THE LIVING CHURCH
Meditations in the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 28:11-16

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THE journey to Rome comes to an end after many trials, difficulties and hardships. God proves his faithfulness to Paul. God had assured Paul that he need not be afraid over his imprisonment, because God had a purpose for him to witness to the truth in Rome. God’s promise was that Paul would reach Rome safely, and here God is seen to keep his promise although the journey to Rome was long and arduous. In spite of all the difficulties God kept his promise, and his purpose was intact.

God has given his word concerning all who put their trust in Jesus as Saviour, that he will bring us to his heavenly glory. The promise is the gift of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ. The promise is that by faith in Jesus we have become heirs together with Christ to heaven, and received the adoption as sons and daughters into the family of God. Though we suffer through manifold temptations; though we are weak and fall constantly; though we have to pass through many difficulties and trials; though Satan is constantly seeking our fall; the promise of God that he will bring us to his heavenly glory is sure. As Paul found God brought him safely to Rome so we will find that God will bring us safely to heaven. God’s promises in Christ are sure and certain and cannot fail.

John Newton, the converted slave trader who became a minister of the Gospel, expresses this assurance in his hymn ‘Amazing Grace’. One verse goes like this -

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
God’s grace has brought me safe thus far,
God’s grace will lead me home.

In the many trials and difficulties we have to suffer in our earthly pilgrimage to heaven, we have, first and foremost, Christ as our support, comfort, guide and strength. Also we have a further support and comfort, and that is in the fellowship of other believers. Paul speaks of this support in verse 14, where he says he meets some brothers in Puteoli. The term brother does not mean some members of Paul’s earthly family, but is referring to other believers resident in that town. They came to meet and give hospitality to Paul. Then again Paul speaks of the same support and comfort when he reached Rome. Some of the believing Christians living in Rome travelled out of the city to meet Paul at the Forum of Appius. Paul says he was encouraged by this in verse 15.

The truth is that when we believe in Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are born again into the family of God, and we all belong to one family. When we meet another believer we have found a member of the same heavenly family that we have been brought into by Christ, and we have found a friend and helper. At least this should be so, and more often than not it is so. Because we live in a fallen world, it is tragic that sometimes Christians do not receive each other in love, for one reason or another. This is not the way of Christ, however. Christ’s way is to show love to all, especially to the family of God.

Paul was encouraged by the friendship and support of these fellow Christians. Encouraging is an important aspect of Christian love and support. There should be more encouraging done and experienced within the Church of God. We should encourage each other as much as we can. On the other hand criticism and judging must be put away amongst us. As Christ has loved us so we must love others.

We notice also that Paul gave thanks to God for these brothers in Christ coming to meet him. This must always be our first thought and action when we are blest. God is the author of every blessing. These fellow Christians were brothers in Christ, because God had loved and saved them. They would not have been there if this were not so. God was the author of this fellowship and love. All good gifts around us come down from heaven above. Then thank the Lord, thank the Lord, for all his love. We can’t give too much praise and thanksgiving to God. By such thanksgiving we give glory to God and show that we attribute all blessings to him, and that our trust is in him.

God’s goodness and care of Paul does not end with the fellowship of the saints. We see God caring for his temporal comfort. Paul could have easily been housed in prison with all the hard living and squalor of such a place in those days. God arranged it that Paul was kept under house arrest. He had just one soldier to guard him, and he lived in his own house. We shall also find as we read on in this last chapter, that Paul was free to receive visitors, and send letters and messages. Such was God’s care of his servant. Such also is his power to do all things for the good of his people. So let us be encouraged and strengthened by this evidence of God’s faithfulness and care.