College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Acts 28:16-31
AT ROME. Acts 28:16-31.
And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.
And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, 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 aught whereof to accuse my nation.
For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee.
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening.
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers,
saying,
Go thou unto this people, and say,
By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand;
And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
For this people's heart is waxed gross,
And their ears are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed;
Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And should turn again,
And I should heal them.
Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.
And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.
And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him,
preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.
Acts 28:16 I must also see Rome. And now Paul was to have the fulfillment of this desire but how unlike the manner in which he had anticipated viewing the capitol city. There is much that could be written respecting the scenes that greeted the apostle as he walked those forty-three miles. We could write of the tombs and statues that lined the way but others have told of those things. Let us try to hold to the text as near as possible.
Paul was given much freedom here. He had his own rented house or apartmentall that reminded him that he was a prisoner was the chain and the soldier. What a train of long wearisome events had happened since he said, I appeal to Caesar. What a trying and tiresome journey it had been. But after only three days the tireless ambassador in bonds sent word that he wanted to meet with those who were the leaders among the Jews of Rome. Paul was especially interested in getting the true facts before these men. He wanted them to know that he was here as a prisoner, not because he had done anything against the Jewish leaders or the nation of Israel. Paul places the responsibility of his imprisonment upon the Jews. He further proves that he had done nothing against the Roman government for he states that upon examination no fault was found in him. Indeed, left up to them he would be at liberty; but the Jews intervened and made necessary an appeal to Caesar; thus did Paul account for his appearance in Rome as a prisoner. But one more final, pungent wordI sent for you that I might see you and tell you that for the hope of Israel (the Messiah) I am bound with this chain.
1918.
How does Paul show his tireless effort in serving Christ?
1019.
Whom does Paul blame for his imprisonment?
1020.
What was the reason Paul assigned for his imprisonment?
Acts 28:17-22 Whether or nor these elders and rulers of the synagogues in Rome were telling the truth or not I do not know, but they said that they had neither received written nor spoken word about the apostle, but that they had heard of this new sect to which Paul had just alluded and they would like very much to hear more about it first hand. These men were prejudiced to begin with for they only heard evil concerning this new sect. But we should be glad that they were even willing to give it a hearing. So a day and time was set and they came out in great numbers to hear from this strange prisoner.
1021.
Why should we suspect the Jews in Rome of not telling the truth?
Acts 28:23-31 Then followed a most touching scene. From morning until evening the bond-servant of Jesus Christ expounded, testified, opened, alleged, besought and proved that this Jesus was the Christ and that He did have a kingdom and subjects. Paul proved from both the law and the prophets that this was so. What was the result? Not peace but a sword.
The division which has resulted ever since when the truth of God has encountered, side by side, earnest conviction with worldly indifference, honest investigation with bigoted prejudice, trustful faith with the pride of scepticism.
A stormy session followed as they disagreed among themselves. Then they departed, but not before Paul gave them one final inspired warning. Paul said, The words of Isaiah the prophet are surely fulfilled in you.
As in Antioch of Pisidia he said in conclusion Lo we turn to the Gentiles. Here in Rome he modified the form just a bit.
This salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles. They will also hear.
And now for two whole years he is to abide here at Rome. Luke tells us that all were permitted to see him and that he preached concerning the kingdom of God; that he also taught concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness. We might also add that certain epistles were written at this time. How many and which ones are determined by your conception as to what happened to Paul when he appeared before Caesar. After the two years was he released? Did he indeed go to Spain and then return to Rome for a second trial? We do not know. Here is the order of the writing of the epistles as I have thought of them:
1022.
What was touching about the scene in Paul's lodging?
1023.
Did any in Rome accept the gospel?
1024.
What time and place was similar to this in Rome?
1025.
What is The Kingdom of God of which Paul preached?
1026.
What are the two theories of Paul's trial and imprisonment?
THE EPISTLES OF PAUL
The Epistle
The Date
The Journey
The Place
Where Written
1.
I Thess.
52 A.D.
Second
Corinth
2.
II Thess.
53 A.D.
Second
Corinth
3.
I Cor.
57 A.D.
Third
Ephesus
4.
II Cor.
57 A.D.
Third
Macedonia at Philippi
5.
Gal.
57 A.D.
Third
Corinth
6.
Romans
58 A.D.
Third
Corinth
7.
Phil.
62 A.D.
Journey to Rome
Enroute to Rome
The Epistle
The Date The
Journey
Where Written
8.
Col.
62 A.D.
Journey to Rome
At Rome
9.
Eph.
62 A.D.
Journey to Rome
Rome
10.
Eph.
62 A.D.
Journey to Rome
Rome
11.
I Tim.
67 A.D.
After Release
Ephesus
12.
Titus
67 A.D.
After a visit to Crete
Ephesus
13.
II Tim.
68 A.D.
To Tim. who was in Ephesus
Rome
14.
Hebrews
68 A.D.
Some Bible scholars think that someone beside Paul wrote the epistle to the Hebrews
Rome
Thus after six years of happy effort I have finished the notes on the book of Acts. They are far from perfect. Of this I am more conscious than anyone else. But if they contribute in some way to make this marvelous book of Acts more actual to you, I shall be well repaid.
Yours in the Kingdom of God
San Jose, California
January, 1953
Don De Welt
Revised, February, 1958