1. Famous Last Words Paul’s Testimony In Rome Acts 28:17-31 INTRODUCTION
After his fateful voyage, Paul and his companions arrived at Rome where he...
Was immediately placed under house arrest - Ac 28:16
Waited two years to make his appeal before Caesar - cf. Ac 25:9-12; 28:30
Yet Paul was not idle during this time...
He met with the Jewish leaders in Rome
He received many visitors
He likely composed several epistles [Indeed, it was a fruitful time for the apostle Paul.
Such is evident as we read the final words of Luke in his account of Acts, beginning with...]
Paul’s Testimony In Rome
Acts 28:17-31

2. Act 28:17-31  After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.  (18)  "And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.  (19)  "But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation.  (20)  "For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel."  

3.  (21)  They said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you.  (22)  "But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."  (23)  When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening.  (24)  Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.  

4. (25)  And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers,  (26)  saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, "YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;  (27)  FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM."'  (28)  "Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."  

5.  (29)  [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.]  (30)  And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,  (31)  preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

6. The Jewish Leaders The First Meeting
Paul called for the leaders of the Jews in Rome - Ac 28:17
He explained why he was there, and the reason for his appeal - Ac 28:17-20
He had done nothing against the Jews or their customs
Roman officials wanted to let him go, but Jews from Jerusalem spoke against it, forcing him to appeal to Caesar
Yet it was for the hope of Israel he was bound in chains
The Jewish leaders desire to learn more - Ac 28:21-22
For they neither received letters or heard anything evil of Paul
But they wanted to hear what he had to say about this "sect" spoken against everywhere
The First Meeting
Meets With Jewish Leaders Explaining Why He Was There
Jewish Leaders Wanted To Know More About The Christians
Everything They Had Heard Was Bad
But Paul Said…..

7. The Jewish Leaders The First Meeting The Second Meeting
On an appointed day, many came to his lodging - Ac 28:23
They heard him explain and solemnly testify from morning until evening - Ac 28:23
Of the kingdom of God and concerning Jesus - cf. Ac 8:12
From both the Law of Moses and the Prophets - cf. Lk 24:44-47
Their reaction was mixed; some were persuaded, while others disbelieved - Ac 28:24
They departed after Paul gave them solemn warning - Ac 28:25-28
Of being hard of hearing and closing their eyes - cf. Isa 6:9-10
The message of salvation has been sent to Gentiles and they will hear it - cf. Isa 42:1,6
They departed and disputed among themselves - Ac 28:29
[The closing verses in Acts indicate that similar meetings were repeated time and again during the two years of Paul's captivity (Ac 28:30-31). When we turn to Paul's epistles, we can glean more things about...]
The First Meeting
The Second Meeting
The Jews Came & Listened All Day
They Heard The News About Jesus From The Law & Prophets
Some Believed ; Some Didn’t
All Were Warned Of Life & Death In Jesus

8. His Life In Roman Confinement
II. HIS CIRCUMSTANCES IN ROME
A. PAUL'S COMPANIONS...
Timothy
The young disciple Paul picked up on his second journey - Ac 16:1-3
Who joined Paul in several epistles written from Rome - Phm 1; Col 1:1; Php 1:1
Who was sent to Philippi in behalf of Paul - Php 2:19-23
Epaphras
Whose visit to Paul prompted the writing of Colossians - Col 1:3-8
Who sent his greetings to his beloved brethren at Colossae - Col 4:12-13
Who was described as Paul's "fellow-prisoner" - Phm 1:23
Onesimus and Tychicus
Onesimus, the runaway slave converted to Jesus Christ, who was sent along with the letter to his master Philemon - Phm 1:10-21
Onesimus also accompanied Tychicus who bore the epistle to the Colossians - Col 4:7-9
Tychicus, who was from Asia (Ac 20:4) and the bearer of the epistle to the Ephesians - Ep 6:21-22
His Companions
Timothy
Epaphras
Onesimus & Tychicus

9. His Life In Roman Confinement
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, Jesus (Justus) - Phm 1:24
Marcus, also known as John Mark, Barnabas' cousin - Col 4:10; cf. Ac 12:25; 13:5,13; 15:37-40
Aristarchus, Paul's "fellow-prisoner" - Col 4:10; cf. Ac 19:29; 20:4; 27:2
Demas, who later forsook Paul - Col 4:14; cf. 2Ti 4:10
Luke, the beloved physician who traveled off and on again with Paul, and accompanied him on his voyage to Rome - Col 4:14; cf. Ac 16:10-12; 20:6; 21:1-17; 27:1-28:16
Jesus (also called Justus), a "fellow-worker" with Paul - Col 4:11
Epaphroditus
Who brought a gift to Paul from the Philippians - Php 4:18
Who became the bearer of the epistle to the Philippians - Php 2:25-30
-- His companions undoubtedly were a great source of comfort for Paul, and enabled him to do much good while imprisoned in Rome
His Companions
Timothy
Epaphras
Onesimus & Tychicus
Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, & Justus
Epaphroditus

