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Day 45 Acts 28:12 Acts 28:12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. 17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spoke any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou think: for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against. 23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. 25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, 26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: 27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. 30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. People can be persuaded to believe anything. All it takes is one person with much persuasion and charisma to turn the thoughts and minds of people to believe something that is either true or false. They say there are two sides to every coin. Two sides to every story. When it comes to God’s Word, there is only one side – God’s. Nothing else matters. Not what you think or believe, but what God says, because what He says is always the truth. Jesus appointed Paul to preach the gospel everywhere in the known world, and last He appointed him to go to Rome where he spoke to Jews about Jesus, and some believed and some didn’t. When Paul saw the hardness of their heart, he told them, he would take the gospel to the Gentiles. Most Christians today are Gentiles. It is because of Paul’s ministry to Gentiles you believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. A Gentile is anyone who is not a Jew. There are also Jewish Christians, called Messianic Jews. Paul never left Rome once he arrived. His journey ended in Rome. He was two years in a rented home where he taught everyone who came to him. He couldn’t leave his home because he was still under guard, a prisoner. After two years, Nero beheaded Paul. As a Roman citizen, the only means of death was decapitation. Your journey as a Christian continues today because people who believed Paul’s witness and testimony, spread the Word to the nations until the whole world has heard of Jesus Christ, and those who haven’t, have the opportunity today through missionaries like Paul who take the gospel wherever it needs to go. It is spread through the Internet. The Internet can reach places many people can’t. Just as Paul never stopped preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ until his death, you too are to preach the gospel until Jesus calls you home. Let’s pray: Father, give me Your voice, Your Word so I can reach the world through You and people will know Your love and mercy, Your grace and forgiveness, and Jesus, Your Son. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 25 February 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay