Friday, February 18, 2011

Paul's Final Chapter...

Acts 28:15 (NLT)
The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, ...

- I wonder how they heard? It's not like someone received a phone call or telegram. I guess because Paul's journey had taken longer than expected, a letter or traveller from Jerusalem had arrived by land?

Acts 28:21-22 (NLT)
They replied, "We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here.

- This seems to shoot down my theory above about how they heard. Another option might be that word came via the Romans who were expecting Paul as an "official guest." So perhaps a military or aministrative dispatch was the source for the statement in vs. 15...

[22] ...the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere."

- Interesting glimpse into the situation for believers of that day.

Acts 28:30-31 (NLT)
For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, [31] boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.

- During his confinement, Paul wrote many of his letters which have become important parts of our New Testament. He must have had a lot of time to digest the implications of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ and to expound these insights in his letters.

It is believed that Paul was eventually executed in Rome, which is strange considering the lack of any serious charge against him under Roman law.

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