Ministering In Rome

Acts 28:12-22

Having been blown off course by the hurricane, and landing at Melita, the shipwrecked group sailed with the ship from Alexandria which first had to land at Syracuse as originally scheduled. Once their business was completed, they turned back and headed for Italy, landing at Puteoli.

“And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.” (Acts 28:12-15)

Almost four years after leaving Ephesus, intending to visit Jerusalem and then go on to Rome, Paul finally got there. When he did, he was met by some of the Christians he had written the book of Romans to. Imagine the relief and encouragement this gave after almost three years as a prisoner. Our expectations are seldom the same as God’s schedule.

“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.” (Acts 28:16)

Paul was technically a prisoner, but he was only being held because of his appeal to Caesar and was not charged with any crime. As a result, he was given freedom to live in a private home with just a single guard to stay with him.

“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. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.” (Acts 28:17-19)

Despite their treatment of him, Paul still had a love for the Jews. He contacted the Jewish leaders and explained why he had been arrested, knowing that some of his enemies might come at any time to cause trouble. As he explained, he had not violated any of the Jewish teachings, or customs, but was arrested for political reasons. The Romans would have released him except for Jewish demands for further charges in an effort to kill him without a valid trial and thus discredit his supporters. He had felt obligated to appeal to Caesar for his freedom, even though he could not make serious charges against the Jews, because no provable attempt had been made on his life.

“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.” (Acts 28:20)

Paul believed that the prophecies and laws had been fulfilled in Christ. If that were so, the Jewish leadership was in rebellion against God, much like they were when God had chosen David to be king in Saul’s place but most of the tribes chose to make Ishbosheth king instead. They were unwilling to yield their control.

“And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.” (Acts 28:21-22)

Claudius, Roman Emperor from 41-54 AD., had banned Jews from Rome as described in Acts 18:2. Only after his death had the Jewish community begun to rebuild their power. As a result, there was little direct communication with Jerusalem. While there was a church in Rome, they posed no threat to the Jewish community, and had been largely ignored, but they had heard the clams against them from other areas. The Roman Jews wanted to know what the conflict was about.

“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 them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.” (Acts 28:23-24)

They set aside a day, and Paul spent the entire day explaining the gospel to the Jews. Kind of makes modern soul winning efforts seem shallow doesn’t it? He went through the old testament showing the basis for belief establishing a sound basis for making a decision. Some chose to believe, and others did not, but they made informed decisions.

“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, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 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.“ (Acts 28:25-27)

Isaiah had said the Jews would be satisfied with what they had and refuse to see any more in Isaiah 6:10 and again in Isaiah 44:18. It was the people’s choice, not God’s. God will not force people to believe him. Some will not believe until every knee bows and every tongue confesses at the final judgment.

“Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.” (Acts 28:28-29)

Though the Jews had the advantage of having been given God’s word, the Gentiles would be and are still more receptive than the Jews. The Jews left Paul discussing what they had heard that day.

“And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” (Acts 28:30-31)

Paul continued his ministry in Rome for two more years, renting a house where he was free to witness and preach to anyone who was interested enough to come and listen. He had greater freedom in preaching as a Roman prisoner than he had as a free man. I can only imagine the impact his personal teaching had on the church at Rome.


Concluding Remarks

Paul arrived in Rome between 54 and 66 AD., during Nero’s reign. In 66 AD., Nero ordered Jerusalem destroyed. Some believe that Paul was temporarily released from prison then later re arrested and executed. Scripture makes no such claim, and the prison epistles may have been written during the two years described.

Under Nero, persecution of both Jews and Christians became intense, as he made them scapegoats for the problems under his administration. Repeated rebellions by the Jews made it easy to blame them for the problems, and Christianity was viewed as an offshoot of the Jewish religion. The burning of Rome appears to have been an outpouring of hatred against the Jews and Christians, orchestrated by Nero in an attempt to remain as emperor. He was deposed in 68 AD.

Tradition tells us that Paul was executed as a result of this unrest. It may well be true.