Paul's Last Two Years

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. - Acts 28:30-31

    The Spirit of God inspired Luke to describe Paul's last two years in very simple, but instructive words. 'And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him' (28:30-31). There are many traditions about Paul and his ministry after he came to Rome, but the Lord has told us nothing more than is contained in those two verses. It is most likely that, at the end of these two years, Paul was executed at Rome by Nero, dying as a martyr for Christ. In this final chapter we shall summarize the message of the book of Acts, review Paul's last two years as a prisoner at Rome and draw some lessons from the things we have seen in Acts.

    The book of Acts constantly focuses our attention on five things that must never be overlooked. Throughout these twenty-eight chapters, Luke draws our attention to these five things. Let us lay them to heart.

    1. The providential rule of Christ

    Luke opens this brief history of the early church by declaring the ascension and exaltation of Christ as Lord over all things. Then he proceeds to show us how that the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, rules the universe to accomplish his will. The abuses, imprisonments, persecutions and hardships suffered by those early believers were constantly overruled by our Lord for the spiritual, eternal good of his church and for the salvation of his elect.

    Throughout these chapters, we have seen that all things worked together for good to those who loved God, to those who were the called according to his purpose. The providential rule of Christ over all things sustained God's children in confident hope through all they suffered and did for his name's sake. Let all who trust Christ ever trust and rejoice in his sovereign rule of the universe. If Christ, who is our head, rules all things, then all is well. No matter how things may appear for the moment, our Saviour is accomplishing his will, for his glory and our good in all things (John 17:2; Eph. 1:20-23).

    2. The mission of God's church in this world

    The church of Christ has been given a definite commission from him. It is our responsibility to carry out that commission. Our Lord said, 'Ye shall be witnesses unto me ...unto the uttermost part of the earth' (1:8). Every believer is a missionary sent by God to confess Christ to men, to carry the message of his greatness, grace and glory to perishing sinners. Every local church is to be a preaching centre from which the gospel of Christ is proclaimed to dying men. Let us renew our commitment to this cause. As the early church went everywhere preaching that Jesus is Lord, let us give our lives to this cause. It is not the mission of God's church to entertain the world, educate the world, heal the world, reform the world, or govern the world. Our singular mission from Christ is to preach the gospel to the world.

    3. The offence of the cross

    From the very beginning, God's people have been persecuted by the world. As Cain persecuted Abel and Ishmael persecuted Isaac, the religious world persecuted the church of God in the earliest days of Christianity. The cause of persecution was the message the church declared—salvation by God's free grace through Jesus Christ the Lord! Things are no different today. We do not experience the physical violence that our brethren endured in those days, but the message we preach is just as hated and despised by religious people today as it was when Peter and John were imprisoned and Stephen was stoned to death. The doctrine of the cross is an offence to man. We must never expect unconverted men to love the truth of God. As the natural heart is enmity against God, the natural heart hates the gospel of God's free and sovereign grace in Christ. If we preach the gospel, we must not expect anything but wrath and persecution from those who despise the gospel. While the world stands, the offence of the cross will not cease (Gal. 5:11).

    4. The vital ministry of the Holy Spirit

    Our Lord said, 'Without me ye can do nothing.' What he said of himself is equally true of God the Holy Spirit. We must have the Spirit of God! If the Holy Spirit does not work in us and by us, we can do nothing for the glory of Christ and the eternal good of men. As we read the book of Acts, we are constantly reminded that the ministry of the early church was the ministry of God the Holy Spirit. Let us ever seek his gracious wisdom, power and grace upon us. If we would worship, pray, sing, or do anything for the glory of God, we must be motivated, guided and governed by God the Holy Spirit. Without him, we can do nothing.

    5. The immutability of God’s purpose

    Throughout this book, we see the purpose of God being accomplished exactly as he would have it. Though all hell resists it, our God performs his will. He is not even slightly hindered by the opposition of men or of Satan himself. 'The foundation of God standeth sure!' Child of God, rejoice! Let nothing discourage you. Let nothing hinder you from doing the will of God. God is faithful. Our God will graciously accomplish his purpose in us and in all things for the glory of his own great name. These are the things we see constantly set before us in the book of Acts. May God keep them always before us and use them to sustain our hearts as we seek to serve his cause in this world.

    Lessons from Paul's imprisonment

    Paul's two years of imprisonment at Rome are full of instruction. Remember, Paul had done nothing wrong. He was a prisoner at Rome only because he would not be turned aside from what he knew God would have him to do (Acts 20:22-24; 21:10-14). He was a prisoner for two years under Felix. His trip to Rome took at least a year. Then he was held prisoner at Rome for two more years. In all, this faithful man was under constant guard for the last five years of his life.

    He looked upon his imprisonment as he did all other things, as an act of God's wise and good providence. He knew that God had brought him to Rome in bonds for the furtherance of the gospel (Phil. 1:12-14). During these two years of imprisonment, Paul did not mope around complaining about how bad things were for him, or talk glowingly of all he had done for Christ, or dream about what he would do in better circumstances. Instead, he used the time and abilities God gave him for the glory of Christ, the good of immortal souls and the furtherance of the gospel. While a prisoner at Rome, this servant of God wrote half the epistles of the New Testament, preached to and trained Onesimus in the faith of Christ and preached the gospel to some in Nero's house and to his guards. As a result of what Paul did during those last two years, untold millions have been converted.

    God knew what he was doing when he brought Paul to Rome in chains, and Paul knew that God knew what he was doing (Rom. 8:28-30). Therefore he was content (Phil. 4:1-13). Carefully read what Paul wrote during this time and what Luke says of his behaviour. You will not find a single word to indicate any dissatisfaction on his part. Trusting God's providence, he was submissive, thankful and patient to the end. When the time came for him to leave this world, he was ready (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

    What should we learn from the things we have seen? Much time could be wisely spent drawing out numerous lessons from just the last two years of Paul's life and ministry. Many more might be found if one takes the time to review the twenty-eight chapters of this book. But, overall, three lessons seem to leap out of these pages of God's inspired Word:

    1. Learn to trust God's providence (Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28).

    2. Learn to do what God gives you the ability and opportunity to do for the glory of Christ and the good of immortal souls (Eccles. 9:10).

    3. Learn that all who honour God will be honoured by God (1 Sam 2:30).