THE LIVING CHURCH
Meditations in the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 23:23-35

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THESE verses tell us of the beginning of Paul's progress to Rome. God had told Paul in chapter 23:11 that he need not be afraid of his capture because God wished him to testify to Christ in Rome. It is plain that Paul was to understand that his imprisonment was to further this purpose of God, with all the accompanying implications that goes with imprisonment. In fact Paul did end his life in Rome, or at least that is a good assumption, because the Acts leaves him still in prison in Rome.

Paul may well have questions concerning this way of God in dealing with him in his life. If God wanted him to go to Rome, why did it have to be by imprisonment. In the past Paul had sought to listen to the Holy Spirit, and to obey the will of God as the Holy Spirit made it known to him. God had only to tell Paul to go to Rome and he would have journeyed there to make testimony to Christ. Why did God send him to Rome as a prisoner which would mean probably the end of his life.

If Paul had such questions in his mind we are not told them. Perhaps Paul's faith and trust had reached a point when, in quiet trustful submission, he accepted God's way, without fear or question. However for many of us such a height of trust is beyond us, and when God works in our lives in a way that may be frightening and perhaps painful, we do ask questions. I would offer some thoughts on God's way with Paul here to help Christians who, like myself, need help to trust in such circumstances.

The first thing I notice is that Paul's captivity is made as comfortable as possible. He is given a strong guard on the journey to Caesarea. He is given a horse to ride upon. He was put under guard in Herod's palace, and the suggestion is that within the palace he was reasonable free in his movement. We can see the hand of God in this, making the Romans favourably inclined to Paul.

Then we need to tell ourselves that God always works for our good and for the best way to fulfil his purposes for us in ministry. I found in my ministry that when I was in the will of God relying on his strength and not the arm of the flesh, blessing followed. Paul knew that this way to Rome, with all its unpleasantness was the way of God, and therefore the best way. This way God's purposes for Paul's testimony in Rome would be best accomplished. By arriving in Rome as an important prisoner his contact with people and the impact of his presence would be different to arriving at Rome unannounced and free. There is no doubt that Paul was able to testify to people when he arrived at Rome who would never have listened if he reached Rome a free man.

Paul had complete confidence in God. His life was hid in Christ with God, and although he could not answer the question ‘why’ in many circumstance, he knew that God's way was the right one, and in the end he was safe only in that way of God. Paul also dwelt deeply in the hope all believers have in Christ. This is the hope of eternal life in heaven with Christ. The believer is a citizen of heaven. We do not belong in this world, and in one sense are imprisoned here. Our freedom comes when we are translated to glory. The way of physical death is painful and not without fear, but heavenly glory is certain. Christ has risen. He has gone before us to prepare a way for us, and prepare a place in heaven for us. At the time of physical death, it is Christ who comes to take us to be with him in glory.

So let us look at the experience of Paul here with the eye of faith, so that in our life experience we may be sure that God's hand upon us is always one of love, and in God's will we are in the best way, whatever the difficulties and dangers might be.