The Final Arrest

No man, even the apostle Paul, is an island.

Well, those evil Jews were at it again. I really shouldn't be surprised at the lengths these men went through to get rid of Paul, but this surprised me. In this chapter it is written that they accused Paul of setting Rome ablaze. The anti-Christian sentiment was so strong at the time that it didn't take much to make the accusation stick. Paul was arrested, and instead of a nice house, he was put into a gloomy dungeon.

Many of his friends had left the city for one reason or another, and he valued those who stayed that much more. A key person was Luke who "was a great comfort to Paul and enabled him to communicate with his brethren and the world without" (pg. 490). Another friend who stayed was Onesiphorous.

This warmhearted Ephesian did all in his power to lighten the burden of the apostle's imprisonment. His beloved teacher was in bonds for the truth's sake, while he himself went free, and he spared himself no effort to make Paul's lot more bearable. pg. 490

We all need each other. Even Jesus wanted the sympathy of His disciples while at Gethsemane. Those who spend their lives in service of others still need to be ministered to once in a while. May we all be more attuned to the needs of others and do our best to fulfill them.

At Liberty

We should make the most of the opportunities God gives us.

In this chapter there is an interesting turn of events in Paul's life. Up until this point, the centurion overseeing him had been quite helpful and gracious to him. This man is now replaced by someone quite the opposite. And the Caesar to which Paul had appealed to, well, lets just say that he was not so favorable either.

Paul could hope for little justice from the Caesar to whom he had appealed. Nero was more debased in morals, more frivolous in character, and at the same time capable of more atrocious cruelty, than any ruler who had preceded him. The reins of government could not have been entrusted to a more despotic ruler. The first year of his reign had been marked by the poisoning of his young stepbrother, the rightful heir to the throne. From one depth of vice and crime to another, Nero had descended, until he had murdered his own mother, and then his wife. There was no atrocity which he would not perpetrate, no vile act to which he would not stoop. In every noble mind he inspired only abhorrence and contempt. pp. 486, 487

From a human perspective, Paul was pretty much doomed, yet we have to remember this is Paul we're dealing with here. He was not afraid. He knew that God would take care of him, and you know what, He did.

 And God did shield His servant. At Paul's examination the charges against him were not sustained, and, contrary to the general expectation, and with a regard for justice wholly at variance with his character, Nero declared the prisoner guiltless. Paul's bonds were removed; he was again a free man. pp. 487, 488

This happened just in time too. For soon after Paul's release and departure from Rome (would you stick around?) the infamous Nero did what he is now infamous for. He burned Rome and blamed the Christians.

Paul was now getting up there in years, and he knew his time was short, so he now worked that much harder to win souls and strengthen those in the faith.

Our opportunities may not be as dramatic as Paul's, yet we can make full use of the advantages given to us. If we are faithful in the little things, Jesus said, we will be faithful in the big ones as well.

Caesar's Household

We often don't know what will be the result of our humble witnessing.

This chapter deals with a phrase found in Philippians 4:22 that is also the title for this chapter. It talks about how even though Paul was limited to his house, and he witnessed mainly to the lower classes of people that somehow his witness reached into the halls of the emperor Nero.

Now even those of us with only a superficial knowledge of the Roman Empire have probably heard the name Nero, and the reason we have heard it is because he was so evil. E.G. White points out that the people that lived and worked in his halls were about the same as him.

Yet in this case, as in so many others, was proved the truth of Paul's assertion that the weapons of his warfare were "mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds," 2 Corinthians 10:4. Even in Nero's household, trophies of the cross were won. From the vile attendants of a viler king were gained converts who became sons of God. These were not Christians secretly, but openly. They were not ashamed of their faith. pg. 463

Paul never intended to have an influence in this area. He did not receive a divine mandate like Moses or Elijah to go and preach to the rulers of the land, yet by his persistent, humble labors a foothold for the gospel was made in the courts of the Caesar.

This should be an encouragement for us. I know it is for me. Even if we don't have the opportunity to do some "great" form of witnessing, our influence can spread farther and wider than we think. Even just through the simple witness to those we work with can make a difference. Even if we work in a Christian environment, we can be a witness to strengthen the faith of those with whom we work. Wherever we go, whatever we do, our witness can spread far and wide regardless of our situation.

He whose heart is fixed to serve God will find opportunity to witness for Him. Difficulties will be powerless to hinder him who is determined to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. In the strength gained by prayer and a study of the word, he will seek virtue and forsake vice. Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of the faith, who endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself, the believer will willingly brave contempt and derision. And help and grace sufficient for every circumstances are promised by Him whose word is truth. His everlasting arms encircle the soul that turns to Him for aid. In His care we may rest safely, saying, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." Psalm 56:3. To all who put their trust in Him, God will fulfill His promise. pg. 467

In Rome

God can make the best out of a bad situation.

