In His Own Rented House

Acts 28:16-31

Key Verse 28:30,31

This passage teaches us the practical wisdom to pioneer all American college campuses of the U.S. which is the present day Rome.

1. Verse 16 says that finally Paul "got to" Rome. Philemon 1:9 indicates that Paul went to Rome at an old age as a "missionary" to a foreign land. What does his example suggest about the life of mission in the Lord? (Psalms 103:5; Isaiah 40:31; Phi 3:13; 2Co 3:18)

** 1) As we serve the Lord's mission, the older we get in human age, the stronger and younger (spiritually) we grow; 2) It is to become upward mobile, soaring like an eagle  on eagle's wings, for God's resurrection power is at work, enabling his servant to go from glory to glory, in an increasing measure. 

Read aloud 2 Corinthians 3:18 

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2. Romans 1:10-13 indicate that Paul prayed for "the [right] way" for him to come to Rome. Compare his life of prayer with the expression in the passage, "with a soldier to guard him" (16), "I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans" (17), or "I am bound with this chain" (20). Why do you think God allowed him to come to Rome in this way?

** According to Jesus, "It was to show him how much he must suffer for Jesus' name." (Acts 9:16)

From a practical standpoint, it was the glorious way for Paul to serve the Lord's world mission command. It was a "glorious" way in that as Paul said in 2Co 12:7-10 the greater the difficulties, the greater glory (or manifestation of God's intrinsic character such as his love and power) he was able to experience. 

3. Put yourself in the shoes of Paul. How do you think Paul resolved the problem of "room and board" in a foreign land (16, 23, 30) 

** The expression "in his own 'rented' house" indicates that he lived as a self-supporting missionary, paying for his own room and board. There it appears that he cooked for himself, cleaned the bathroom himself, did laundry himself, etc. 

4. Verse 17 states, "Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews." Verse 23 then says, "They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day..." and "from morning till evening he explained and declared...". What do these expressions indicate about the way Paul organized his time and plan of work in serving the Lord?

** 1) His prayer. 

Paul must have prayed a lot to get himself ready in advance for the meetings he arranged. 

2) His preparation for Bible studies.

Apparently what he did indicates that he had already prepared good study notes and teaching materials all in advance. 

3) His management of time

He did not waste time. He made calls and got the meetings organized in advance, systematically.

4) He went by appointments like we do in arranging 1:1 study appointments with college students in a location designated by mutual agreement.

5) He used his own rented house as a Bible center.

6) He made a plan when to meet whom for what purpose. 

7) Notice that he did not waste time to worry about his future, or to look around the international city or to watch TV etc. 

5. What does the following tell us about the message Paul carried to the people in Rome? 1) "hope of Israel" (20); 2) "preached the kingdom of God" (23,31); 3) "tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets" (23); and 4) "taught about the Lord Jesus Christ" (31)

** Overall he witnessed about Jesus as the Lord and Savior. He did not talk about politics or social issues or national agenda or how to make a living in an international city. 

1) Hope of Israel = Messiah [who has come]

2) God's kingdom = the rule of God among men through Jesus

3) Jesus is the promised Savior as written in the Bible.

4) Jesus is the Lord and the Messiah. 

6. Think about what Paul said to those who were unresponsive to his message in verses 25-28. What can we learn from Paul?

** This is consistent with Jesus' instruction to his apostles to shake the dust off their feet towards those who do not welcome the message of Jesus. It was not only to warn the people (who reject the gospel) of the impending judgment, but also for the apostles themselves, not to fall victim to self-pity or a sense of failure or defeatism.

7. Read verses 30-31. What can we learn from Paul who: 1) "stayed there in his own rented house"; 2) "welcomed all who came to see him"; and 3) "boldly...preached...and taught..."?

** 1) The spirit of a self-supporting missionary 

2) The spirit of a pioneer

3) The manger spirit

4) A house-church movement beginning from a rented studio apartment

5) 1:1 ministry

6) A Bible teaching ministry

7) A courageous spirit

The end

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