CTG 0040

THE GOSPEL SPREADS IN ROME 

The apostle Paul used the Roman roads and sea for his mission trips. He and his co-workers cared for the churches they’d planted by means of visits and letters. And the new believers also began spreading the gospel. 

Toward the end of his 3rd missions trip, before starting the long journey back to Jerusalem with a gift for the poor, Paul sent a letter to the christians in Rome. For many years he had longed to visit Rome and proclaim the gospel there. Knowing many of the believers resident in the imperial capital, he prayed regularly for them. And he prayed that, now at long last by God's will, he’d somehow get there. 

Paul had been greatly impacted and motivated by a promise found in the Old Testament: 

“Those who have never been told of him will see, 
and those who have never heard will understand.”
Romans 15:21 ESV (Quoted from Isaiah 52:15; 52:13-54:1) 

He believed that promise, proclaiming the gospel of Christ from the eastern extent of the Mediterranean as far as Illyricum (a Roman province adjacent to the eastern Adriatic), always reaching out to those who had not heard the good news about Jesus. This was always his priority. So after Jerusalem he intended to reach Roman Hispania (Spain, the western extent of the Mediterranean) with the gospel, visiting the christians in Rome on the way. He wasn't sure how this would be realised, because the Holy Spirit had made it plain to him that trouble was up ahead. 

Paul had experienced trouble many times before. And whatever was about to transpire, he was committed to completing the task the Lord had given him, to witness about the good news of God's grace in Christ. 

In fact, it would be a few years before he would reach Rome. Acts 21:1-28:16 gives us the details of his imprisonment on his return to Jerusalem and in Caesarea, including the hazardous journey by sea on the way to the imperial capital. The Lord was fulfilling what he had told Ananias about him many years before, following Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus: 

“... he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel ... I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
Acts 9:15-16 ESV 

When he was under Roman custody in Jerusalem the Lord appeared to him and told him to take courage, because he would witness for him in Rome. Even in the middle of the prolonged storm at sea, during the journey there, God sent one of his angels to tell him not to be afraid and that he would stand before the emperor. God kept his promises. 

Earlier, in the letter referred to above, he had already asked the christians in Rome to pray ... that he would be delivered from scheming unbelievers in Judea ... and that by God's will he would come to the believers in Rome with joy and be refreshed in their company. Some of them even came to meet him, when they heard that he was at long last nearing the capital. God answered those requests for prayer. 

Rome was the capital and largest metropolis of the empire. Multi-ethnic and multilingual, it had 1 million inhabitants at it's peak. Luke, who was obviously allowed to travel with the apostle, records the following: 

“And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him (chained [see verse 20]) ... He lived there two whole years at his own expense ...“ 
Acts 28:16 & 30 ESV 

He sent a letter to the christians in Ephesus: 

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.
I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”
Ephesians 6:18-20 NLT 

He sought to reach his own people and other ethnic groups with the gospel even when he was under house arrest there in Rome. He welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. Boldly and without hindrance (Acts 28:16-31). 

In a letter to the believers in Philippi he gave a report of the effect his confinement was having on others: 

“... I want you to know ... that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear ... the message about Christ is being preached ... I rejoice ... God’s people send you greetings ... especially those in Caesar’s household.”
Philippians 1:12-18; 4:22 NLT 

The gospel penetrated and was being believed even among the emperor’s dependants. 

Think about the effect the gospel would have had among the emperor’s elite Praetorian Guard. Those who took their turn guarding Paul, who’s wrist was loosely chained to the soldier. Paul would have talked with each one. And they would have heard his conversations with those who came to visit him, believers and others who wanted to hear what he had to say about the Lord Jesus. Consider how the gospel would have spread by word of mouth, spontaneously and increasingly. And those who were already christians gained confidence, sharing the message of salvation in ever increasing circles. 

Years before in Ephesus ... when he had freedom of movement ... for two years Paul’s base of operation had been the hall of Tyrannus ... resulting in the message spreading by word of mouth throughout the Roman province of Asia (Acts 19:9-10). 

In comparison ... in Rome his movements were greatly restricted, as he was confined to his own rented accommodation. But he continued to use the opportunities that presented themselves, fulfilling the task given to him by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

That’s the kind of effect our risen Lord and Saviour has on lives that have been gripped by his grace, mercy and love. 

Think about the present circumstances we may be faced by, wherever we may live across the globe. The cause of the situation that we are confronted by may be quite different. But we can ask the Lord for wisdom and for insight how best to use the means that we have at our fingertips to continue his work, enabled by the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus said: 

“... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  
Acts 1:8 ESV 

If you haven’t yet responded to the mercy and love of God, as presented in the gospel, please take time to read about Jesus in the Bible. For example, in John’s account of the good news, which you will find in the New Testament. 

FOR FURTHER READING 

Romans 15:21 (Isaiah 52:15; 52:13-54:3) 

Acts 1:8; 9:10-16; 19:8-10; 20:17-24; 21:1-28:16 
Acts 23:10-11; 27:22-26; 28:16-31 
Romans 1:8-17; 15:8-33; 16:3-16 
2 Corinthians 11:12-12:10 
Ephesians 6:18-20 
Philippians 1:12-18; 4:22 
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10