80 - The Trip to Rome

Acts 25:1 - 28:31

In the last chapters of Acts Paul is dragged before the Roman governor and accused of being an "agitator among all the Jews" and a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes."

The governor, Felix, can't see any reason to do anything to Paul other than leave him in confinement (leaving open the possibility of a bribe to release him).

Our reading starts when the new governor, Porcius Festus, takes office.  He wants to resolve the issue of Paul quickly.  After hearing the case against Paul he decides to grant Paul's request to be tried as a Roman citizen.  Before going to Rome, he has another hearing before King Agrippa.  The parallels in these hearings and trials to the trials of Jesus are striking -- the Roman authorities are not inclined to punish Paul for accusations, based on false evidence, brought by the Jewish leaders.

Paul before King Agrippa

Paul's transfer to Rome is an adventure, as his ship is run aground off Malta.  The natives provide hospitality, and are stunned when Paul survives the bite of a poisonous viper.  Paul heals the father of a leading citizen of Malta, and other citizens.  Finally their ship is re-provisioned and they depart for Rome.

He was restricted but not confined, and used his time to preach to the Jews - some of whom he convinced and some not.  We are not told of his trial and death -- we just know that he preached boldly about the Kingdom of God and about the Lord Jesus Christ.  Thanks be to God.