless. Apart from God I too am powerless. At what point in my maturity as a Christian will I finally realize that I don t have to wait until I have tried everything in my own strength, I don t have to lose all hope, God is willing and able, and waiting for me to turn my attention back to Him, so that He can lead me through the storm. (Psalm 23) 3) Which leads me to my third point in making personal application of this: As long as God continues to speak, no situation is hopeless. Paul reaffirms his position with the crew, if you would have listened to me in the beginning we would not be in this mess; if you listen to me now God will lead us out of it. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you. 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 7
Paul s confidence was on the promises of God, and His faithfulness to His own word. Likewise God has given us over 7000 promises in scripture, and fulfilled prophecy with 100% accuracy to affirm to us that he is indeed faithful to keep His promises concerning you and I as well. It is also interesting to point out that Paul mentions that they must run aground on a certain island. Think about it, if there would have been nothing but smooth sailing from Fair Havens to Crete and the ship didn t run aground in Malta, Paul would have never had the chance to share the gospel and radically change the course of the inhabitants on that island. This was the purpose of the storm. So often in the midst of the storms of life we find ourselves going through, we often ask ourselves why? We have to remember that there is a purpose in everything we experience in life; we may not always know the answer on this side of eternity. 27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. At this point in time there are no atheists on board everyone is praying for daylight. Paul s reassuring message seemed to have partially restored the confidence of the crew, but I think after 14 days in this storm they were aware that nothing short of a miracle was going to save them from a watery grave. You can only imagine the noises this ship was making at this point in time, I m sure it was pretty much coming apart at the seams. Now that the hurricane is starting to lighten up the sailors he a new sound of water breaking on the reefs, no longer do they seem concerned about the ship breaking up at sea they are now afraid they are going to run aground and be slammed into the rocks of the reef Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 8
30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved. 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off. Paul knew if these experienced sailors abandoned ship the rest of the people didn t have a chance of surviving, so summing up the situation he warns Julius about what the crew is up to and he has the soldiers cut away the ropes that are securing the skiff. Notice Paul says you not we can t be saved if the crew abandons ship because he knows regardless of what happens he is going to Rome. 33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you. 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. ACTS CH.27:39-44 SHIPWRECKED ON MALTA 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile losing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 9
This was the Roman way, we see several examples of this in the bible, when a Roman soldier was put in charge of a prisoner, if that prisoner escaped the soldier was responsible pay whatever was lacking in the sentence, whether it was time in jail or death. So when the soldiers size up the situation they figured it would just be easier to kill all of the prisoners instead of trying to keep track of them. But Julius was a noble man and because he had command over the soldiers he was able to stop the plot before it happened. Just as God had shown Paul, everyone arrived on shore safely, God didn t say how it was going to happen or that it would be easy, He promise was that not one person would lose their life. ACTS CH.28:1-10 PAUL S MINISTRY ON MALTA 1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. Try and put yourself in Paul s place, you have just gone through a 14 day storm on a raging sea being tossed around like a cork on water, the ship runs a ground and you swim to shore. It is still raining hard your wet and cold and totally exhausted. You re not even on shore for an hour, and you are trying and help others by gathering some wood for a fire so people can begin to warm themselves and you get bite by a poisonous snake. It s when the trials in life start stacking up on each other, that things can get overwhelming and difficult to handle. I think this is where I would have lost it; I mean; You spared my life in the midst of the storm and brought me safely through a shipwreck, got my feet back on solid ground so I could get bite by a poisonous snake? But the thing is, is that Paul is right smack in the middle of God s will. Because it is this snakebite that is going to open the door of ministry to the natives of this island. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 10
4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live. What we see happing is that these guys are coming to a conclusion of what they think about a man s righteousness and spirituality based on physical circumstances, and this is not something that only the natives of Malta are prone to. Job experienced the same sort of judgment from his three friends. People do the same thing today; they look what someone is going through a tuff time and assume it has something to do with the kind of person they are. Even Christians can be drawn into this same kind of rationalization; they look at their physical circumstances and come to conclusions about God or about themselves as a result of these trials. They assume that there must be something wrong between themselves and God because just doesn t allow this kind of stuff to happen. It is hard enough to be going through a difficult trail, and then we begin to think that even God is against us in the middle of it. Maybe there is sin in my life, but I don t know of any sin, but there has to be something somewhere because God only allows this kind of stuff to happen to sinners. The natives of Malta were convinced that Paul was a murderer or something really, really bad because although he had escaped the sea, justice was still pursuing him. 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. These guys obviously were very superstitious, and after seeing that Paul was not fazed by the snake bite, they put two and two together and come to the conclusion that because the sea did not take his life and this poisonous snake did not kill him he must be a god. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 11
