Acts 11

Chapter 11. Paul at RomeAnd so we came to Rome. The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged. (Acts 28:14-15)We left Paul swimming ashore on the coast of Malta on a piece of broken wreck, having saved the whole company and crew of the ship by his faith and courage, and doubtless having endeared himself to the hearts of all the 276 souls whom God had given to him. We now find him in the midst of a barbarous crowd of natives who received the refugees with rude hospitality and kindness. It was wet and cold, for it was now the depth of winter, probably the month of December, and the people kindled a fire on the shore and proceeded to minister to the comfort of their unexpected guests. Paul, just like himself, without waiting to be waited upon, went to work to help himself and his companions and began to gather sticks for the fire. Suddenly a viper sprang from the flames and seized upon his hand, and immediately the superstitious natives concluded that he must be some notorious criminal whom vengeance was pursuing; but when Paul quietly flung off the viper into the flames again, and instead of his hand swelling and some terrible fit seizing him, he appeared to suffer no harm, their suspicions were changed to superstitious awe, and they were ready to worship him as a god. At the same time an opportunity was afforded by the sickness in the home of Publius, the chief man of the island, for Paul to go to him and minister in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith, and his healing in answer to prayer, produced a deeper impression upon the hearts of the people, so that from other parts of the island the sick were brought to him, and doubtless the good missionary took advantage of the opportunity to preach to them the gospel and turn to good account the three months they were compelled to linger on the island. On their departure they were loaded with gifts and honors, and no doubt, a blessed missionary work had been accomplished and a seeming calamity turned into a blessed opportunity. Reaching Rome With the opening of navigation early in March, a corn ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island and was on its way to Naples, took them on board and they resumed their journey. Calling at Syracuse, the principal city of Sicily, they tarried three days. Then, passing Rhegium, they entered the harbor of Naples and moored at the destination of the trade ship at the wharves of Puteoli. Here they found a little company of disciples with whom they tarried the usual seven days, waiting, no doubt, over the Lord’s day. Their march was next resumed overland along the famous Appian Way toward Rome. This famous road had been trodden by mighty armies and famous travelers often before, but no such distinction ever came to it as when it was trodden by the feet of Paul on his way to Rome and martyrdom. About 30 miles from Rome there was a little station called the Forum of Appius, where an important crossroad struck the Appian Way, and here the first party of Christians in Rome had come out to meet and greet their venerable visitor. Ten miles nearer the city was another town known as the Three Taverns, also a junction with an important road and a place of public resort, and here the second party of his hosts and visitors were waiting. Less vigorous, perhaps, than the others, they had not been able to take the longer walk; but now all reunited, and as a joyous procession, walked back by his side under the escort of his Roman guard and entered Rome. The city was at its best. Two million people crowded within its walls and overflowed its suburbs, covering every hillside with the villas of the wealthy, while the crossings of the great avenues and the many hills that covered the site of seven-hilled Rome were crowned with arches, monuments, palaces, public baths and imposing edifices. Paul’s destination was the Praetorium, or barracks, near the imperial quarters in the Palatine Hill. Here he was delivered over by Julius, who had charge of his escort, to the captain of the guard, a distinguished Roman named Burrus, whose name has come down to us from contemporary Roman history as a worthy and upright man. For the present, Paul’s trial was postponed until his accusers could come from Palestine with their witnesses. Meanwhile, he was treated with marked courtesy. While, of course, he was a public prisoner and never could be separated from the Roman soldier who was chained to his arm, yet he was allowed to live in his own private lodging and receive such friends as he chose to come to him, with perfect freedom. Just as soon as he had become settled in his lodgings and had had a brief rest from the fatigue of his journey, after three days he sent for the Chief of the Jews and made an appointment for a meeting with his countrymen, that he might lay before them his message. On the appointed day they came in great numbers, for Rome had then its Jewish quarter, even as it has today its famous Ghetto, and they formed a distinct and important element in its population. It was a memorable day in the history of Israel. From morning until night Paul reasoned with them and laid before them the proofs of Christ’s Messiahship from the Old Testament Scriptures, and when the day was over it was found that while some believed, many still refused to receive the message and the chief body of his people seemed to have not only left his apartment, but separated themselves from his fellowship; for the language employed denotes a formal and final separation, and Paul’s solemn message to them as they left him leaves no doubt that he so understood it. Affectionately, but very solemnly, he applies to them the warning words of the Prophet Isaiah, and formally turns from them to the Gentiles, declaring that to them the message now is sent and they will receive it. Work at Rome The two years that followed were filled with constant work on the part of the apostle. Many came to him and many we know became followers of Jesus, and the church in Rome grew