Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Paul was a prisoner in Rome. We are told that for two years, he dwelt in his own house under the supervision of a guard. However, Paul did not waste the time […]

Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
Paul was a prisoner aboard a ship bound for Italy. That ship ended up being caught in a huge storm and the ship was destroyed. Paul and the other passengers found themselves upon the island of Melita. Paul was serving his […]

Acts 28:26-27 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.

Paul was a prisoner in Rome and many of the Jewish leaders came to his house and permitted him to share the truth of what he believed. These leaders where naturally against him because of the things that they had heard indicated to them that the things Paul was going to share was a false religion. Nonetheless, they were willing to hear what Paul had to share and they set a time by which they could hear his argument.

Acts 28:23 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.

Paul was a prisoner in Rome. However, rather than being locked up with all the other prisoners, Paul was permitted to dwell by himself in his own house with his own private soldier. Because Paul had his own house, Paul was able to minister more freely then he would have been able to do had he been in prison.

Once Paul reached Rome, one of the first things he did was he called for the Jews. The Jews acknowledged that the Jews in Jerusalem had not sent any message to them regarding Paul. While the Jews had not heard anything about Paul, they had heard about those who preached Jesus and they acknowledged that everything they heard was not good. Nonetheless, they were willing to give Paul audience and as such, they set a day were many of the Jewish leaders came into Paul�s house to hear Paul teach.

Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Paul had been entrusted to a centurion named Julius who was charged with taking him to Italy. Along the way, Paul had warned Julius that they should not proceed any further on their trip because of the weather. However, Julius listened to the master of the ship rather then Paul and now the ship was caught in a great storm.

During the storm, an angel of God appeared unto Paul and told Paul that God�s will had not changed and that Paul would still preach in Rome. The angel also informed Paul that not one life would be lost on the ship although the ship itself would be wrecked.

Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix� room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

Felix was not concerned with justice; he was concerned about maintaining peace. Felix understood that the Jews despised Paul. Even though Felix believed that Paul was innocent, he did not let him go until Paul paid him a bribe. When Felix saw that Paul was not going to pay the bribe, he did not change his ways but instead decided that Paul was going to remain locked up because this would mean that the Jews would like him and it would mean that there would be peace. Evidently Felix did not want too many riots that could cause his superiors to take his authority away.

Acts 24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

Felix had heard the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Evidently, Felix believed Paul�s story over the story given to him by Ananias and Tertullus. However, Felix was corrupt, he desired that Paul purchase his freedom by bribing him with money. Felix may have heard how Paul lived by a different standard, but that still did not stop him from attempting to receive from Paul a bribe in exchange for his release.

What Felix did not understand is that Paul was accountable to God for his actions. Paul had added virtue to his life and as such, while he probably figured out that with a bribe he would be able to obtain a release, if he paid a bribe, he would destroy his testimony. Paul understood that even thinking about paying a bribe to Felix violated at least four things he had told the church that they were supposed to think upon. Taking a bribe would not be true, it would not be honest, it would not be just and it would not be pure.

Philippians 1:24-25 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

Paul may have been in prison in Rome but he knew that his usefulness for God was not over. Paul understood that God still had more work for him to do and as such, Paul could tell the church at Philippi that his chains of bondage was not leading to his immediate death. The reason Paul understood that God had more use for him here on this earth is for the furtherance of the Philippi�s church�s delight in the faith.

Colossians 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Paul had joy even though he was in prison because he had received a report that the church in Colosse was steadfast in their faith. The church not only trusted God during the good times, but when the storms arose, they proved the steadfastness of their faith. Like a lighthouse on a rock in the midst of a storm, their light shone brightly. They did not waiver because they had a solid foundation that they did not forsake.

The church in Colosse could have professed their faith in words only. However, this church was different in that they actually lived their faith on a daily basis. The citizens of Colosse could see that there was something different from the Christians in their community. The Christians lived a different life; the Christians had a faith that far surpassed the faith that non-Christians had in their false gods.

Colossians 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love ye have to all the saints,

Paul was in prison in Rome, a long ways away from the church in Colosse. Paul longed to hear good news from the churches he had ministered to. When Paul would hear a report, he would thank God for the things that the church was doing right. In addition, he let the church know that he had heard good things about them. Paul had heard of both the love and faith demonstrated by the church in Colosse. Paul was probably like a proud papa whose wife just had another baby. Paul was excited about this church that was demonstrating their faith yet not forgetting to love their brethren.

Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Paul salutation to the church of Ephesus reminds us of what is important in the church today. Paul started out by giving them a simple blessing of peace. Paul knew that even though things could be in turmoil, God�s peace could still exist even in the midst of the storm. It is critical that the brethren remember the peace of God in their life and that they do not become distracted by all the storms that surround them.

Ephesians 3:11-12 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Your faith creates in you a boldness to do that which is right in the sight of God. Some people like Paul and Peter were already naturally bold. Individuals like this had no qualms about stepping forth and doing whatever they thought was best. However, without their faith in Jesus, their boldness resulted in trouble. Not everyone has the natural boldness of Paul and Peter. However, all of us will receive boldness from God when we know what the will of God is and we pursue it for our lives.

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.

The book of Acts ends with Paul being a prisoner for two-years. During this period, Paul had great freedom in that rather then sharing a room at the local prison where one soldier watches many prisoners; Paul was permitted to rent his own house where his companions could stay with him. Paul was given his own solider that watched over him in his own house. Because Paul had his own rented house, he was able to minister unto the Christians at Rome since they were able to come unto him while he was in prison.

