Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 66, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1916 — FROM MELITA TO ROME [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FROM MELITA TO ROME

Acts SO. 31.—November t». The Journey to Romo Accomplished. Meeting With the Brethren Fresh Evidences of Brotherly Love St. Paul Calls Together the Leaders Amongst the Jews at Rome The Gospel Proclaimed and Expounded. **l am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” —Romans 1:16. eARLY tn the following spring Centurion Julius and his soldiers sailed from Melita with St Paul and the other prisoners, Luke and Aristarchus accompanying the Apostle. The voyage was effected without special incident the landing being made at Puteoli. the seaport of Rome, which is one hundred and fifty miles inland. Here they tarried seven days, the centurion awaiting orders from Rome respecting the disposal of his prisoners. The delay afforded St. Paul an opportunity to meet with a little band of

Christians residing at Puteoli Doubtless he sent word to the Christians residing at Rome, whom he repeatedly declared that he longed to meet and whom the Lord promised that he should meet. The journey to Rome was made on foot. En route the Apos-

tle was frequently cheered by evidences of the Christian love of the brethren. Some of these met him at Appii Forum, forty-three miles distant from Rome; and another delegation met him at The Three Taverns, thirty miles from the great city. Doubtless the brethren came on the journey for their own refreshment and joy, not realizing, perhaps, that the Apostle needed this evidence of love. “In His Own Hired House.'* The fact that there were no charges of an evil character against St. Paul, and the further fact that the centurion who had him in charge during the voyage became his friend, were quite sufficient reasons why he should; not be treated as an ordinary prisoner, but should ,be permitted to live in his own hired house under the care of a soldier to whom he was lightly chained. However, although not permitted to go at liberty, nevertheless he was able to receive his friends and others who called upon him.

It is difficult to estimate how much Divine providence had to do with these arrangements. Moreover, the soldier on guard was changed every few hours, so that probably the Apostle came into close contact with at least six soldiers dally. Thus gradually he probably had contact with the entire imperial guard. Thus many were brought into contact with Christian teaching and example. It Is claimed that through some of these soldiers the Gospel was carried to France, Germany and even Great Britain. St. Paul must have had some financial means. It is assumed that by this time he had come into his patrimony. The Scriptures intimate that Felix held him captive at Caesarea in hope of receiving a bribe for his release, evidently having some information respecting St. Paul's finances. The Lord's servant was not slow in using his God-given privileges. First of all he met the Christian brethren. But, as early as the third day after his arrival, he sent for the Jewish leaders and officers of the synagogues, of which there were seven in Rome.- He desired to give them information at first-hand respecting his presence there as a prisoner and to preach to them the Gospel. He explained that, although a prisoner at the instance of the Jews in Palestine, he was not disloyal to his nation or its customs. He had been pronounced innocent at the Roman Court there, but had been compelled to appeal to Caesar for his safety, although even then he was making no accusation against his countrymen. He then proposed-that gladly would he explain to them the good news that the long-expected Messiah had come. The response was that the Jewish leaders at Rome had received no communication injurious to the Apostle. Then they expressed a desire to hear for themselves what he had to say; for they had heard of this sect and knew that everywhere it was denounced as evfT. If he could say anything favorable to it, they would hear him. “Preaching the Kingdom of God.” On the appointed day the Jews came to hear the Apostle’s Message. From

morning until evening he demonstrated from the Law and the Prophets that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah; that He is now gathering a Spiritual Seed of Abraham to be His joint-heirs in the Kingdom; and that when this company is complete, they will be glorified in

the First Resurrection and then will begin the work of blessing all. When some refused the Message, the Apostle sought to-influence the believing ones by quoting from the Prophet Isaiah, showing that God had foretold that the majority of the Jews would reject the Message when it should come to them. He did not mean that those deaf to the Gospel would be eternally tormented, but that they would lose the wonderful privilege of becoming joint-heirs with Jesus In His Millennial Kingdom.

Preaching the Kingdom.

En Route to Rome.