in numbers and influence. The soldiers who successively guarded him became in turn the subjects of his prayers and his messages and his effectual influence, so that in writing to the Philippians, he could say that the things that had happened to him had turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, and that through all the barracks his bonds in Christ had been made manifest and his testimony honored of God. Writing from Rome he could send greetings to the distant churches from those that were of Caesar’s household, and quote name after name that was remembered among the disciples of the Lord. The sequel of Paul’s story is gathered from various sources, partly from his own later epistles, partly from ancient traditions and Church history. It seems to be beyond doubt that, shortly after the two years mentioned by Luke in Acts, his hearing before Nero occurred and he was acquitted and released. Then he returned to the West to preach the gospel in Spain, revisited his old churches in Greece and Asia Minor, and was again arrested, sent to Rome for trial, condemned, and finally beheaded about six years after this, probably in the year 68, just a little before the capture and fall of Jerusalem. Lessons But it is time to turn from the narrative of facts to spiritual facts and spiritual lessons to be gathered from these incidents and scenes.

1. Satan Not Only Defeated, but Turned Into an Ally The savage attack of that viper upon the hand of Paul was but a stroke from the old serpent, the devil, who employed him; but it reacted against its intended purpose, and when Paul was not only uninjured but victorious over its malignant power, it gave him double influence for God. So every blow of the devil may be turned to our own advantage, and God be glorified by the strange spectacle of even Satan being forced to be our ally and really help on the cause he hates. Let us not fear our conquering foes. Let us never forget this verse: “without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God” (Philippians 1:28).
2. Adjusting Ourselves to Our Circumstances How perfectly Paul fitted into the providential framework of his life. Put him on a storm-tossed vessel, or on a floating spar, or on a savage shore at Malta, or chain him to a Roman soldier in the Praetorium—he was equally at home in all. He did not quarrel with circumstances, but he adjusted himself to them and turned them to account. Look at him gathering sticks for that fire, with simple-hearted, unaffected freedom, helping to make himself and others comfortable, instead of complaining about the wet and cold. This is the true missionary spirit and this is the true secret of happiness and healthiness in every station in life.
3. The Immortality of Goodness The scenes through which Paul passed on his voyage to Rome have derived much celebrity from many distinguished names. But the name of Paul has given them a higher distinction than all the story of the Caesars. The very bay where his ship ran ashore is known today as St. Paul’s bay. The place where he landed at Naples has been sought throughout all the centuries by loving and admiring followers, ever since the day when old Ignatius tried to trace his every footstep along the Appian Way to Rome. And as the ages go by, every other memory will pass into oblivion; but the name, the words, the works of Paul will possess an interest and claim a love and veneration before which all other associations must pale.
4. The Rejection of Israel No sadder, darker shadow falls upon this story than that last meeting of Paul with his countrymen at Rome. Could we but see its mournful issues as it must have impressed the heavenly beings, it could only seem unutterably sorrowful. It was the last opportunity of Israel. During his earthly ministry how often had the Master called them; then at Pentecost they had received the message once more, and again and again Paul himself had pleaded with them. His love was so deep that he could even almost wish himself accursed from Christ for his brethren according to the flesh. At Antioch he had pleaded with them once more, and then with deep sorrow had turned from them to the Gentiles. On the barracks steps at Jerusalem he had once more appealed to them and given them his own testimony and his Master’s message, but they had rejected it and sought his very life, even as they had martyred Stephen because he had witnessed to them of the same hated name. One more opportunity, however, is afforded. As Israel has heard at Jerusalem, at Antioch, and in all the synagogues of the world the message of her Messiah, she must hear it once more at Rome, but it is the old story. Again it is met by unbelief; and now the voice of mercy ends, the day of grace is over, the sentence is pronounced, the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles and they will hear it, and Jerusalem is left to her fate. Already the Roman eagles are preparing to descend upon their prey; and ere many years have passed, the terrible presentiments will begin, the fluttering wings will be heard within that Holy Place, while voices murmur, “Let us depart,” and Israel will be led forth “as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). Paul’s loving eyes and ears shall be spared the spectacle. He shall be with his Lord before the final tempest breaks, and almost as soon as his martyr spirit shall have reached the arms of Jesus, the fatal cordon will be fastened around Jerusalem and the day of her visitation will have begun. Oh, that the children of the kingdom, who like Israel of old, are trifling with this great salvation and missing their birthright, even as Israel missed hers—oh, that they would remember the warning: “If God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either” (Romans 11:21). Israel had her day of opportunity and grace. Christendom is having hers. Soon that, too, will close, and Israel’s day may return once more. Let us learn the lesson of her rejection, and “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8).
