Acts 28:11-16

Summary retelling of Acts 28:11-16

After waiting out the stormy season for three months, Paul and his associates are able to leave the island on a boat headed for Rome.  Eventually they came to Puteoli, which is the seaport for the town of Naples.  In Puteoli they found a Christian community that urged Paul and his associates to stay with them.  Then they went on to Rome.  When the Christians of Rome heard that Paul was coming, they went out to meet him and welcome him.  Paul gave thanks and was encouraged.  In Rome, Paul was able to find a home for himself and live their under the watchfulness of a guard.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We’re not sure if all 276 shipwrecked victims boarded the boat or if it was just Paul, his companions, Julius, and what soldiers Julius had with him.  Either way, they board a boat having had to wait three months for the storms to cease.  Paul warned them earlier that ignoring his spiritual advice would lead to failure; and now God follows through on that promise.  Julius and the captain of the ship wanted to push ahead; they ended up waiting anyways.

How does this part of the story speak to our ability to choose to work with God or against God?  Who ultimately wins when we choose our own ways instead of working with God?

Second Thought:

When Paul and his associates get to Puteoli, they are welcomed by believers and stay seven days.  But what is amazing about this story is the untold portion.  Remember that Paul is still technically a prisoner.  It is Julius who gets to say where Paul does and does not go.  Here we have a Roman centurion who is a day or so journey away from being freed of his responsibility for Paul; yet this Roman soldier willingly waits seven days so Paul can stay in Puteoli with Christians. Julius demonstrates incredible grace to Paul.

It is likely – although untold and thus speculation – that Julius has himself begun the process of becoming Christian.  Think of everything that he has seen.  Think of the many conversations that he and Paul must have had along the way.  Think of the trust that Julius has had to place in Paul from time to time.  It could be that Julius is converting to Christianity and this time in Puteoli is a time and a place to really learn what a congregation of believers is all about.  After all, once he delivers Paul to Rome he is no doubt expected to return to Jerusalem and pick up the leadership of his troops that were left behind in Jerusalem.  It is very likely that the unspoken part of this passage is that this week had as much to do with Julius as it had to do with Paul spending time among Christians.

What can you learn from this passage about the effect of a steady witness for God that Paul displayed in the life of Julius?  Is this an inspirational witness?

Third Thought:

Once in Rome, Paul is not kept in prison.  Paul is able to live “on probation” so to speak.  This would make sense.  Remember that Herod Agrippa and Festus both agreed that they had no legal charge to hold Paul – rather the charge was according to the customs of the Jews.  In today’s standard it would be like asking a police officer to arrest someone for wanting to worship on Saturday night instead of Sunday morning.  It is likely that the local police would simply not care because it is out of their jurisdiction.  All of this goes to illustrate one point: God is gracious.  God has cared for Paul.  From arrest in Jerusalem to trial in Rome, God was there to provide what Paul needed to get the job done.

Do you live like God can provide for you every day regardless of your circumstances?  What does that kind of life look like? 

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 28:17-22