PAUL ARRIVES IN ROME

Acts 28:11-16 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 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: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 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.

For three months, Paul, his faithful traveling companions, the guards, other prisoners, and the crew of the sunken ship, waited on the island of Melita (Malta) for favorable weather and another ship to carry them to Rome. It was another ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle,on which they were able to board and continue their ill-fated journey. It seems rather strange that this ship carried the name and images of Castor and Pollux - odd because these were legendary pagan gods considered to be brothers that presided over, and gave protection to, ships and their crews that sailed the open seas.

Sailing from Melita they soon approached the southeastern shore of the island of Sicily. Landing at Syracuse, which was considered to have been its capital at this period in history, they remained there three days. From there, they sailed northerly, and came to Rhegium, a seaport city located on the southwestern tip of the Italian peninsula. On the following day, and finding a south wind, they continued sailing up the coast of Italy, arriving at the city of Puteoli. Once there, they disembarked the ship, for we know that the remainder of the trip to Rome they traveled on overland roads. However, when they arrived at this city, brethren, that is, Christians - members of the church of Christ, greeted them.

We are not told where they obeyed God's gospel call to accept Christ Jesus as their Savior, nor are we told by whom the gospel of salvation was taught unto them. But thank God, when they heard it preached, they believed, repented of their past sinful life, confessed Jesus to be the Son of God and Savior of the world, and were baptized into the body of Christ for the remission of their sins. We know this to be true because without all of these acts of obedience taking place, Paul would not have recognized them as brothers and sisters in Christ. By tarrying with them for seven days we are assured that they were able to assemble together in fellowship, and worship God on the first day of the week.

After this visit with these brethren for seven days, they continue to travel on a road known as the Appian Way toward Rome. It is probable that, while in the city of Puteoli, word was sent to the Christians at Rome telling them of Paul's arrival in Italy and his intent to come to them in Rome. Without waiting for Paul to come to them, they traveled southward to meet him, and all others that were accompanying him. They met in Appii Forum and The Three Taverns - cities located just south of Rome. This seemed to give Paul great courage, and he thanked God for the opportunity to, at last meet and fellowship, with them. Reading the opening verses from Paul's letter to the Christians of Rome we learn of his love for them as well as his desire to come to them. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me (Rom. 1:11-12). This desire had now been fulfilled, and for that, Paul was thankful.

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard. The centurion, that had guarded and accompanied Paul and the other prisoners from Caesarea, when arriving in Rome, had completed his task. The journey being over, he then relinquished guardianship of the prisoners to the captain of the guard, also known as the Praetorian Guard. This passage indicates that all prisoners, with the exception of Paul, were taken to, and detained, in the common provincial prison camp. However, Paul was given a special privilege. Although he was chained to a personal guard (See Vs. 20 following), he was allowed to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. There Paul awaited his trial before Caesar.