Read and pray: "Jesus, approaching, spoke to them, saying: All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." (Mt 28:18)
Acts 28:11 says: “After three months, we set sail in an Alexandrian ship, which had wintered at the island and had the emblem of the Dioscuri.” The Dioscuri are Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Zeus. This was the image of the guardian deity of sailors, attached to the ship's stern.
After staying three days in Syracuse, they came to Regium, and then went to Puteoli, where they found brothers (vs. 12-14). In verse 14b, Luke says: "And so we came to Rome." And in verses 15 and 16, he continues: "When the brothers there heard about us, they came to meet us as far as the Appian Market and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. When we arrived in Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him."
In Latin, "Appian Market" is "Appii Forum," a place about seventy kilometers from Rome. In Latin, Three Taverns is "Tres Tabernæ," a place about fifty kilometers from Rome. The warm reception of the brothers in Rome and the loving care of the brothers in Puteoli (vs. 13-14) show the beautiful life of the Body among the churches and the apostles in the early days. This life was part of the heavenly life of the kingdom on the earth darkened by Satan and inhabited by man.
Apparently, the apostle, as a prisoner in chains, had entered the area of the dark capital of the empire usurped by Satan. In reality, as an ambassador of Christ with His authority (Eph 6:20; Mt 28:18-19), he had entered another part of participation in the collective life of His church in the kingdom of God on earth. While suffering persecution from religion in the empire of Satan, he enjoyed the life of the church in the kingdom of God, which was a comfort and encouragement to him.
According to verse 15, when Paul saw the brothers, he thanked God and took courage. This indicates that the apostle was quite human. Although he had been encouraged directly by the Lord (23:11) and had been quite brave throughout his journey (27:22-25, 33-36), he was still encouraged by the warm reception of the brothers. It was in Paul's elevated humanity with human virtues that Christ, with divine attributes, was expressed during his journey. He magnified Christ all the way in his adverse situation (Phil 1:20).
Before Paul arrived in Rome, the brothers there had heard about him and his companions and came to meet them at the Appian Market and Three Taverns. How did they receive the news about Paul? It is hard to say.
Perhaps some from Puteoli, where they had asked Paul to stay for seven days, brought the news to the brothers in Rome, who then came to meet him. The important thing here is that we see a picture of the church life in ancient times, a church life that was very enjoyable. We need to have such an enjoyable church life today and follow the model presented in these verses.
In chapter twenty-eight, Paul's desire to see Rome was fulfilled. The Judaizers tried to prevent him from going to the Gentiles, but the Lord sovereignly led him to Rome. In those days, going from Jerusalem to Rome was a big deal. But the Lord took him to the far-off Gentile world, even to the capital of the Roman Empire. Paul must have been very happy when he arrived in Rome. Outwardly he was in chains, but inwardly he was filled with glory and inexpressible joy.
Enjoy more: Hymn 11
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