In which we read of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey and eventual trip to Rome. (The post is long, but a LOT of stuff happens...)
Much of Acts 20 reads like a travelogue with Paul going to Assos, Mitylene, Samos, Miletus, Rhodes, Patara, Tyre, Ptolemais, Caesarea, and finally home to Jerusalem. In 20:5 the terms chance from “them” to “us” again--Luke has joined them in Philippi. While in Miletus, Paul calls a meeting with the elders from Ephesus. He knows he won’t be going back there, and he wants to warn them one more time about the false prophets.
When Paul etc. arrive in Caesarea, his friends warn him not to go to Jerusalem--there are rumors of evil plots. Paul is, however, ready to die for the cause of Christ; he cannot be dissuaded. Besides, he has been collecting money for the believers in Jerusalem and he has to deliver it.
One week later, Paul is arrested in the Temple. Chaos ensues. Paul then gives his personal testimony, telling of his history persecuting Christians and his conversion on the Damascus road. When the soldiers find out the Paul is a Roman citizen, they panic and take off his chains.
Paul is then brought before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high council) and declares that he is “on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead” (23:6). More chaos ensues--the Pharisees and Saducees who make up the Sanhedrin cannot agree on the reality of the resurrection. Paul is secretly taken to the Roman barracks.
Yet another evil plot is launched to kill Paul; his nephew gets wind of the plot and reports to the Roman commander and 200 horsemen are gathered in the dark of night to deliver Paul to Felix the governor in Caesarea. (Why has no one made a movie of this? It’s a great story!)
The high priest, Ananias, comes to Caesarea to bring the case against Paul, who speaks in his own defense with the governor Felix as the judge. Felix and Paul privately discuss matters of faith and righteousness; as Felix is not a righteous person, and he wanted to keep the Jews happy, he stalls on making a decision. For two years.
Festus, the new governor, visits Jerusalem to find out what the deal is with this prisoner. He returns to Caesarea accompanied by Jews who wish to accuse Paul; all Paul wants is for this nonsense to stop so he can get back to preaching. He asks to be brought before Caesar (whose name was Nero; yes, that one). In Rome.
Herod Agrippa (before he was eaten by worms) comes to Caesarea to discuss the Paul situation. He and Festus agree that Paul really hasn’t done anything wrong except annoy the Sanhedrin. Paul gives another eloquent speech. The rulers agree--if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar, he could go free.
But Paul WANTS to go to Rome. God has promised he could go.
Paul and Luke (for it says “we” in 27:1) along with other prisoners set sail toward Rome, ending up in a port city called Fair Havens. Luke drops hints letting us know that by now it is fall, the time of year we would call October. Paul recommends that they stay where they are, but since Fair Havens is (ironically) not a good place to spend the winter, they aim for Cyprus.
A very great storm blows up, blowing the ship WAY off course and lasting for more than two weeks. Finally, after 14 days of not eating or most likely sleeping, Paul speaks to the men (I have paraphrased) “I told you we should have stayed back there. But now, just stay in the boat, and eat some bread, for God has promised that we will all survive the storm.” And they do.
They wash up on the shore of Malta, where Paul survives a snakebite and prays for the healing of a chief’s father. In the spring Paul, Luke, and the others sailed to Italy.
Once they get to Rome, Paul is placed under guard, but he is allowed to preach and live in his own quarters. During this time he is also able to write the letters known as Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Philippians, 1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus. The book of Acts ends with Paul living happily in Rome, sharing the gospel, "unhindered" (28:31).
It’s hard to end this post, so I’ll just end it as Paul always ends his letters. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.
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