Lesson 10 - Imprisonment at Rome and End

 Lesson 10

Imprisonment at Rome and End

Objective: To be convinced that being with Christ absent in the body is far better.

Bible Portion: Phil. Chapter: 1, 2 Tim. Chapter: 4

Memory Verse: 2 Tim: 4: 6-9

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. Be diligent to come to me quickly;

Introduction:

How did Paul reach Rome? Why? Recollect the previous lesson. On reaching Rome, Paul was imprisoned. At first, he was granted some liberty. He evangelized the visitors and soldiers there. As a result, the gospel was spread even in the palace of Caesar. Some of the soldiers of the cruel Nero were also converted. He worked in the Roman prison on behalf of Christ. Since the Jews were unable to prove their charges against him, he was released and could work with freedom for some more time.

The book of Acts ends with Paul's imprisonment in Rome. He stood on trial only after two years. The delay was caused because of the Jew who had to come up with leveling charges against Paul. We have on already seen what the Jew held against him (Acts24; 5-6). In the later part, his imprisonment took on rigorous dimensions with strict confinement. Yet, he shared the gospel with anyone who visited him. Though he was in bonds, his gospel was with anyone who visited him. Though he was in bonds, his gospel was not bound. He led many of his visitors to Christ at this time (Phillo). Besides, he utilized time for giving practical instructions and admonitions to various churches after hearing about the activities of the respective fields from visitors coming to him. When in prison, he used to receive material help from churches, like Philippi (Ph.4:10). The epistles known as prison Epistles were written during this period (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon-AD-61-630.

Paul's prison life was beneficial to the Lord's ministry in many ways. When Paul was in Prison, the word of God entered Caesar's palace, the center of the Roman government. The Caesar of Rome at that time was the fifth emperor Nero. He was a cruel ruler (A.D 54-68) Who persecuted the Christians in the most horrible way. He killed his own brother and mother; Nero had the city in the place of the former. This led to the persecution of Christians were killed. Nero committed suicide in AD 68.

Nero's soldiers had stood on guard over Paul. In those days, according to the Roman law of prisoners guard, the hand of a prisoner was chained to a soldier's hand. Soldiers on duty kept changing shifts of night and day. Paul shared the gospel with each of them. As a result, the whole place guards knew that Paul was in Prison because he was a servant of Christ(Phill:13). Moreover, some belonging to Caesars Palaces also accepted Christ. Paul was accompanied by them while saluting the church at Philippi(Phil 4:22). In spite of imprisonment, Paul never felt depressed or sorrowful about himself. Instead, he was always ready to testify about his Lord. Being ready in and out of Season, he performed the work of an evangelist. He got an opportunity to take the gospel even to the royal court of Caesar. Paul was thoroughly convinced that he was the Ambassador of many nations present. But one difference! Those worlds ambassadors moved about with all freedom, whereas he served as the ambassador in bonds for heaven (Eph 6:19,20 cf 2 cor 5:20) 

Release from the Imprisonment in Rome

Paul had expected that he would be released from prison temporarily and would be able to visit some places, including Philippi (Phil2:23,24,1:19,25,26, Phili 22) The historians generally agree with the fact that Paul was released from prison after A.D 63. His desire to visit Spain also was fulfilled after the release (Rom15.24)

Freed in A.D 63, he had probably worked with freedom until AD 67. It was during this time that he left Titus in Crete. But towards the close of his ministry, he could begin in Crete, the completion of which was entrusted to Titus (Titus 1:5). We get some hints about this period from the second epistles to Timothy "The cloak that I left in Troas points to this period(Tim 4:13) Also in the epistles to Titus Paul tells him to do his best to come to him at necropolis(Titus 3:21) which also signifies the same period.

During the period A.D. 63 to 67, Paul traveled to Macedonia, Greece, Asia Minor, Spain, etc., and worked for the Lord. He wrote the first epistle to Timothy and the one to Titus at Macedonia.

Second Imprisonment in Rome.

The Roman government imposed anti-Christian laws in the whole empire. Then Paul was arrested and brought to Rome in Chains. This time his imprisonment was rigorous. Formerly his friends had the freedom to visit and help him. But now, that freedom was denied. When the believers learned that if they identified with Paul, it would be harmful to their well-being, they began to withdraw from Paul. The second Epistle to Timothy was written at that time. This was the final epistle, and the words that came from Paul were very touching. Everyone in that province of Asia whom he loved deeply had deserted him (2 Tim 1:14). Even his closet and nearest people felt ashamed of his suffering and chains (2 Tim 1:8,17). Demas, a fellow worker with him, had also deserted him. Many of his intimate friends were not with him now. He instructed Timothy to bring Mark to him soon (2 Tim 4:9-18). Also, he wrote to Timothy to bring his cloak and scrolls that he had left at Troas before winter.

Even then, notice his courage and hope expressed in his last words!. His words don't sound at all like those of a defeatist or desperate person (Tim 1:8-14, 2:3, 10:13, 2:12, 4:6-8). He knew for sure that the due time for him, the brave soldier of Jesus Christ, to pour out his life as a drink offering at the feet of his beloved Master had arrived. In front of his sufferings that were for a moment, the eternal weight of glory became all the brighter. That day which would prove what he labored and ran for was not in vain, became more glittering before him.

Paul, the greatest apostle, stood before the cruel Emperor Nero. The trial was over. The death sentence was declared for Paul. He was led from the dark cell outside the city of Rome. Only some mean, and utter scoundrels followed him to the place of execution. As they reached the place of execution, Paul slowly stooped down and kept his neck close to the wooden piece on which he was to be beheaded. Immediately the executioners fell on his sacred neck. Paul "departed to be with Christ." Paul, who said during his lifetime that it was far better to be with Christ, now experienced it. Now he is resting in paradise with Christ until he shall stand before his beloved Lord to receive his crowns. That day we shall see Paul along with thousands and thousands of souls who were his direct converts, as well as those who have come to Christ through his writings through the centuries. Do you have that blessed hope personally and commitment to serve the Lord at costs?