Bound for Rome

Paul’s journey to Rome…

was met with many difficulties…

He travelled as a prisoner…bound in chains.

He suffered perils at sea…and shipwreck.

He was stranded on an island…with Barbarians.

And bitten by a deadly viper...

And yet, he continued on…

Preaching. Healing. Overcoming.

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:  Acts 19:11

And so he sailed on…

ever fulfilling what God paced before him…

And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.  

Acts 28:11-14

Upon their arrival in Rome…

Paul was given some liberty…

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.   Acts 28:16

And after three days…

he called the chief of the Jews together…

…and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, 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 ought to accuse my nation of.

For this cause therefore have I called for you,

to see you, and to speak with you:

because that for the hope of Israel

I am bound with this chain.

Acts 28:17-20

And they said unto him…

We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.   Acts 28:21-22

And so he taught them…

from morning till evening…

expounding the Kingdom of God…

and persuading them of Christ.

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

And some believed the things which were spoken,

and some believed not.

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

Saying, Go unto this people, and say…

Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand;

and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

For the heart of this people is waxed gross,

and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed;

lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart, and should be converted,

and I should heal them.

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.   Acts 28:23-30

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.   Acts 28:31

Steadfast. Valiant. Unwavering. Fixed.

Paul labored  among them…

with one goal in mind…

In his own words…

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

2 Corinthians 5:9-11

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds;

but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things

for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation

which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.  

2 Timothy 2:9-10

What are you laboring for?