10. His Life In Roman Confinement
II. HIS CIRCUMSTANCES IN ROME
B. PAUL'S PREACHING...
Continued preaching despite his chains - Col 1:23-29; Ep 3:1-9
Requested prayers for wisdom and boldness to continue preaching - Col 4:3-4; Ep 6:18-20
Converted Onesimus, the runaway slave - Phm 1:10
Had opportunities among the palace guard, and apparent success in Caesar's household - Php 1:12-20; 4:22
-- Paul's success in preaching reinforce the idea that the gospel cannot be bound!
His Companions
Paul’s Preaching
Continued Despite His Chains
Wanted Prayers To Be Bold
Converted Fellow Prisoners
Converted Others In Caesar’s Household

11. His Life In Roman Confinement
II. HIS CIRCUMSTANCES IN ROME
PAUL'S LETTERS...
The epistle to Philemon (61 or 62 AD.) - Phm 1:1
Purpose: To secure forgiveness for Onesimus
Theme: Restoration Of A Slave Brother
The epistle to the Colossians (61 or 62 A.D.) - Col 1:1-2
Purpose: To warn against the "Colossian heresy"
Theme: Christ, The Fullness Of God And Pre-Eminent, All-Sufficient Savior
The epistle to the Ephesians (61 or 62 A.D.) - Ep 1:1
Purpose: To remind Christians of their spiritual blessings and responsibilities
Theme: The Believer's Riches In Christ
The epistle to the Philippians (63 A.D.) - Php 1:1
Purpose: To thank the church for their gift, and encourage faithfulness
Theme: Rejoice In The Lord! -- Through letters Paul's influence spread from Rome throughout the world till today!
His Companions
Paul’s Preaching
Paul’s Letters
Philemon
Colossians
Ephesians
Philippians

12. His Life In Roman Confinement
II. HIS CIRCUMSTANCES IN ROME
D. PAUL'S LOVE AND CARE FOR THE CHURCHES...
Evidenced in the epistles he wrote during this time
Such as Colossians, to a church he had not seen - Col 2:1-5
Such as Ephesians, to a church with whom he had spent much time - Ac 20:17-21
Such as Philippians, to a church that was dear to his heart - Php 1:3-5; 4:1
Evidenced in the prayers he offered for them
His prayer for the Colossians - Col 1:9-11
His prayers for the Ephesians - Ep 1:15-21; 3:14-19
His prayer for the Philippians - Php 1:9-11
-- Paul's love and concern for others despite his own circumstances exemplifies the mind of Christ - cf. Php 2:4-8
His Companions
Paul’s Preaching
Paul’s Letters
Paul’s Love & Care For The Churches
Letters Of Concern
Prayers Offered Up For The Churches

13. His Life In Roman Confinement
II. HIS CIRCUMSTANCES IN ROME
E. PAUL'S FAITH AND JOY IN HIS SUFFERING...
He rejoiced in his sufferings - Col 1:24; Php 2:16-18
He sought to magnify Christ in his sufferings - Php 1:20
-- Paul's imprisonment gave him an opportunity to practice what he had been preaching (and practicing) all along - cf. Ro 5:3-5
His Companions
Paul’s Preaching
Paul’s Letters
Paul’s Love & Care For The Churches
Paul's Faith And Joy In His Suffering...
He Rejoiced In Suffering
He Magnified Christ In His Sufferings

14. Famous Last Words Paul’s Testimony In Rome Acts 28:17-31 CONCLUSION
Paul fully expected to be released from his imprisonment, as expressed... a. By his plans to visit Philemon - Phm 1:22 b. In his epistle to the Philippians - Php 1:23-27; 2:24
That he was released and traveled some more is evidenced...
By references made in such epistles as 1st & 2nd Timothy, Titus
By the testimony of those who came along later: Chrysostom, Jerome, Eusebius, and even Clement of Rome, who lived in the latter part of the first century A.D.
J.W. McGarvey notes in his commentary on Acts: "No two years of Paul's life were better filled with earnest labor than these two spent in his Roman prison." Indeed, we have seen that such was the case, as Paul himself wrote: "But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." (Php 1:12-14)
May we learn from Paul's example of how "good can come out of ill", and use whatever circumstances in which we find ourselves to be utilized for the glory of God!
Paul’s Testimony In Rome
Acts 28:17-31