Ep 457 – Acts 28:11-22

So, Paul finally made it to Rome and Luke records this auspicious and long-awaited even in Acts 28:11-22. The interesting thing is that on two separate occasions, after having landed on Roman soil, Paul and Luke encountered groups of Christ-followers. They were not alone. The gospel had spread as far as the capital of the Roman empire. This had to have encouraged Paul greatly and reminded him once again of the sovereign plan of God. Paul had been aware of the believers in Rome for some time, having already written to them. And he had a long-standing desire to visit them. Now, his wish had come true. He was going to get the opportunity to encourage them in the faith and to help them grow strong in the Lord (See Romans 1:11-12). But Paul also made an effort to visit the synagogue in Rome, just as he had every other place he had gone on his missionary journeys. Partly, his objective was to let the Jews know why he was there and bring them up to speed about all that had transpired back in Jerusalem. They were far enough away that it's unlikely they would have known the details of all that had happened. And Paul wanted them to hear it from him first. But what Paul desired for them to know was that his chains were the direct result of his message regarding the hope of Israel. In other words, the Messiah. As he had done in so many other places when given the chance to speak with unbelieving Jews, he taught of Jesus being the Messiah. Which led him to speak of Jesus' resurrection. And this time, as he spoke in the synagogue in Rome, Paul found an eager and receptive audience.