In this chapter, we find Paul arriving at Rome. There were a few Christians in the area, and the met him upon his arrival to the Italian coast. The Christians requested that Paul stay with them a week, and  this request was granted by the centurion Julius. The soldiers had come to greatly respect Paul, and did everything in their power to accommodate him.

On the eighth day, the prisoners set out to Rome and when they were passing through Appii Forum, about forty miles from Rome. The procession was periodically halted when various believers recognized Paul from his presence at the various towns and cities in which he ministered. The soldiers were a little annoyed at these interruptions, but didn't have the heart to cut them short.

Upon arriving at Rome, Paul was surrendered the captain of the emperor's guard. The positive words of Julius as well as Festus' letter caused Paul to be treated very graciously. Instead of staying in a prison, he was allowed to stay at a house, and although still in chains, he was granted a great deal of freedom.

Paul received many visitors, especially those of the Jewish persuasion, and Paul took this opportunity to share with them the truth regarding his presence there before they could be poisoned by those Jews who hated him so much. The Roman Jews stated that they had not heard anything from these other Jews, and had no bias against him. So, sometime later Paul shared with them the gospel, and how the true knowledge of Christ had led him to be converted.

Paul had been in Rome a long time up to this point with no appearance by his accusers. The malicious designs of those Jews had been so thoroughly thwarted up to this point that they needed quite a bit of time to regroup.  God used this delay to the furtherance of the gospel. For the period of two years Paul was able to receive visitors and send out workers to various places to preach the gospel. E. G. White had this to write about this situation.

Thus, while apparently cut off from active labor, Paul exerted a wider and more lasting influence than if he had been free to travel among the churches as in former years. As a prisoner of the Lord, he had a firmer hold upon the affections of his brethren; and his words, written by one under bonds for the sake of Christ, commanded greater attention and respect than they did when he was personally with them. Not until Paul was removed from them, did the believers realize how heavy were the burdens he had borne in their behalf. Heretofore they had largely excused themselves from responsibility and burden bearing because they lacked his wisdom, tact, and indomitable energy; but now, left in their inexperience to learn the lessons they had shunned, they prized his warnings, counsels, and instructions as they had not prized his personal work. And as they learned of his courage and faith during his long imprisonment they were stimulated to greater fidelity and zeal in the cause of Christ. pg 454

The chapter continues by going into the background of Paul's letter to Philemon, but  I want to stay on this point of how the work was benefited by all the negative circumstances surrounding Paul's Roman experience. We often go through life wondering how anything good can come from the negative circumstances that surround our experience, but we should take this story and let it serve as a reminder that no matter what problems life deals us, God can make the best out of a bad situation.

The Voyage and Shipwreck

We should be ready to witness for God in any situation.

As you may have guessed from the title, this chapter is another one that is full of adventure. E.G.White is sure to let the reader know that travel at that time was no easy matter.

In the first century of the Christian Era traveling by sea was attended with peculiar hardship and peril. Mariners directed their course largely by the position of the sun and stars; and when these did not appear, and there were indications of storm, the owners of vessels were fearful of venturing into the open sea. During a portion of the year, safe navigation was almost impossible. pg. 439

Regardless of those facts, everything was going well. The authorities allowed Paul to have companions on his journey, so Luke and Aristarchus joined him. They traveled a little while, but the winds soon became unfavorable and they were now somewhat stuck at a place called Fair Havens. Paul strongly suggested that they stay there until the travel season opened up, but the majority of the people wanted to go Phenice, which was a nicer place to be. Therefore the ship sailed to Phenice.

They soon encountered severe weather, and after fourteen days of the storm, people were starting to lose heart. Paul earnestly prayed that everyone's life would be spared, and God granted his request.

Taking advantage of a lull in the tempest, Paul stood forth on the deck and, lifting up his voice, said: "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island." pg. 443

In the following days Paul survived the shipwreck, made it to shore, and even survived being bitten by a poisonous viper. In fact everyone involved survived and did quite well because of Paul.

During the three months that the ship's company remained at Melita, Paul and his fellow laborers improved many opportunities to preach the gospel. In a remarkable manner the Lord wrought through them. For Paul's sake the entire shipwrecked company were treated with great kindness; all their wants were supplied, and upon leaving Melita they were liberally provided with everything needful for their voyage. . . . pg. 446

If I had been in a similar situation, would I have acted and reacted in a similar way? Crises are great opportunities to witness, and they are also great opportunities to be selfish. May our faith be strengthened so that we can have such a positive influence in negative situations.