The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-19

Rome in Prophecy vii. 1926
The Church at Rome. --.-.--.------.Rom xvi, 800
Paul at Rome (the Lesson Acts xviii. 1851
The Calling of the Gentiles. --.....Rom. H, 11-21
Power TO Work Miracles Matt. x, 40
The Bessedness of Faith. GAL iii, 7-2o
AS soon as the Apostle reached Rome and
was delivered over to the Pratorian Guard, he
twas suffered to abide by himself with the sol
der who guarded him."
When he entered the city as prisoner in
March, A. d. 81, Rome was recognized as the
great city of the world. It was the capital Of
the empire that then covered more than 5000, 900
square miles of territory, and had population
of over 2O,000 600 souls. 1t covered the whole
of the then known world, and extended from the
Atlantic to the Euphrates, and from the Rhine
and Danube to the Great Desert and the cata-
racts of the Nile. The city had about 1000, 900
inhabitants and was the great center of thought
and life for the whole empire. Any great intiu-
ence exerted here would be felt in every part of
the world Any religious instruction given to
the soldiers would sooner or later reach almost
every camp of every legion When we remem
Der the man we can see how Paul would appre-
ciate such magnificent opportunity of work for
this outworking plan of Providence.
Luxe, Aristarchus and Timothy Tychicus
and Onesimus, Mark and Demas, and other be-
levers, were with him for longer or shorter
period ministering to his wants and encour-
aging him by their presence. After three days,
Paul sent for the ''chief of the jews" and
when they were come together he narrated the
cause of his imprisonment and his appeal to the
emperor. They had received no letters con-
oerning him from Judea. and no reports had
come to them about Paul; but they desired to
hear from him concerning this sect everywhere
spoken against. A day was appointed, and
large numbers came into his lodging to hear
what he had to say He reasoned with them
out of the prophets. from morning till
evening, convincing some and irri,
tating others So -"when they agreed
not among themselves, they departed after
that Paul had spoken one word" quoting
prophecy of Isaiah against them, and declaring
his intention henceforth to preach to the gen.
tiles. The Christians at Rome included a num-
Der OF gentiles and even some belonging to the
household of Caesar" The church there was
probably planted by strangers returning from
Jerusalem after the great Pentecost when Peter
preached. To them Paul had addressed one OF
his epistles. confirming them in their faith.
Classic Latin authors, it is believed, mention
some Of the persons to whom Paul had sent
greetings Doubtless many of those whom he
addressed were now his benefactors and helpers,
and to them he was indebted for means of sub
sstence beyond what the Roman guard fur
nished. The church thus established and built
up by Paul has always had a footing in 1.-The
Eternal City" Rooted out elsewhere by perse-
cutions and wars, its seat was established here;
and for eighteen centuries it has continued to
exist Neither fire nor sword could put it down,
and within three centuries it became the donll
nant religion of the empire
The laws. delay gave Paul grand opportunity
to preach the gospel under very favorable cir
cumstances. 1t may have been necessary to
o1~A g. -Dff1 ,n
charges against Paul, the originals being lost
possibly at the time of the shipwreck. Or it
may have been necessary for the accusers to
have been summoned. But, whatever the cause
of the delay, Paul used the two years of waiting
as given him by Providence, and he received all
that came in unto him. 1t is almost certain that
many of the soldiers would drop in from time to
time to visit their companions who acted as
guard to Paul, and it is sure that the change of
the guard would bring new ones within his reach.
We know, Also that he had friends in the palace
who were believers. In this way he had access
to those who were high in civil and military sta
ton, and they, reaching others, carried the
teachings of Christianity all through the empire:
and being under the protection of the Roman
government, he was more free than be had ever
been from the plots and prosecutions of his old
enemies the Jews So it seems probable that
he could not have been more favoraby situated
for preaching the kingdom of God and for boldly
teaching those things which concern the Lord
Jesus Christ
To human view it would seem that four of the
best years of Paul's life were wasted. But God
seeth not as man seeth. These four years of
captivity were not wasted. At Casarea his
friends had constant access to him, and many
messages were doubtless sent to the churches by
living messengers. Here it is supposed that
Luke wrote his gospel under the superintend-
ence of Paul. And now at Rome Paul wrote
some of those epistles that have been ever since
the richest exposition of divine truth which the
church possesses. God knows how to make the
best use of his instruments; and what has some
times seemed TO be the quenching of their light
was but the means of kindling many torches
that have never been extinguished. Paul in
bonds, John in exile, Luther in the Wartburg,
Bunyan in Bedford Jail, Baxter in prison, lighted
beaconS on many mountain-top that are still
flaming throughout all lands.
TRUTHS TO BE APPLIED.
No Cause for Despondency-Paul, on reaching
Rome, finding himself still prisoner, and re-
jected by so many Jews, might have given way
to dependency. On the contrary, he looks for
the bright side. and what use he can make of
such opportunities as he has. Cultivate the
habit of looking the bright side; use the
chances you have. Be ready to take hold of the
least, and greater ones will be sure to follow
Example is Better than Precept-Too often
teachers and parents, as well as minister's so
teach the doctrines of retribution that they are
powerless to move the hearts of the mpenitent.
1t must be done with tender love, and it must
also be declared as Paul did, as the word of
God, and not as the will of man.
Be Faithful to Duty-Speak the Kings mes
sage. whether men heed or not. The servant
must be true, though the world prove false.
The Best Method of Work-Paul uses three
spiritual weapons with very great forces H.
Love We can do little for men until we really
love them. (2) Warning. A faithful tender
statement of the danger of sin against God is
important a. Gods Word This, above all
others, is his weapon. He preached and taught
constantly the word of the Lord.
A Two-Edged Sword-The Word of God is
both SAVIOR of life and SAVIOR Of death, de-
pending upon how it is received. Veal or woe
wait on the issue. The message of mercy may
usher day of doom. Tho word spurned will
prove sure witness in judgment.