The Watchman Upon the Walls of Jerusalem
Acts 28:30, 31
And Paul dwelled two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in to him,


And he abode two whole years, etc. The last look at Paul significant of the future. The kingdom of God traced in Acts from the old Jerusalem to Rome. The apostle of the Gentiles left at his work, soon to seal it with his blood. Pauline Christianity in its relation to the spread of the kingdom. No one taught better "the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ."

I. AN EXAMPLE OF INDIVIDUAL DEVOTEDNESS. The value of such a witness to the early Church.

1. All his strength derived from Christ.

2. All his life given to service.

3. The character of the man opened for him the way of his ministry. He longed to be at Rome, and at Rome he fulfilled his own ideal of the Christian messenger.

II. A WONDERFUL ILLUSTRATION OF OVERRULING PROVIDENCE. The prophecy fulfilled. The restraint of enemies. The provision of opportunities. The sustenance of physical and moral strength. The preparation of the man for his post. The intellectual training and world-wide experience all employed. A post is fitted for each, and each is fitted for his post.

III. A SIGNIFICANT FACT IN THE WORLD'S HISTORY. The most momentous facts not always those which appear most startling. The palace of the Caesars beside the hired house of the apostle. The world then would have despised the day of small things. A germ of new life in the old corruption. The gospel wins its triumphs by simple methods. The Acts of the Apostles are greater in the history of the world than the annals of Rome. The kingdom of God has come, is coming, shall come. May we say in heart and life, "Thy kingdom come"! - R.



Parallel Verses
KJV: And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

WEB: Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him,




The Quiet Disappearance of Paul At the Close of the Apostolic History
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