Acts 28:11-21

Arrival at Rome

11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.

12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,

14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.

15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

Paul’s Ministry at Rome

17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.

20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.

Context

• How do we see God’s perfect plan finally fulfilled in Paul’s arrival to Rome? (Acts 9:15, 23:11, 26:16-18, 27:24, 23-25)

Reflection

• How had the Gospel already made it there ahead of Paul? (Acts 2:10, Romans 1:15)
• What 2 things did Paul do when he saw the brethren? (Acts 28:15)
• What did Paul mean by ‘for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain?’ (Romans 9:1, 2, Philippians 1:13)

Testimony Time

• How has God kept His promise to bring you to exactly where you are today? (Psalm 12:6, 7, 105:8, Jeremiah 29:11) 
• Who are you encouraging? (Hebrews 10:24, 25)