When we got to Rome, Paul was
allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
Three days later he
called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled,
Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing
against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was
arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined
me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime
deserving death. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to
appeal to Caesar—not that I had any charge to bring against my own
people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you.
It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this
chain."
They replied,
"We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you,
and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or
said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views
are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this
sect."
Paul reasons with the Jews
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and
came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From
morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom
of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses
and from the Prophets.
Some
were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They
disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made
this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your
forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
'Go to this people and say, "You will be
ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but
never perceiving."
For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'
Therefore I want you
to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they
will listen!
Paul taught from his rented house
For two whole years Paul
stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to
see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God
and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
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