Paul’s final journey
Paul must go to Jerusalem. He is imprisoned in Jerusalem, appeals to Caesar and sails to Rome.
While at Ephasis on his third and final missionary journey Paul tells the church elders he must go to Jerusalem. Acts 20:22-29.
“I go bound in the Spirit not knowing what shall befall me…bonds and afflictions abide me.”
“I must finish my course with joy and the ministry I have received…”
“You shall see my face no more”
He intructs the elders to care for the church of God which He hath purchased with His blood and look out for false teachers.
The farewell and reaction by the church elders. Acts 20:36-38.
Pauls farewell prayer with them all.
They all wept sore, fell on his neck and kissed him.
They grieved that they would see him no more.
Paul sets his face toward Jerusalem. He had provisions for the Jerusalem church from the churches in Asia Minor.
Paul goes to Tyre an ancient trade city. Acts 21:1-6.
He finds the disciples and spends 7 days with them.
They begged him not to go to Jerusalem. vs.4
A moving farewell-They and their families brought him on his way, kneeled and prayed with him. vs5.
Paul to Caesarea. Acts 21:8-14.
Paul stays with Philip the evangelist many days.
A prophet from Judea came and tells Paul the “Jews at Jerusalem will bind you and deliver you into the hands of the gentiles.” vs.10-11.
The believers at Caesarea “besought Paul not to go to Jerusalem.” vs.12.
Paul’s response-”Why weep ye and break my heart..I am ready to die for the name of the Lord Jesus. vs.13.
Their response-The will of the Lord be done. vs.14.
Paul’s determination.
Inspite of three warnings Paul was determined to go to Jerusalem to report to the apostles and to witness in Jerusalem.
He was convinced of the Spirit’s leading.
Paul arrives at Jerusalem. Acts 21:15-40.
Report to the apostles including James the Lord’s brother. vs.15-19.
The apostles response and unexpected recommendation. vs.20-25. They rejoiced over Gentiles coming to faith in Christ. vs.20a. For Gentile christians: Grace alone. vs.25.
Their Judaising reared it’s ugly head. For Jewish christians: Grace plus the law of Moses.
Paul’s compliance. vs 26. was he reluctant & embarrassed to refuse? Was this a mistake? Paul seems weak at thie time.
Paul wrote in the book of Ephesians 2:8-9 while in prison in Rome: “For by Grace are ye saved through faith…not of works lest any man should boast.”
Paul’s trial and imprisonment in Jerusalem. Acts 21:27-40
The Jews which were in Asia stirred up the people and laid hands on Paul, cast him out of the temple and were about to kill him. vs.27-31.
The Roman captain hears of the uproar, delivers Paul from the crowd that was beating him and puts him in chains. vs33.
Paul informs the Roman captain in Latin that he is a citizen of Tarsus a Greek city and asks to speak to the crowd. vs.39-40.
Paul’s message in the Hebrew language to the Jerusalem mob. Acts 22:1-23.
I was a devout Jew that persecuted Christians, imprisoned them and approved of the stoning of Stephen. vs.4&20.
I was authorized by the High Priest to go to Damascus to capture Christians & bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.vs.5.
On the way, Jesus appeared to me and said: Why persecuteth thou me. vs. 6-8. Paul appointed to be The apostle to the Gentiles. vs.21.
The mob’s response- “Away with this fellow..it is not fit that he should live.” vs.22-23.
The Roman captain rescues Paul from the mob and the Jewish Council and brings him to the castle. Acts Ch.23:10.
That night the Lord stood by him and said “Be of good cheer, Paul: thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also in Rome.” vs.11.
The conspiracy of certain Jews and the Jewish Council to assasinate Paul. Vs.12-15. The Roman Captain learns of this and sends Paul
to Caesarea. vs.23.
Paul’s trials.
Before Felix the governor of Judea. Ananias the Priest acused Paul of sedition among Jews throughout the world. Acts 24:1-5. Felix hoped to be bribed by Paul left him in bonds to please the Jews. vs.26-27.
Before Festus governer of Caesarea. Acts 25:1-3,6,9.
Paul’s response. “I have done no wrong, & nothing worthy of death. I appeal to Caesar. Acts 25:11. Paul was a Roman citizen.
Before King Agrippa. Paul’s testemony. Acts 26:1-27.
Agrippas response. vs. 28. “…almost thou persuades me to be a Christian.”
Paul sails from Jerusalem to Rome.
The entire journey takes 6 months according to historian Lewin.
Left Caesarea August 60 A.D.
Shipwrecked early November.
He is on the Iseland of Miletus for 3 months.
Arrives in Rome March 61 A.D.
Acts chapter 27.
