lessons from paul's journey to rome
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Paul's third missionary journey brought him to Jerusalem, where he was arrested. He was taken to Caesarea and stood trial before governors Felix and Festus. Paul appealed to Caesar and was sent to Rome under guard by sea. During the difficult journey, Paul demonstrated great faith in God through his calmness, courage, and assurance that all would be saved despite facing storms, as God had promised. After many trials, Paul arrived in Rome and spent two years under house arrest preaching the gospel.
lessons from paul's journey to rome
- 3. 3rd missionary journey brought Paul to Jerusalem (Acts 21:15-17)
- 4. Sequence of events which led to Rome • Jerusalem – “rescued” by Claudias Lysias (chief captain) – Acts 21:31-33 • “Saved” and taken to Caesarea – 23:23 • Before Felix (governor) • Before Festus (governor) • Before Herod Agrippa • Would have been set free – 26:32
- 5. Key statement And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. (Acts 23:11)
- 6. Paul’s links with Rome • Act 16:37 – Roman citizenship • Acts 19:21 – “I must see Rome” • Acts 22:25 - Roman citizenship • Acts 23:11 – must bear witness at Rome • Acts 25:11 – Appeals to Caesar • Acts 26:32 – Would have been freed
- 7. Journey to Rome (Act 27&28) • Paul approx. 54-56 years old (AD 60-61) • Approximately 1,500 miles • Luke records events in great detail • Employs many nautical terms • Why so much detail? • Provides many lessons for us
- 8. .Adramyttium Changed ship (27v6) – much larger grain ship (v38) Slow journey – ignored Paul’s advice (v7-11) Terrible storm – general loss of hope (12-20)
- 9. Lessons • Great Faith • Key statement of Act 23:11 • Confirmed by Acts 27:22-25 (prayer)
- 10. Faith 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. (Acts 27:22-25)
- 11. Lessons • Calmness, confidence, patience in the face of “terrible” circumstances • Prudence (27:10) • Courageous and optimistic (v22, 25) • Vigilance (v31) • Practical action (v33-36)
- 12. Great loss • Loss of everything – Cargo (27:18,38) – Boat • But all lives preserved • Lesson for us - priorities
- 13. Believer’s journey through the sea of life “The circumstances that can guide us in our journey through life can be perceived in this chapter (27) of natural events. We commence in the ship of death (v2); then find our haven in Christ (v8), but through our own folly may threaten to make shipwreck of our faith. However we will win through if we follow the inspiring example of Christ and Paul. On our little ship, all will be well, notwithstanding storms that may be faced. In spite of indiscretions in leaving such harbours as the Fair Havens, we will, through trouble triumph at last (14:22)” Expositor – G.E. Mansfield
- 14. Changed ship (v6) – much larger grain ship (v38) Slow journey – Paul’s advice not taken Terrible storm – general loss of hope (v20) After 14 days ate and prayed etc (v33-35)
- 15. Food – Breaking of Bread • Imitation of the Last Supper • Faith and salvation • All escaped
- 16. All escaped to land (Malta) –v44 in fulfilment of Paul’s words (v31)
- 17. Incidents in Malta • Paul in Malta for 3 months (28:11) • 1. Venomous snake – came to no harm (v3-6) – Changed view, murderer to a God • Serpent on the pole – Num 21:6-9, John 3:14, Mark 16:18 • 2. Healing of Publius’ father (v8) and others (v9)
- 18. Serpent power - lessons • Sin and sinful nature • Have faith and God will rescue us from the power of sin • Will do us no eternal harm • Sin should be continually shaken off
- 19. 3 days at Syracuse (28v12) “where we found brethren” (v14) Stayed 7 days Arrived at Rome (v16)
- 20. Journey • Following great trials and tribulation • Reached safety • Extreme version of the life of all true believers including us
- 21. In Rome • House arrest – chained to a soldier • After 3 days speaks to the leaders of the Jews – asserts his innocence & injustice • All done “for the hope of Israel” (v20) • Preached the gospel to many (v23-24) • Extended preaching to Gentiles (v28) • 2 years preaching “with all confidence” (v30-31)
- 22. Threes (Acts 27) • v7 – lodged with Publius for 3 days • v11 – 3 months in Malta • v12 –Stayed 3 days in Syracuse • v15 – 3 taverns • v17 – called the chief of the Jews together after 3 days
- 23. Epistles written from Rome • Ephesians • Philippians – epistle of “joy” • Colossians • Philemon
- 24. After release from Rome • Conjecture • ? 2 imprisonments at Rome • Evidence – 2 Tim 4:16-17 • Journey gleaned from Paul’s epistles
- 25. After release from Rome Place Reference Comments Philippi Phil 2:18-24 Follows Timothy Colosse Philemon v22 Jerusalem/Judea Heb 13:23 Crete Titus 1:5 Leaves Titus Nicopolis Titus 3:12 Winters there Spain Rom 15:24 Miletum 2 Tim 4:20 Trophimus sick Troas 2 Tim 4:13 Left cloke with Carpus Corinth 2 Tim 4:20 Rome 2 Tim 4:10-12 With Titus
- 26. After release from Rome To Spain From Spain . . . . . . . . . .
- 27. 2nd imprisonment • ? Sent to Mamertine Prison – harsh • Paul knew he was near to death (2 Tim 4:6) • Cared for by Luke (2 Tim 4:11) and Onesiphorus (2 Tim 1:16-17) • Abandoned by many others • Tradition that he was beheaded on Nero’s orders
- 28. Lessons for us Great faith – Belief in God – Prayer – Calmness – Confidence – Patience – Prudence – Courage – Vigilance – Practical action – Set priorities – Preach with confidence – shake off sin
- 29. Conclusions • Wonderful example of Paul • “Must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22) • Catalogue of tribs. – 2 Cor 11:23-28 • “Consider him (Jesus but also Paul) …… lest ye (we) be wearied and faint in your (our) minds” (Heb 12:3)