Paul has arrived in Rome. He has been granted the privilege of his own house to stay in, he just has to be guarded by a soldier- the first known case of house arrest.
Paul's zeal for the Jews has not diminished one bit. But, the Lord has a way of making your prayers come to pass.
Acts 28:17-22- And it came to pass, that after three days Paul 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. 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.
Paul called all of the leaders of the Jews who were in Rome to come to him. He wanted to plead his cause to them.
When they arrived and he spoke his piece, he found out that they had no idea of anything that had occurred in Israel- no letters had been sent, no messengers had been dispatched.
They did, however, have a question. They wanted to know what was up with the Christians. They'd heard that Jews back home were very upset about it, but they didn't know what it was or why they were upset.
Acts 28:23-29- 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.
Paul set a day when the Jews would come to him and he would give them the gospel! What an amazing thing! His zeal for the Jewish people was recognized by God that day in an opportunity to preach the deliverance of the Messiah to his own people in Italy!
Some believed, and some didn't. But, Paul wasn't surprised. The Bible foretold a long time ago that the Messiah would be rejected by the Jews and that in so doing the door to the Gentiles would be opened.
The time of the Apostles was almost over.
The signs and wonders which were given to persuade the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah had ended.
II Timothy 4:20- Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Paul wasn't able to heal Trophimus. And, he was constantly with a doctor.
Colossians 4:14- Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Paul had learned some grace. He was alone with his doctor friend, but he saw the value of someone he had once thought unreliable.
II Timothy 4:11- Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
John Mark had also grown in grace, and was now a willing missionary.
These two men, Luke the physician and John Mark, would be forever changed by their time with Paul. Both would go on to write a copy of the gospel of Jesus Christ from their vantage point and remembrance- Luke and Mark.
Paul saw many people give their hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus Christ while he was in Rome, including some of the Roman Empire's ruler's family.
Phil 4:22- All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
All who passed by Paul had the chance to hear about the Savior who gave his life for mankind!
Acts 28:30-31- 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.
But, no one lives forever. Paul knew that his time on earth was soon to end. He would stand before a Caesar who didn't like the Christians, and his punishment for that would be death by beheading.
II Tim 4:6-8- For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
But, Paul wasn't afraid. He knew what was waiting for him- His Savior, His mansion, His rest!
Paul wasn't the only apostle who lost their life for the sake of the gospel:
History says that Simon Peter was crucified upside down.
His brother, Andrew, was crucified in Greece. He hung on the cross for two days preaching to all who passed by before his soul went to heaven.
Philip, who led the Ethiopian Eunich to the Lord, was crucified in Egypt.
Bartholomew was killed out East, some say in the country of India.
Doubting Thomas was no coward. He took the gospel to Greece, as well as India, where he died by a spear.
James Levi was the second longest living apostle. He was stoned to death at the age of 94.
Thaddeus Jude was crucified in the Asian Minor country of Turkey.
Simon Zelotes went to Africa and then up to the island country of England where he was crucified.
By 90 A.D. the apostle that remained was John the Beloved. It was said that the wicked Caesar, or Emperor, had tried to boil him alive, but he didn't die. You see, John hadn't finished his race, yet.
Remember when Jesus was talking with His disciples after he resurrected and Peter asked what John would do? Jesus replied that if John tarried until Jesus' return that it didn't matter, because Peter had his own job to do.
Many people thought that meant John wouldn't die. But, that's not what Jesus said. John would live to see Jesus' return. But, not because he would live for 2,000 years!
God was going to work an amazing miracle. The last one any apostle would see while on the earth. One that would show those who would dare to read it the future!
The Church Age series coloring pages
Paul's zeal for the Jews has not diminished one bit. But, the Lord has a way of making your prayers come to pass.
Acts 28:17-22- And it came to pass, that after three days Paul 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. 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.
Paul called all of the leaders of the Jews who were in Rome to come to him. He wanted to plead his cause to them.
When they arrived and he spoke his piece, he found out that they had no idea of anything that had occurred in Israel- no letters had been sent, no messengers had been dispatched.
They did, however, have a question. They wanted to know what was up with the Christians. They'd heard that Jews back home were very upset about it, but they didn't know what it was or why they were upset.
Acts 28:23-29- 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.
Paul set a day when the Jews would come to him and he would give them the gospel! What an amazing thing! His zeal for the Jewish people was recognized by God that day in an opportunity to preach the deliverance of the Messiah to his own people in Italy!
Some believed, and some didn't. But, Paul wasn't surprised. The Bible foretold a long time ago that the Messiah would be rejected by the Jews and that in so doing the door to the Gentiles would be opened.
The time of the Apostles was almost over.
The signs and wonders which were given to persuade the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah had ended.
II Timothy 4:20- Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Paul wasn't able to heal Trophimus. And, he was constantly with a doctor.
Colossians 4:14- Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
Paul had learned some grace. He was alone with his doctor friend, but he saw the value of someone he had once thought unreliable.
II Timothy 4:11- Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
John Mark had also grown in grace, and was now a willing missionary.
These two men, Luke the physician and John Mark, would be forever changed by their time with Paul. Both would go on to write a copy of the gospel of Jesus Christ from their vantage point and remembrance- Luke and Mark.
Paul saw many people give their hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus Christ while he was in Rome, including some of the Roman Empire's ruler's family.
Phil 4:22- All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar's household.
All who passed by Paul had the chance to hear about the Savior who gave his life for mankind!
Acts 28:30-31- 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.
But, no one lives forever. Paul knew that his time on earth was soon to end. He would stand before a Caesar who didn't like the Christians, and his punishment for that would be death by beheading.
II Tim 4:6-8- For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
But, Paul wasn't afraid. He knew what was waiting for him- His Savior, His mansion, His rest!
Paul wasn't the only apostle who lost their life for the sake of the gospel:
History says that Simon Peter was crucified upside down.
His brother, Andrew, was crucified in Greece. He hung on the cross for two days preaching to all who passed by before his soul went to heaven.
Philip, who led the Ethiopian Eunich to the Lord, was crucified in Egypt.
Bartholomew was killed out East, some say in the country of India.
Doubting Thomas was no coward. He took the gospel to Greece, as well as India, where he died by a spear.
James Levi was the second longest living apostle. He was stoned to death at the age of 94.
Thaddeus Jude was crucified in the Asian Minor country of Turkey.
Simon Zelotes went to Africa and then up to the island country of England where he was crucified.
By 90 A.D. the apostle that remained was John the Beloved. It was said that the wicked Caesar, or Emperor, had tried to boil him alive, but he didn't die. You see, John hadn't finished his race, yet.
Remember when Jesus was talking with His disciples after he resurrected and Peter asked what John would do? Jesus replied that if John tarried until Jesus' return that it didn't matter, because Peter had his own job to do.
Many people thought that meant John wouldn't die. But, that's not what Jesus said. John would live to see Jesus' return. But, not because he would live for 2,000 years!
God was going to work an amazing miracle. The last one any apostle would see while on the earth. One that would show those who would dare to read it the future!
The Church Age series coloring pages
