Scripture
He welcomed all who visited him, boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
Observation
After arriving in Rome, Paul is placed under house arrest. He calls together the local Jewish leaders. He tells them that he was brought to Rome because he was falsely accused in Jerusalem and had to appeal to Caesar.
They set a time to meet with the Jewish people of Rome. Paul shows from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah they have been waiting for. Some believe what Paul says, but others do not believe.
Paul continues to live in Rome for two years, proclaiming the gospel boldly to all who come to visit him.
Application
The last words of Acts summarise the whole book: Nobody can stop the gospel.
Here is Paul at the centre of the great empire, the seat of human power. He is under arrest waiting for his appeal to he heard. He seems to be in the position of weakness.
Paul was in prison, but the gospel was not. This is still true today.
There are people who try to censor the gospel and mute the church. The gospel will not be stopped because it is God’s word, God’s message of salvation.
Even the greatest power the world has seen could not quash the preaching of the gospel. Over many decades, the powers would try to eradicate christians, but they failed. In fact, it was Christ who overcame Caesar, not the other way round.
In today’s era, where those who oppose God seem to be on the rise in western nations, we need to remember that no human power has ever been able to thwart God’s Kingdom.
Prayer
Thank you Lord that you are stronger than any human opposition. Thank you for the assurance that your Kingdom will outlast all human empires. Amen.
