The Book of Acts

Paul Preaches at Rome under Guard

Acts 28:17-31 _NLT

“Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders.”

Three days after arriving at Rome, Paul invited the leaders of the Jewish community to meet with him in his own quarters. He wanted to learn what they had heard from Jerusalem about him and to find out their attitude toward him. Through their contacts in the imperial court and with their money, these men could, if they so desired, support the charges against him. Since they undoubtedly knew something about his case, he wanted to defend himself before them. Also, he hoped the occasion would be an opportunity for proclaiming the message about Jesus the Messiah and that some would respond to it. 

The reason for his incarceration in Jerusalem was due to some Jews rejecting what Paul said about Jesus being the long prophesied Messiah. The objectors took exception to this way of thinking and wished to have Paul put to death because of it. Fortunately, the Romans, who considered themselves civilized, didn’t believe it was just or fair to put someone to death without a fair trial. His Jewish accusers had Paul stand before Governors’ Felix and Festus and King Agrippa II. While these Roman leaders found nothing that should be punishable by death, they were forced to honor Paul’s request for an audience with Caesar, which kept him alive to preach to Romans as he awaited his trial. The trial under Caesar isn’t found in the Book of Acts, but for the content of what he may have said, we can look again at his sermon in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch ^{(Acts 13:17-41)} and the letter he sent to the Romans.

When Paul was finished explaining the reason for his being held the immediate response of the Roman Jewish leaders to his address was surprising. Apparently they did not want to get involved in light of their recent experience. Having been expelled from Rome in 49 or 50 A.D., because of riots about Christianity in their community ^{(Acts 18:2)} and having only recently returned to their city after Claudius's death in 54, they were simply not prepared in 61 A.D. to become involved in Paul's case one way or another. They doubtless had their own opinions about it. But (1) the Jerusalem authorities had not requested them to get involved; (2) Paul was a Roman citizen who had had essentially favorable hearings before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa II; and (3) his case was now to be tried before Caesar himself. So they wanted to have as little as possible to do with Paul and Christianity. But they did say that they were willing at some future time to hear his views on "this sect."

When the day arrived to hear Paul speak, there was an even bigger crowd to hear him speak. The apostle used the OT to teach the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah ... the fulfillment of all God’s promises. It should be noted that Paul’s letter to the Roman believers, which was written 10 years earlier, reveals Paul’s ongoing dialogue with the Jews in Rome.

Paul spent the next two years confined to a rental house under guard. He wasn’t dismayed or discouraged, for even under such circumstances Paul was able to receive visitors, teach, and preach. He wrote letters to Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians which were commonly referred to as “The Prison Letters”.

Tradition tells us that Paul was released after two years of house arrest in Rome and then left on his fourth missionary journey. Tradition also tells us that a prosecution had two years to present their case and it is presumed that time simply ran out.

It is thought that God didn’t feel it necessary to continue the early church’s history, since the gospel would be passed on thru those who heard Paul and others preach and received Christ. The Book of Acts wasn’t about the life of Paul, but rather about the spread of the “Good News” of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Acts also shows the mighty miracles that took place and the incredible testimonies of men like Paul, Stephen, James, and Peter.  All the ministry done was prompted by the Holy Spirit working thru ordinary people.  The message shared back then is the same message we can take to our world as advocates and ambassadors for Christ today.

This concludes our study of Acts. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did preparing it.

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; Expositor's Bible Commentary: New Testament