Paul's Journey to Rome

Paul was seized by a mob in the temple courts and rescued by Roman soldiers. Flogged, imprisoned, facing plots on his life - the Lord stood near Paul and said 'Take courage! You must testify in Rome.'

Transferred under heavy guard to Caesarea, Paul was held for two years under Felix, then Festus. He made his defense before King Agrippa. When Festus suggested Jerusalem, Paul said 'I appeal to Caesar!'

Julius the centurion treated Paul kindly and let him go to his friends to receive care. The ship sailed in the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against them.

At Myra in Lycia, the centurion found an Alexandrian ship bound for Italy and put the prisoners aboard.

Already past the safe sailing season, Paul warned against continuing. 'Men, I can see that this voyage is going to be disastrous.' The centurion listened to the pilot and owner, not Paul. They voted to press on toward Phoenix.

A violent northeaster called the Euroclydon drove the ship for fourteen days. The ship ran aground. All 276 people made it safely to shore on Malta. Paul survived a viper bite; he healed Publius's father and many others. They stayed three months.

After sailing from Malta on an Alexandrian ship, they put in at Syracuse in Sicily and stayed three days.

From Syracuse they made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up and they made Puteoli in two days.

At Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli), Paul found brothers who invited him to stay for seven days. The church in Italy had already been established.

Brothers from Rome came as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet Paul. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

Another group of Roman Christians met Paul at Three Taverns on the Appian Way, accompanying him into the city.

Paul entered Rome and lived two years in his own rented house under guard. He welcomed all who came, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ - with complete openness and without hindrance.