From Caesarea to Sidon vs.1-3. Paul’s companions are: Luke the convertet Greek physician, Aristarchus-Macedonian convert who has been with Paul since he left Ephasus when Paul stated I must go to Rome(Acts 20:22), Julius the centurion+100 soldiers of the Italian Band, other prisoners & the ships crew. Total 276 vs.37. At Sidon Julius the Centurion allow Paul to visit friends. vs.3.
Sidon to Myra. vs.4-5.
Myra to Lasea. vs.6-8. They transfer to a ship sailing to Italy. The trip was difficult due to weather. Lasea not an intended stop and much time spent there due to dangerous sailing.
Paul warning-There will be much damage if trip continues. vs.10-11. Ignored by the Centurion. They set sail for Phoenix on Crete.
The storm at sea vs.14-38. Tempestous wind. They lightened the ship of it’s cargo, cast out the tackling of the ship. Days of darkness. Hope is lost.
Paul’s encouragement. vs.21-26. Be of good cheer there shall be no loss of life. Basis for Paul’s confidence: “The Angel of God whom I serve appeared to me.”
The shipmen’s attempted flight. vs27-32
Paul’s renewed encouragement. vs33-36. The 14 day fast broken. Paul prays & gives thanks. vs35.
They finally reach a shore and the ship runs aground. vs.39-44. The soldiers want to kill the prisoners lest they escape, but the Centurion did not allow it to save Paul. vs.42-43.
All survive and and land safely on an island called Melita.
Paul on the Isle of Melita. Acts chapter 28:1-10.
Melita is between Island of Sicily and Africa 60 miles south of Sicily. It is 20 mi. long & 10 mi wide
It is inhabited by Barbarians that do not speak Greek or Italian.
They received & cared for the strangers. Hebrew 13:2. Be not foregetful to entertain strangers for some have entertained angels unaware. They kindled a fire for the cold & wet strangers.
Paul the woodgatherer-humility & service. Bitten by a viper.
The islander’s theology. Idolaters. Vengence vs. justice. Concept of a righteous god who punishes evil. They concluded Paul must be a murderer.vs.4.
Paul’s deliverance from the viper. vs.6. Mark 16:18. “They shall take up serpents…it shall not hurt them.”
The pagans conclude Paul is a god. vs.6.
Paul praying for and healing the sick father of Publius the chief of the Island and other sick islanders.
Paul and those with him were honored and given provision as they departed.
The blessing of misfortune for the passengers and the Islanders.
Melita to Rome. vs. 11-15.
Two Alexandrian ships reach Melita. One arrives safely, one shipwrecks.
Paul & those with him go on the Alexandria ship from Melita to Syracuse where they stayed 3 days.
They then go to Rhegium in Italy for 1 day then to Puteoli near Naples whre they stayed with believers for 7 days.
They then go to Rome.
Paul is allowed to dwell alone with a guard. The Brethren go to meet Paul. vs.15.
Paul in Rome. Acts 28 vs.16-31.
Paul meets with the Jewish leaders. vs 17-29. Jews had been expelled from Rome 5 years earlier by Claudius. Many had returned.
Paul’s first mission in Rome. Three days after he arrives in Rome he calls the leaders of the Jews together and explains to them why he is in chains. vs.20. He saw his first duty to his people when he says “for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
The Jewish leaders appointed a day to come and hear Paul’s message to them. vs22.
Paul explains the plan of God, persuading them “concerning Jesus out of the Law of Moses and of the prophets from morning till evening” vs.23. Paul explains God’s plan of Redemption through Jesus Christ for Jews and Gentiles.
Some believed and some believed not. He says to them you are fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 6:8-10. The hardened heart, the closed eyes, the deaf ears result in lack of conversion. The lost opportunity.
The salvation of God was offered to the Jews first then sent to the Gentiles. vs.28.
When Paul said this the Jews departed reasoning among themselves. vs. 29.
Paul spent 2 years in his hired house preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ. vs.30-31.
Paul’s final years according to Lardner’s History.
Conversion of Onesimus. Philippians ch. 10.
Writing the books of Ephesians, II Timothy, Philippians, Collosians, Philemon, and Hebrews.
Released from prison. Traveled to Asia Minor. Possibly to Spain. Returned to Rome.
Fire of Rome in 64 A.D. set by Nero. Christisns were blamed. Peter was crucified. Paul was beheaded because he was a Roman citizen.
Luke a companion of Paul and author of the book of Acts went to Achaia after Paul’s first imprisonment. He died at age 84.
Below is the Audio message od Paul’s finsl journey to Jerusalem
Below is the link to the printed noted
Below is the link to the original handwritten notes.