When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. Acts 28:16
It was hard to hate a man who got you through a violent voyage, and shrugged off the deadly snake bite, and then proceeded to heal the incurable.
Then you watch him greeted as a victorious warrior by people he’d never seen before on the walk into Rome, and witness the loyalty of his traveling companions, always huddled together with heads bowed.
At some point you use whatever latitude you have and “grant him leave” (in the Greek, epitrepo). That’s apparently what Julius did with Paul. He put him up in his own place, albeit “chained” to a soldier.
But Paul insisted he pay for the accommodations! Pity the soldier who pulled this assignment. Brings new meaning to the phrase “captive audience.” This soldier was unquestionably the most likely person in all the world, ever, to put his faith in Christ.
With only a brief respite of three days, Paul summoned the leading Jews of the city to meet with him. He would take this opportunity to one more time attempt to reach his own people. Earlier, he spent three chapters in his letter to the Romans, in no uncertain terms, trying to win them over.
For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. Romans 9:3-5
When they arrived, Paul briefed them on his trials and tribulations, of which they said they knew nothing.
“They said to him, ‘We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.’” Acts 28:21-22
So they agreed to come back with others to hear him out, but they would be a hard sell, for what they knew about this “sect” to which he belonged was not good.
A large number of Jews did descend upon his apartment to hear him out. Paul reasoned with them on their own turf, from the law and the prophets, and some believed. To those who didn’t, he offered a passage in Isaiah (Isaiah 6:9-10), through which the Holy Spirit predicted that though they might hear, they would not understand. Then he said this.
“Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” Acts 28:28
The word “Gentiles” always triggered his unbelieving brothers, almost immediately causing strife. They left bickering amongst themselves. This would be par for the course down through the ages, that only “some” would believe.
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