5. The Open Door of the Gentiles “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (Acts 28:28). As the door of grace for Israel closed, it opened for the Gentiles, and now it was fully opened. The gospel henceforth was to make rapid progress at Rome and throughout the Roman world, and the epistles of Paul written from Rome showed how rapid and substantial that progress was. In his own hired house he daily received inquirers, “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:31). He wrote the epistles to the Ephesians, the Colossians, the Philippians and Philemon during these two years. Many in Caesar’s household, and many in the Roman Praetorium became followers of Jesus Christ, and from Rome, the center of the world, the light went forth among all nations. Paul himself a little later passed again over the familiar scenes of his former labors and went far beyond the old boundaries, even to distant Spain. And ever since, that door has been opened more and more widely, until today the gospel of the kingdom has been preached for a witness unto almost all nations, and the glorious work the apostle began is nearing its consummation. More widely than ever God has opened the last closed doors during the present generation, and now there is scarcely a region of the globe where the messenger of Christ may not enter, and where, indeed, the pioneers of the gospel have not already begun their final proclamation before the end shall come.
6. A Pattern Missionary The profoundest of all impressions that come to us as we follow to its close the story of Paul, is the character of the man himself. We have seen it in many lights. The last picture is one of exceeding brightness, helpfulness and suggestiveness. “Paul thanked God and was encouraged” (Acts 28:15). What a light it sheds on that glorious, radiant life! There at the gates of Rome, there on the threshold of the cruel Nero, there where he was to suffer and die, there is no shrinking; there is only gratitude and fortitude, thankfulness for the past, fearlessness for the future. “Paul thanked God and was encouraged”! There he stands waving the banner of victory for every succeeding soldier of the cross, and begging us to follow in the path of trial and triumph with the same hopefulness and the same heroic courage. Why did he thus thank God and take courage? First, because it was his spiritual temperament to be cheerful, hopeful and brave. Perhaps it was not his natural temperament; but Christian character does not come by birth, but by second birth. It is not our disposition, but Christ’s disposition that should determine our spirit and character. And wherever the Holy Spirit dwells and Christ is enthroned, there must be the spirit of joy, of peace and of confidence. Next, it was the presence of his friends that cheered and inspired him. We know who some of these were. He had sent greeting to them in the 16th chapter of Romans. There were Aquilla and Priscilla, his oldest and perhaps his dearest friends; there was Mary, who bestowed much labor on him; Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labored in the Lord, and the beloved Persis that labored much in the Lord. There, too, were Timothy and Mark, and other friends who had labored with him in Asia and in Greece. What a joy it must have been to meet them! How their coming seemed to him a signal and a token of blessing and victory! With what tears and smiles and handclasps they must have met and then journeyed on together side by side those thirty miles to Rome! Thank God for Christian friendship. Thank God for true laborers in Jesus Christ. Thank God for the love that seeks not her own, and that brings with it a fresh touch of the love of the Master. Beloved, how shall you have that hallowed blessing which was so dear to Paul? Let us whisper the secret. It is a very important one, but a very simple one. It is this: Love your friends, not for your sake but for their own; not for what you can get out of them, but for what you can be to them in unselfish blessing. Is not this the trouble with many of you? Is not this the reason why you are so often complaining of slight and neglect? That very complaint shows that what you are thinking of most is your side of the friendship and how it affects you. Rather learn to think of it as it affects them and makes you a blessing rather than a subject of blessing, and be well assured that if God makes you a blessing to another life it must inevitably come back to you in return. Ask God to give you an unselfish interest in the joy of ministering to others and forgetting self in helping them. This is the love of God, and this is the love that God loves and blesses. Be well assured that this is the real cause of all your disappointments in Christian love and fellowship. Paul had not one selfish thought. He loved his friends as few men did. He could say to them that they were in his heart to live and die with them, and that from the very beginning of the gospel they all had been partakers of his