Rome at Last

No Sanhedrin, no warnings by officials, no prison, no storm, no snake could stop Paul - nothing would stop God's plan for Paul to go to Rome and preach the gospel. Nor will anything alter God's plan for your life when you listen to the Holy Spirit and obey.

In these last chapters of Acts, we find Paul on board a ship that is sailing for Rome. It was the time of year when the winds had shifted and made sailing a long and dangerous journey. In ancient times, sailing the high seas after September was not advisable. Cloudy weather set in making navigation difficult since sailors were only able to navigate by using the position of the stars. Most seafaring ships stayed in port. Well, all those except the one that God guided with Paul on board.

Paul warned them not to set sail - the the captain and soldiers were determined. Soon Paul's prediction came true - a terrible storm brewed and the ship ran in to what we would call a typhoon or hurricane. Can you imagine being on a wooden ship in such a storm? The waves - the rain - the wind - the darkness - the cold - the danger! Yet Paul remained calm and cool. Never wavering in his faith in God and God's promise to him that he would stand before Caesar. Paul calmed the other sailors and prisoners on board and urged them to eat some food.

The ship ran aground, and they found themselves on the island of Malta. The local people showed them kindness, and after Paul's surviving a snake bite, the locals thought Paul "a god." Again, Paul is used by God. While on the island the father of one of the leading men suffered from fever and dysentery. After praying and laying his hands upon him, the man was healed and many others on the island that had illnesses came to Paul and were healed as well. Paul was used by God here on this island for ministry. On our island after the storms of our life, where can He use us? And will we let Him?

After three months on the island, they again set sail on a grain ship from Alexandria and headed for Rome. The remainder of the trip was uneventful, and as God had promised him, Paul came to Rome in triumph, met and accompanied by Roman Christians who had come out along the road from Rome . . .(Holman Bible Handbook).

After all the details and drama of Acts, this book seems to end abruptly only stating that Paul lived under house arrest with a soldier who guarded him. It is from this house arrest that it is believed Paul wrote many letters, including Colossians, Philippians, and Ephesians.

Paul also met with the local Jewish leaders, explained the circumstances of his being in Rome, and shared the gospel with them. The results? some believed and some did not. (Is this not always the case? When we share the gospel - some will believe and some will not.)

As these local Jewish leaders departed, Paul made one last statement . . . let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen." And he continued to live there two years and welcomed all who came to him preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered. (Amplified Bible)

The message of Acts is not just that the gospel spread from Jerusalem to the end of the earth - the message is that God caused the spread of the gospel. At each step of the way, the working of God in the world is seen. (Holman Bible Handbook)