Dear Friends,
Greetings in Christ!
In our last post, Paul and co headed for Rome. Visiting Rome today is truly amazing, but visiting Rome in Paul’s day must have been breathtaking. Yet, even if Paul was not a prisoner, which he was, I doubt he would have been interested in enjoying any of Rome’s amenities, beyond a curious perusal. Paul declared plainly that he sought a better country, that is, an heavenly.
In fact, while Rome may be impressive from a human perspective, from God’s point of view Rome is a monstrosity, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly, a seven-headed beast with ten horns, great iron teeth, and brass claws, that devours its victims and stamps the residue with the feet of it.
Paul, on the other hand, is a simple living stone, hurtling towards Rome like the smooth stone that David hurled at Goliath. Just as Rome was not built in a day, it will not be conquered overnight. Yet, that is how Scripture ends. Jesus is about to begin the process, and Paul is his instrument. So are you and I, every time we share the gospel.
Father, fill us each with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we proceed with our study in Acts. We ask this in Jesus’ name, the name above all names. Amen.
Acts 28:15-20
15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum [40 miles from Rome], and The three taverns [31 miles from Rome]: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
As Paul travels toward Rome on the Appian Way, the Christians start coming to meet him. Today, the section of the Appian Way leading into Rome is a ten-mile-long open-air museum. I did not make it as far as The three taverns, but I saw some of the other things Paul passed along the way as he neared Rome. Paul walked by the tomb of Caecilia Metella. He walked by several Columbaria, some of which were there hundreds of years before Paul arrived.
A section of The Appian Way
Mausoleum of Caecilia Metella
Circular Mausoleum
On The Appian Way
Another view from The Appian Way
Another site on the Appian Way I found interesting was the traditional site where Peter allegedly met Jesus and said, “Domine, quo vadis?” — “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied that He was going to Rome to be crucified again. Yet the Bible says that Jesus was only crucified once, just as Moses was only supposed to smite the rock once. (Heb 7:27; 9:28; cf Num 20:7-12) Moses was supposed to speak to the rock the second time, but he smote it again twice, and for that reason he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land.
Paul’s Christian friends are happy to greet him now, but it will not be long before Rome starts persecuting the Christians and they forsake Paul. (II Tim 4:10f)
16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
Why did Paul have to be chained (v 20) to a Roman soldier? So the soldier couldn’t get away.
17 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.
18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
20 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.
Acts 28:15-20
As Acts is coming to a close, Paul is meeting with the chief of the Jews in Rome, explaining what has happened, and why. Paul always met with the Jews when he went somewhere new. (Rom 1:16) Priscilla and Aquila were expelled by Claudius, but Jews were allowed to return after Claudius’ death in AD 54. Hence, the Jews Paul meets with in Rome. In our next post, we will read more about Paul’s meeting with the Jews in Rome.
Paul will eventually be acquitted, but persecution is on the horizon. In our day, they are still excavating the catacombs that sprawl for miles and miles around the outskirts of Rome. There are some sixty of these underground labyrinths, and some go on for 12-14 miles. The Catacombs of St Sebastian, for example, have five levels that extend for 13 miles. According to my guide, the Catacombs of Domitilla have more than 100,000 tombs. Some sources say 150,000 — and that is just one catacomb out of sixty. The guides caution tourists not to stray because it is easy to get so lost down there that you cannot find your way back. These catacombs are where the early Christians martyred by Rome are buried. The Catacombs of Domitilla have an underground basilica, constructed in the fourth century. (Since only five catacombs are open to the public, one wonders what curious finds the others might contain.)
Eventually, Christianity triumphed over paganism, but in many ways, the changes were merely superficial. Jupiter was renamed Peter and Venus became Mary. Saturnalia and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (the Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun) became Christmas. Today, the ancient Pantheon in Rome contains statues of Christian heroes, replacing the images of the Roman gods that once were there, but these images do not glorify God. They glorify man.
Paul had many Roman friends. (Rom 16) Some were even of Caesar’s household. (Phil 4:22) However, the spirit behind the powers that be in Rome is anything but friendly. The day is coming when all will see Rome’s true colors:
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:5
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4
In other words, put your trust in the Bible, not the ‘Church’.
Father, forgive me for trusting in philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, and not in your Son. I receive Him as my personal Saviour. I repent of all my sin, and put my faith in your perfect word as my final authority in all matters of faith and practice. I trust in your Son alone, by faith alone, to save me. I pray this in Jesus’ name, the name above all names. Amen.
