Paul, Evangelist and Teacher in Rome

“For the space of two whole years, Paul remained there, earning his own living; and it was his custom to receive all who came to him, preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching them the facts about the Lord Jesus Christ—with complete freedom of speech and without let or hindrance.” –Acts 28:30-31. Translated from the Greek by Dr. William Barclay, Trinity College, Glasgow, Scotland, Nov. 1955. (Read Acts 28:17-31.)

Dr. William Barclay makes a good point that the Authorized Standard and other versions do not convey the whole idea with translating Paul’s place of residence in Rome as “his own hired (or rented) house.” That it was, but more, declares Dr. Barclay. While a prisoner in Rome Paul was making his own living, probably by tentmaking, his occupation. He lived at his own expense. Independent Paul did not want to inconvenience anyone. Yes, he accepted gifts from the churches with devotion and deep gratitude. But he was a burden to no man; his own hands supplied his needs. And his avid mind wrote letters to the churches, many of them originating during the time he was under “house arrest” in Rome. He never turned any visitors or inquirers away. Though in Rome under political scrutiny, he still had freedom to do the work of the Lord. He often had helpers with him, we find from other references giving information about Paul. Luke and Aristarchus had accompanied him to Rome. Timothy was often there and sometimes Tychicus, Epaphroditus, and Mark. And at all times soldiers from the Praetorian Guard. Can’t you just imagine what conversations Paul had with the soldiers and others? How rich! No time was wasted in God’s great economy of spreading the gospel. Although Luke does not record what happened finally to Paul at the end of his life, that was not the physician’s purpose. Luke’s purpose was to tell how the gospel was preached “to the ends of the earth” and to tell of the beginning and spread of the church. That he did, faithfully. He leaves Paul, preaching and teaching in Rome, the center of the then-known world—first to the Jews who dwelt there, and then to any who came to Paul’s house.

I have had a marvelous time studying Acts and writing these daily devotionals. An urgency, an anticipation and enthusiasm permeate Luke’s writing. This book of the Bible preserves for us the chronicle of how the church began and spread. It lends encouragement to us today, and gives us the special message from God that if we are found faithful as were Paul, Peter and others, we might experience another “Day of Pentecost” in our own day. We’ve learned that the practice that provided power for witnessing and work was faithful praying. May we never forget that even if we cannot go “to the ends of the earth,” our sincere praying and support can undergird and uplift those who are called to go. In our own way and in our day, let us be faithful!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Paul’s Arrival in Rome

“After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse (three days)…arrived at Rhegium…on the following day we reached Puteoli…there…found some brothers…spent a week with them…And 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. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” –Acts 28:11-16 (NIV. Read passage in its entirety).

After spending three months on Malta, the shipwrecked travelers boarded another ship for the last lap of their journey to Rome. It was a Greek ship. Luke evidently thought it important to include in his writing that on the masthead were images of the Greek twin gods, Castor and Pollux, representing mythical protection over sea-faring folks. Little did the others aboard know that they did not need pagan gods to protect them; God the Almighty rode with Paul, Luke and Aristarchus. Paul would finally realize a dream: to preach in the Roman capital. How would God bring this about, seeing as how Paul was still a prisoner? Never underestimate the power of God in the life of a dedicated minister or layperson! Paul was finally at Puteoli, the port of Rome. He was now on the threshold of the capitol of the then known world! God had brought him to this place to witness, to have time to write, to be “in his own hired (rented) house.”

They had some productive stops along the journey, especially at Puteoli where for a week they enjoyed company with a group of Christians already living there. And then, because the Christians in Rome had heard Paul was finally arriving, an entourage went out to meet him as he approached Rome on the famous Appian Way, the major highway. On that famous route was a market place forty-three miles southeast of Rome. Kings and generals were met there as they returned victoriously from battle. We can only imagine the rejoicing as Christians from Rome met Paul. But highest among those who greeted Paul was the Lord Christ who had sent him forth with “Lo, I am with you always.” Christ who never breaks His word walked on with Paul into Rome. Great things would be in store for God was directing Paul’s steps. Even in chains of circumstance, the Christian can know great freedom and rejoice in the opportunities God provides. With God, all things are possible. Praise be to God!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Monday, May 17, 2010

Enforced Stopover and Paul’s Ministry

“Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold…There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. –Acts 28: 1-2; 7-10 (NIV. Read Acts 28:1-10).

Shipwreck on the island of Malta (called Melita in the King James Version) was not a time of idleness for Paul. Malta was located some 50 miles southwest of Sicily. Looking at a map of the missionary journeys of Paul, it is easy to locate this small island, a tiny dot of land in the Mediterranean Sea. The natives showed unusual kindness to the 276 people who had survived the shipwreck. Victims, they were cold from the sea water and the storm. The islanders built a fire. Paul himself, ever the practical person, gathered driftwood to help kindle the fire. A viper (snake), warmed by the fire, came out of hibernation in the wood and attached itself to Paul’s arm. The islanders, being extremely superstitious, thought the snake was punishment for Paul, the prisoner, who must be a murderer or worse. But when he did not die from the viper’s attack, they then wanted to declare Paul a god and worship him. But Paul would have nothing of this hero-worship. Instead, he had work to do for God while they were on the island.

The ruler of Malta was a man named Publius who extended hospitality to the shipwrecked entourage and entertained them royally for three days. It is not clear whether Publius had been appointed to his rulership of the island by the Roman government or else had been placed in his role by the natives. At any rate, he extended hospitality and made the victims of shipwreck feel welcome. And his kindness was reciprocated. When Paul learned that Publius’s father was sick, as Dr. Luke diagnosed, “with recurring fever and dysentery,” Paul prayed, laid his hands on him, and he was healed. That news spread, and many others sick on the island came for Paul’s prayers, touch and healing. And when the shipwrecked visitors were ready to leave for Rome, the islanders honored them by gifts and provisions for the remainder of their journey. Kindnesses done in the name of the Lord are never lost. The time on Malta was rich with the blessings of God poured out on the people. Let us, like Paul, use even the interims of life to do good to others.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, May 16, 2010