Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 36-39
     New Testament Reading: Acts 28

Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance (Acts 28: 30-31).

Luke summarizes the two years of Paul’s first Roman imprisonment in two short verses. But the brevity of Luke’s account should not lead one to suppose that these were two years of inactivity. During this first imprisonment, Paul took advantage of the opportunity to write the so-called prison epistles, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. We also know he wrote to the church at Laodicea (Colossians 4:16) and, most likely, Paul wrote to many other churches and individual Christians instructing and encouraging them as well.

Paul could live in his own rented house; however, he would be guarded by soldiers. These soldiers chained themselves to Paul and rotated every six hours. The change of guards throughout the day provided Paul a steady stream of new people to share the Gospel with. The Romans thought Paul was chained to the guards, but I’m certain that Paul saw it as they were chained to him—a captive audience to witness to.

Apparently, it was effective and many of the soldiers came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ because Paul wrote, Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard, and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is because I am in Christ (Philippians 1: 12-13). (See also Phil 4:22)

It is quite possible that during this time, Paul and Luke met Theophilus and Luke wrote his two accounts, the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Timothy, John Mark, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Justus, and Demas were also with him during this time. Paul used the opportunity with these men to the best advantage and discipled them. Pay careful attention, then, to how you live — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). Paul mentioned many of his friends and co-workers in the letters he wrote, indicating that they had visited Paul during this period as well.

Dr. Luke ended his book before Paul’s case had been heard, so he could not give us the results of the trial. We have every reason to believe that Paul was indeed released and that he resumed his ministry, probably traveling as far as Spain. Paul wrote his letters to Timothy and Titus during this later period and from them, we know Paul visited many of the churches he had started on his missionary journeys. He had left Titus in Crete, Trophimus in Miletus, and Timothy in Ephesus to strengthen the saints and build up the churches. Paul would once again be imprisoned in Rome and eventually martyred there.

Luke did not write this book simply to record ancient history. He wrote to encourage the church in every age to be faithful to the Lord and carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. His closing words not only spoke of these two years but also summarized the ministry of Paul and is a worthy example for all Christians to emulate. And he welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (Acts 28:31)