Acts 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Paul was a prisoner in Rome. Within three days after he arrived in Rome, he called for the leaders of the Jews and asked them to come speak with him. It was then arranged for the Jews to come back on an appointed day to hear the teaching of Paul. They had heard of the sect taught by Paul but it was their belief that it was not well spoken of. Nonetheless, they were willing to give Paul an audience.

Paul may have been a prisoner and was constrained in where he could go but this did not stop him from sending messengers out to bring audiences to him. Paul may be in Rome, but he still desired to preach the gospel to the Jews. He was not going to let the fact that he was a prisoner stop him from preaching the gospel.

Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appi forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

God knew what Paul needed in order to be encouraged. This had not been the easiest trip he had ever taken. Paul was not free to go where he wanted when he wanted even though he had more freedoms on this trip then other prisoners had. Paul is about to reach Rome, and God saw fit to bring to him Christians from great distances who came just to see Paul. The brethren from Appi forum came approximately 90 miles just to see Paul. 90-mile is about a three to four day journey on foot. This would be similar to driving clear across the country. Paul was encouraged because these brethren had traveled a long way and he thanked God for his goodness.

Acts 28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

Paul was a prisoner bound and on his way to Rome. However, as they were traveling through Puteoli, he came across some Christians. The Christians were so glad to see Paul that they invited everyone to stay with them for seven days.

Julius who was in charge of Paul appears not to be in a big hurry to get him to Rome. Paul has proven himself and rather then Paul being the prisoner going where Julius desires, it almost appears that Julius has allowed himself to be constrained by Paul�s scheduled. Paul was permitted to tarry with the Puteoli Christians for seven days and to minister unto them while being ministered to by them.

Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

Paul was aboard a ship bound for Rome. However, a winter storm had arisen that was controlling the ships direction. The sailors could not control the ship and everyone feared that they were about to die. For fourteen days, Paul had not eaten anything. God had told Paul that he was going to preach in Rome and it appeared that a huge storm was going to curtail God�s direction. However, God sent an angel to Paul in the midst of the storm and assured Paul that that God has not changed HIS mind and that everyone would be saved.

Acts 27:11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

Paul was a prisoner being taken to Rome by a centurion named Julius. Paul warned Julius that if he sailed from the port of Lasea that there would be much damage not only to the ship but also to those who were on the ship. However, because the master of the ship felt it was safe to make the trip, Julius listened to the master rather then the cautions of Paul.

Paul as a prisoner did not have the ability to exit the ship. Paul simply could make his appeal to Julius and leave it in Julius� hands whether he listened to Paul�s cautions. Paul was hesitant to board this ship because he perceived danger. Because Paul�s appeal was not headed, Paul was forced to board a boat bounded for disaster. Paul did not have a choice once his authority decided the course they were going to take. Paul had to quietly submit to the will of Julius since the Lord was the one who put Julius over Paul.

Acts 27:3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

Paul was put into the care of Julius and it was Julius� obligation to see that Paul made it to Rome. However, Paul had gained the favor of Julius and Julius permitted Paul to go off on his own and visit his friends. Remember that during this time, if a prisoner escaped, the prison guard was killed. Julius believed that Paul was a man of integrity and would return at the appointed time. Julius put his own life on the line and permitted Paul to leave his watchful care.

Acts 24:23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

Paul was transferred to the custody of Felix. After the Jews and Paul had both made their case, Felix stated that he desired to hear one more side, the side of the chief captain. However, in the mean time Felix allowed Paul to have some freedom. It is apparent that Felix would have been willing to let Paul go if Paul or his friends simply paid him some bribe money. For over two years, Paul was left in chains because he refused to pay a bribe. However, for those two years, while he was a prisoner, he did have great freedom.

Acts 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

The Philippi jailer went from almost killing himself and residing in hell for eternity to dieing to self and living for God in a matter of minutes. The Philippi jailer saw the open prison doors and he knew this meant that the prisoners escaped and that he would be killed. The Philippi jailer was prepared to take his own life so as not to face hearing he had failed. He simply felt his failures made his life not worth living.

However, out of the darkness a voice called to him and told him not to kill himself because no one had escaped. It was the voice of Paul who had seen God use an earthquake to release him from his chains and release the prison doors. God did not send the earthquake so that Paul could escape, God sent the earthquake to open the eyes of the Philippi jailer so that the jailer and his family might believe in God and be saved.

Acts 16:23, 25 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: � And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Paul and Silas were persecuted for doing that which is right in the eyes of God. They were beaten because they cast a demon out of a young lady. They were thrown into prison because they preached the gospel of Christ. God allowed evil to happen to them while they were doing HIS will. One would naturally think that Paul and Silas reaction would be one of rebellion. Nonetheless, Paul and Silas prayed so loud that the prisoners heard them pray. Paul and Silas let their voices be heard in song at midnight.

Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Herod had just killed James the brother of John and he was going to kill Peter also. The situation was impossible so the church did the only thing it could do, pray. The night before Peter was supposed to be killed, God sent his angle which enabled Peter to escape through four quaternion of soldiers. After Peter had escaped he went to John�s house but he was required to stay outside for a period of time because the young lady who heard his voice was so glad to hear he was alive that she forgot to let him in and because no one else believed the young lady that Peter was actually alive.