Title Acts-78
Contents
Act 78 Evangelism in Rome 06.8.30 (Wednesday Prayer Meeting)
Acts 28:10-31
After spending the winter on the island of Melide, Paul and his companions departed from there by boarding the Alexandrian boat that had wintered on the island. Their voyage was smooth, and Paul soon arrived in Rome. While awaiting the emperor's trial, Paul was under arrest but was free to preach. Everything was by God's grace.
I. The journey of Paul from the island of Melide to Rome is recorded.
1. It shows that they were on the Alexandrian ship.
“After three months we departed on a boat from Alexandria, where it wintered on the island, and the headdress of the boat was a dioscurora” (verse 11).
At that time, ships carried statues on their bows, and they sculpted Casto and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus, whom sailors liked.
Such pieces would have given them confidence that they would keep their ships safe.
2. The ship picked up several places and arrived at its destination.
1).The first place we arrived was Suragusa.
“I stayed three days in Suragusa” (verse 12).
Suragusa is the largest city on the island of Sicily. I stayed here for 3 days and I would have traded.
2).The place we arrived at from Suragusa was Legion.
“We went around from there and came to Legion, and after spending a day there came a south wind, and the next day we reached Podiol”
Legion was a port at the southern tip of Italy, located opposite Messina on the island of Sicily.
They stayed one day in Legion.
3). The place where they left Legion and arrived was Podiol (verse 13).
Bodiol was not far from Naples in what is now known as 'Pozzolana'.
The ship of Alexandria was destined for Voldior, and Paul and his companions landed there and proceeded to Rome by land.
Paul met Christian brothers at Voldior.
Paul stayed there for a week at their request.
“There we found the brethren, and at their invitation we stayed with them seven days, and thus we went to Rome” (verse 14).
It is not known why the centurion escorting Paul allowed Paul to stay. He himself must have been considerate of Paul because he had seen him at Boldior, and trusted him completely in the past.
4).When I left Voldior and arrived at Abbio and Trace Tabernet, I met the Roman brothers who had met me.
“When the brothers there heard the news of us, they came to meet us in Piazza Abbio and Trace Taberne, and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and gained courage” (verse 15).
The fact that the brothers in Rome heard of Paul must have been through the brothers of Boldior while they were in Boldior.
Abbio is located 81.6 km from Rome, and Trace Tavernet (three inns) is 44.8 km (some say 52.8 km)).
By meeting the brothers in Rome, Paul thanked God and gained courage.
Ⅱ. It shows that Paul invited the Jews first when he arrived in Rome.
“Three days later, Paul summoned the high-ranking of the Jews, and after they had gathered, he said, “Brothers, I have not rejected the customs of the people of Israel or of our ancestors, but I was delivered as a prisoner into the hands of the Romans in Jerusalem” (verse 17).
1. It shows that Paul invited them in haste.
We prepared to gather them three days later, so we can see Paul's passion.
2. Paul explained to them the reason why they had petitioned for Caesar's trial.
He explained that he was not accusing the Israelites, but reluctantly because of some Jews who were trying to harm him.
3. Paul learned that he had not received any letters from them or heard any accusations against him.
“They said, “We have not received a letter from you from Judea, nor have we spoken of any of the brothers who have come and preached bad things about you” (verse 21).
4. Paul knew what they wanted to hear about Christianity.
“Then we would like to hear what you think, because we know that there is opposition to this faction everywhere” (verse 22).
Ⅲ. Paul preached the gospel to the Jews first in Rome as well.
“They set a date, and many came to the house where he lodged, where Paul preached from morning to evening, testifying to the kingdom of God, and admonishing him concerning Jesus by the words of Moses and of the Law and of the Prophets” (verse 23).
1. Because his love for his people was great.
Christians should love their people, but not nationalists.
2. It was because Paul was used to preaching the gospel to the Jews.
1). Everywhere Paul had preached the gospel to the Jews.
2).Because he knew the Jews well and was easy to approach.
Paul was well acquainted with Moses, the Law, and the Prophets, and the interest of the Jews was there.
3. The reaction of the Jews to Paul's evangelism shows that they did not meet their expectations.
“Some believe it, and some do not believe it” (verse 24).
1).Paul said that their reaction was the same as the words prophesied by Isaiah.
It is because their hearts have become stupid and they have closed their ears and closed their eyes.
“The heart of this people has become dull, and their ears have become dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes, that they may see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and I will heal them” (verse 27).
2).Paul said it was because God's salvation was sent to the Gentiles.
“Know then that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it” (verse 28).
Ⅳ. It shows that Paul's life in Rome was for the Gospel.
While awaiting Caesar's trial, God opened the way for him to preach the gospel.
1. Paul was able to meet people relatively freely while waiting for the trial.
Paul stayed in his rented house all two days, receiving all who came to him (verse 30).
Although Paul, who was under arrest, could not go out, he had the freedom to meet anyone who came.
2. Paul taught all about the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ to those who came to him.
“Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching all things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 31).
3. Paul preached the gospel boldly and without hesitation.
“--He taught boldly and without hesitation” (verse 31).
What is the secret to being so bold as a prisoner?
1). It was because I had confidence in God's protection through the process so far.
2). Because he was imprisoned and prepared for martyrdom.
Lessons learned and application
The book of Acts summarizes the process of preaching the gospel in the work of the Holy Spirit and its lessons.
1. The gospel that began to be preached in Jerusalem is being preached in Rome.
The gospel was spread from a small city to a global city.
2. The gospel was preached in God's miraculous work.
3. The gospel was preached by dedicated people who had the faith of martyrdom.
4. Besides the apostles who preached the gospel directly, there was cooperation of many people who helped them.
5. There were many obstacles or persecutions, but they overcame them and the gospel was preached.
6. All these things were accomplished in the work of the Holy Spirit.