BIBLE STUDY LESSON 22

SERIES V --- JOURNEYS FOR YESHUA

ROME AT LAST

PAUL ARRIVES IN ROME

From Acts 28:7-31

The shipwreck was near the estate of Publius, governor of Malta, which at that time was called Malta. Publius entertained the victims of the shipwreck, feeding them for three days. When Paul learned that Publius’ father had fever and dysentery, he laid hands on him, prayed, and healed him. Other people of the island heard about this, and soon those who were sick or diseased came for healing. This caused the islanders to show much respect for Paul and his companions. At the end of three months on Malta, the shipwrecked people made ready to sail on to Rome. The people of the island were so grateful for Paul’s healing ministry that they supplied many of the needs for the rest of the trip. An Alexandrian ship, with the Twin Brothers for its figurehead, had wintered at Malta. The shipwrecked men resumed their voyage on this vessel, with their first stop at Syracuse, where they stayed for three days. Rhegium was the next stop, and then with the help of a south wind, they arrived the next day at Puteoli. Some believers met Paul and his companions at Puteoli, persuaded them to stay with them for seven days, and then sent them on their way to Rome. The believers in Rome had heard of Paul’s arrival and went to meet him at the Market of Appius and the Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked YHVH and was encouraged. In Rome, Paul was permitted to live where he chose, with a soldier assigned to guard him. Three days after he arrived, he invited the local Jewish leaders to meet with him. This is what he told them: [Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or their customs, the Jews in Jerusalem had me arrested and delivered to the Roman authorities for prosecution. The Romans in Caesarea gave me a fair trial and wanted to set me free, for I have done nothing to deserve execution, but since the Jewish leaders there objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar. Though this was wrong, I do not hold it against them. I have invited you here today so that we might talk, and that I might tell you that I wear this chain because I believe the Moshiach has come.] The Jewish leaders answered, [We have heard nothing bad about you, and we have received no letters from Judea concerning you. We do want to hear what you have to say concerning this sect, for we have heard that many oppose it everywhere.] A date for the next meeting was arranged and the Jewish people came in large numbers to his home to listen to Paul from morning until evening. From the Law of Moses and the Prophets, he tried to show them that Yeshua was the promised Moshiach. Some believed, others did not. The two sides argued about the matter until it was time to leave, with this last word from Paul: [Listen to what Ruach HaKodesh said through the prophet Isaiah. ‘Tell My people that they will listen, but not understand; they will see, but not perceive; for their hearts are closed and their ears are deaf. They refuse to see or hear lest they understand with their hearts and turn from sin to Me so that I might heal them.’ Let it be clear, then, that this salvation of YHVH is also for Gentiles, and they listen.] There was much discussion among the Jews after they had heard Paul and his teaching. For two years, Paul remained in his rented home and welcomed all who came to listen. He told about the Kingdom of YHVH and taught about the Adonai Yeshua Moshiach openly, with no restrictions.

COMMENTARY

THE APPIAN WAY

The Romans were master road builders. They laid fifty-three thousand miles of roads in a giant web that connected Rome with every province in the Empire. The remains of those roads have been found in many parts of Europe, Africa and Asia Minor. The Appian Way was called {the queen of roads} because it was the oldest Roman highway. It ran south of Rome, passing through Capua on its way to the seaport of Brunsidium. Although it was built in 312 B.C., the Appian Way still carries travellers today. It has often been repaired during the past twenty centuries, but the original Roman paving stones still exist in many places. Modern visitors can marvel at the skilful work of the Roman engineers. The Appian Way is more than three hundred and fifty miles long. Every stone in the ancient road was cut and laid by hand. During peacetime, Roman soldiers worked on the roads, aided by slaves and prisoners of war. The work was difficult and exhausting. Before the paving stones could be laid in place, the ground had to be carefully prepared. The builders dug a wide trench, removing the loose soil until they struck bedrock. Then they filled the trench with several layers of gravel, each packed down firmly with heavy ramrods. When the roadbed was ready, the heavy paving stones were set in place. Each stone was carefully cut so that it fit tightly against its neighbour without mortar. The centre of the road was built slightly higher than the sides so that water would drain off the edges. The surface was polished to form a smooth track for the wheels of carts and chariots.