grace. Night and day he prayed for them and carried their every burden. Was ever soul more enriched by the treasures of love and prayer? Look at them falling on his neck yonder on the shores of Miletus and by the ship as it sailed from Tyre. Look at them walking out 30 miles from Rome to meet him on his way. Was not that enough to repay a man for the toils and sacrifices of a lifetime? God give us the same spirit of helpful love! Again, Paul thanked God and took courage because of the wonderful providences that had led him hitherto. How could he help thinking of all the way he had come, and the hand that had led him to this hour, and that, notwithstanding the appeals of friends, the threats of enemies and the hate of hell, kept him true to his purpose and carried him safe to his goal. But the deeper secret of Paul’s courageous spirit was his confidence in God and his close union with the spirit of his Master. Writing from Rome about this time to the Philippians, and giving us a glimpse of his very heart, he gives utterance to the same spirit of trustfulness and victory. He says: I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13) That was the secret of it all—the Christ who was his strength, the Spirit of the Master, the indwelling presence of the Lord, the deep lessons that he had learned in the school and under the discipline of the Holy Spirit. Not always could he say this, but now at last he says, “I have been instructed, I have learned my lesson and it is settled.” Again Paul was cheerful and hopeful because he was about to begin his cherished lifework. He had longed for this open door. Now it had come and he was about to enter upon the supreme work of his life. How he had loved that work; how he had lived for it; how he devoted himself to it and buried every private interest and every personal aim in the one purpose, to witness to Jesus and glorify His name. This is the true missionary spirit, and with this we are ready for the hardest service or the homeliest trial. The story is told of a missionary candidate who applied for appointment for service on the field. His case was referred to a wise old clergyman who was to examine him and report upon his case. The good minister invited him to call at his study on a certain morning, naming the hour at 3 o’clock in the morning. Of course, it was a most unusual hour, but true to his appointment the young man was there on time. The servant, duly instructed, met him at the door and showed him into the waiting room. There he sat until 8 o’clock in the morning, when the host received him without a word of explanation. He asked him a few very ordinary questions. Among other things he inquired if he had a good English education, had studied grammar, could spell correctly, and finally wound up the humiliating examination by asking him if he could spell the word “fox.” This was duly done, and then he asked him if he had studied arithmetic, and this examination closed by a sum in addition, consisting of the two figures, 2 and 2 are 4. The young man meekly answered every question and was duly dismissed and told that was all. He went away wondering whether he had been taken for a fool, but in due time he received word that his examiner had reported very favorably upon him and that he had been accepted. The report of the old gentleman was something like this: “I have examined Mr. So-and-So, and I consider him well fitted for missionary work. In the first place I examined him in punctuality, and I found that when I invited him to call at 3 o’clock in the morning he was there on the minute. Next I examined him on humility, and I found him to be proficient there, for when I asked him questions that any infant might have answered, he answered them meekly without asking any questions. I examined him in patience, gentleness, meekness and love, and I found him equal to the test. He waited for five hours for my coming to receive him, but he made no complaint. He must have been perplexed at the way I examined him, but he showed no trace of irritation. His whole spirit seemed to be under the control of Christ, and I have much pleasure in recommending him as a graduate in the school of his Master, and a worthy witness for His name.” Whether the incident is true or not, the lesson is, beyond all question; and happy would it be for many a missionary, more proficient, perhaps, in the culture and theology, if they could meet the same tests of all those spiritual qualities which constitute the testimony of our lives, and the absence of which will surely defeat all our words and works. While we thank God for the glorious achievements of the great apostle, while we look with wonder and amazement at his labors and sufferings, greater than all is his life and character, and best of all his testimonies is this: that he could say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Volume Five The Christ in the Bible Volume Five Romans through Colossians by Dr. Albert B. 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