Monday, July 14 – Acts 28, Colossians 1

1. What happened to Paul when he gathered wood for a fire in Malta? (Acts 28:3)

2. What did the locals think when they saw that Paul didn’t die? (Acts 28:6)

3. How did the Jews in Rome react when they came to hear Paul? (Acts 28:29)

4. How long was Paul imprisoned in Rome this time? (Acts 28:30)

Today, we finished reading the final chapter of the book of Acts, which records the Holy Spirit’s work in the early church and around the world. The Holy Spirit remains in control of the church until the Lord’s return.

Paul traveled by sea to Rome as a prisoner. He had always wanted to go to Rome, though not in these circumstances. Still, God allowed it.

“For years Paul had planned to visit Rome and preach the gospel there (Rom. 1:11–13). There must have been times when he reflected on the contrast between that hope and the realities of his arrival. But beyond the contrast Paul found reason for encouragement and for renewed confidence in divine guidance.” SDA Bible Commentary, Acts 28:15

It’s worth taking a moment to consider how we respond when life unfolds unexpectedly. Paul’s attitude is conveyed in the letter he wrote to the Colossians from prison in Rome.

“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” Colossians 1:24, NKJV

He stayed in prison for two years, yet God granted him remarkable freedom, even providing housing paid for by the brethren. “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him.” Acts 28:30, NKJV

“The consideration shown in housing Paul was no doubt due in part to the centurion Julius, who may still have had Paul in his charge when the apostle arrived in Rome. Julius had relied heavily on Paul for the successful emergency landing at Malta, and this, together with other evidence of Paul’s high character, wisdom, and spiritual power, had won the centurion’s favor and gratitude. All this was doubtless included in the official report on Paul, along with Festus’ written statement of the case.” SDA Bible Commentary, Acts 28:16

It is very likely that Paul was constantly chained to a Roman guard. As he told the Jewish leaders who visited him: “For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” Acts 28:20, NKJV

Though the messenger was in chains, the Word of God was not: “And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together.” Acts 28:17, NKJV

One might think that, after being accused and harassed by the Jews and imprisoned because of them, Paul would have hesitated to speak to them. But this was not the case. His calling and mission took precedence over his personal freedom.

His stay in Rome lasted two years: “Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” Acts 28:31, NKJV

Paul not only preached from his rented home/prison, but he also wrote. “Our only information concerning these two years is found in the four so-called ‘Prison Epistles,’ which are generally believed to have been written in Rome during this time—Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.” SDA Bible Commentary, Acts 28:30

The letter to the Colossians is one of these “prison epistles.” The church in Colossae was not founded directly by Paul but resulted from his vigorous ministry in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey).

“However, the following seems reasonably certain: The false teachers at Colossae taught that there were angelic beings of various orders who acted as intermediaries between God and the world, and who were agents of salvation and worthy of worship. These teachers also advocated a type of legalistic ceremonialism patterned after Judaism, and laid stress on circumcision, food and drink taboos, and the observance of festivals. Paul wrote the Epistle to the Colossians in order to counteract such teachings.” SDA Bible Commentary, Colossians 1:16

Today, the enemy still attacks the church through false teachings. His deceptions are just as powerful now as they were then. How can we recognize them? How can we protect ourselves and the church?

We conclude with Paul’s heartfelt exhortation:

“If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Colossians 1:23, NKJV

It is my prayer that God grants you a richly blessed day.