From one extreme to the other in a matter of just a few minutes, this just reveals how fast man can change his mind which is why we want to strive to be a God pleaser not a man pleaser. The people who cried Hosanna in the highest the day Christ rode into Jerusalem on colt, cried Crucify Him just a week later. Live your life with an attitude of wanting to honor and please God and you will by default be respectful of man who was created in His image. Jesus said; Love the Lord you God with all of you heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. 7 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. It is exciting to see how God is working in the lives of so many people to bring about His will in a given situation. Romans Ch.8:28 (New King James Version) 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. As a result of the shipwreck and snakebite word about Paul gets around the island pretty quick, and Publius who is well connected and has the gift of hospitality invites everyone to his place. Paul seeing that his father is sick heals him with the power of God and that opens the door for Paul to spend the next three months witnessing and sharing the gospel with the people of the island of Malta in what turns out to be one of his most successful missionary crusades. I think it is also interesting that Paul who himself it is believed suffered from a physical aliment was used by God to bring about so much healing. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 12
I think because of some of the struggles we go through in life it helps to develop a compassion within us when we see someone who is going through the same kind of thing we experienced. It often gives us an opportunity to speak about the truth of God and His love for them into their lives and because they know we are speaking from experience so to speak, it tends to have more credibility. Christianity is about living an others centered life, and some of the things we go through are not just about our own character building; but also to prepare us for future opportunities where we may be able to come along side and help someone who is completely overwhelmed in a situation and be able to help them through it, and strengthen their relationship with God. 10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. An entire island is reached with the gospel because of Paul s willingness to endure in the will of God, storms, a shipwreck, and a snakebite. ACTS CH.28:11-16 PAUL S ARRIVAL AT ROME 11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. 15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. As Paul is drawing closer to Rome word begins to spread amongst the Christians that the apostle Paul, the one who had written them a letter a couple of years ago was close by. Some unwilling to wait for him to get to Rome decided to travel out to meet him, this must have been a real encouragement to Paul as Luke states in verse 15. Some of these guys traveled more than 50 miles to see Paul. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 13
16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. ACTS CH.28:17-31 PAUL S MINISTRY AT ROME 17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. Paul is sensitive to the politics of this whole situation and he understands how he could frame his defense before Caesar in such a way that it could bring tremendous persecution upon the Jews from the Roman Empire because of the way they treated a Roman citizen. So Paul wants these Jewish leaders to know that while he is a Roman prisoner and he is going to stand before Caesar himself, he intent is not to bad mouth our people or throw them under the chariot I am not going to stand before Caesar and tell him how unjustly I was handled by the Jews or treated by our nation; he wanted to set their minds at ease. 20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21Then they said to him, We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere. 23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 14
And so once again taking full advantage of an open door, Paul meets with many of the Jews and beginning with the Law of Moses and the prophets he persuades many of them from the scripture that Jesus is the Messiah. The Prophet Isiah says in Ch.1:18 Come, let us reason together This is the heart of Paul; not to convince with eloquent speech but to preach the gospel and persuade to from scripture. From morning to evening Paul built his case from scripture that Jesus is the Messiah; boy would I like to get a copy of that study! 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, Go to this people and say: Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; 27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them. It s interesting to note that this is the same passage of scripture Jesus referenced when asked in Matthew Ch.13 by his disciples why He spoke in parables. Paul experiencing the same rejection of the truth from the Jewish leadership as Jesus did mentions the same passage of scripture, as a rebuke and a warning to their unbelief. 28 Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it! 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. You can almost picture in your mind as these guys are walking away they start arguing amongst themselves with their flying around and becoming very animated in their conversation 30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 15
For the next two years Paul, although a prisoner is more or less under house arrest and has the freedom to preach the gospel to any and all who come to him, no one forbids or slows him down. Paul has to wait for over two years before he gets his hearing with Caesar and you might think what a waste of time, why so long? But it was not a waste of time; in fact it was this opportunity that allowed Paul the chance to write what has become known as the prison epistles. For it was here where Paul was able to write his letters to Philemon, to the church at Philippi, the church at Ephesus, and to the church at Colossae. It was because of this imprisonment for two years that Paul was able to say: Philippians Ch.1:12-14 (New Living Translation) 12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God s message without fear. CONCLUSION I think the fact that Luke sets down his pen without giving us the details about Paul s day in court before Caesar is fitting for the book of Acts. Because like I mentioned when we began this study some 6 months ago, this book in not about the acts of the apostles as most bibles have titled it; but rather this is a book about the acts of the Holy Spirit and how He has worked through the church. This same story is being repeated again and again throughout the history of the church, trusting in Jesus, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the Father, the word of God will continue to spread without hindrance and continue to change lives for the glory of God. The Book of Acts really is a never-ending story. Pastor Steve Acts Bible Study - Lesson 27-28: Paul Sails To Rome September 2, 2014 page 16