Chapter 47—The Final Arrest
Paul's work among the churches after his acquittal at Rome, could not escape the observation of his enemies. Since the beginning of the persecution under Nero the Christians had everywhere been a proscribed sect. After a time the unbelieving Jews conceived the idea of fastening upon Paul the crime of instigating the burning of Rome. Not one of them thought for a moment that he was guilty; but they knew that such a charge, made with the faintest show of plausibility, would seal his doom. Through their efforts, Paul was again arrested, and hurried away to his final imprisonment.
AA 489.1
On his second voyage to Rome, Paul was accompanied by several of his former companions; others earnestly desired to share his lot, but he refused to permit them thus to imperil their lives. The prospect before him was far less favorable than at the time of his former imprisonment. The persecution under Nero had greatly lessened the number of Christians in Rome. Thousands had been martyred for their faith, many had left the city, and those who remained were greatly depressed and intimidated.
AA 489.2
Upon his arrival at Rome, Paul was placed in a gloomy dungeon, there to remain until his course should be finished. Accused of instigating one of the basest and most terrible of crimes against the city and the nation, he was the object of universal execration.
AA 490.1
The few friends who had shared the burdens of the apostle, now began to leave him, some by desertion, and others on missions to the various churches. Phygellus and Hermogenes were the first to go. Then Demas, dismayed by the thickening clouds of difficulty and danger, forsook the persecuted apostle. Crescens was sent by Paul to the churches of Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia, Tychicus to Ephesus. Writing to Timothy of this experience, Paul said, “Only Luke is with me.” 2 Timothy 4:11. Never had the apostle needed the ministrations of his brethren as now, enfeebled as he was by age, toil, and infirmities, and confined in the damp, dark vaults of a Roman prison. The services of Luke, the beloved disciple and faithful friend, were a great comfort to Paul and enabled him to communicate with his brethren and the world without.
AA 490.2
In this trying time Paul's heart was cheered by frequent visits from Onesiphorus. This warmhearted Ephesian did all in his power to lighten the burden of the apostle's imprisonment. His beloved teacher was in bonds for the truth's sake, while he himself went free, and he spared himself no effort to make Paul's lot more bearable.
AA 490.3
In the last letter that the apostle ever wrote, he speaks thus of this faithful disciple: “The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day.” 2 Timothy 1:16-18.
AA 491.1
The desire for love and sympathy is implanted in the heart by God Himself. Christ, in His hour of agony in Gethsemane, longed for the sympathy of His disciples. And Paul, though apparently indifferent to hardship and suffering, yearned for sympathy and companionship. The visit of Onesiphorus, testifying to his fidelity at a time of loneliness and desertion, brought gladness and cheer to one who had spent his life in service for others.
AA 491.2
127
AA
The Acts of the Apostles
[{"para_id":"127.5","title":"Preface","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0002_eng_m_preface_127_7.mp3#duration=220&size=1872733"},{"para_id":"127.22","title":"Chapter 1\u2014God's Purpose for His Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0004_eng_m_chapter_1_god_s_purpose_for_his_church_127_22.mp3#duration=773&size=6301029"},{"para_id":"127.53","title":"Chapter 2\u2014The Training of the Twelve","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0005_eng_m_chapter_2_the_training_of_the_twelve_127_53.mp3#duration=722&size=5889173"},{"para_id":"127.86","title":"Chapter 3\u2014The Great Commission","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0006_eng_m_chapter_3_the_great_commission_127_86.mp3#duration=934&size=7585304"},{"para_id":"127.128","title":"Chapter 4\u2014Pentecost","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0007_eng_m_chapter_4_pentecost_127_128.mp3#duration=1165&size=9431451"},{"para_id":"127.180","title":"Chapter 5\u2014The Gift of the Spirit","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0008_eng_m_chapter_5_the_gift_of_the_spirit_127_180.mp3#duration=978&size=7938390"},{"para_id":"127.222","title":"Chapter 6\u2014At the Temple Gate","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0009_eng_m_chapter_6_at_the_temple_gate_127_222.mp3#duration=1223&size=9897719"},{"para_id":"127.281","title":"Chapter 7\u2014A Warning Against Hypocrisy","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0010_eng_m_chapter_7_a_warning_against_hypocrisy_127_281.mp3#duration=656&size=5359726"},{"para_id":"127.312","title":"Chapter 8\u2014Before the Sanhedrin","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0011_eng_m_chapter_8_before_the_sanhedrin_127_312.mp3#duration=919&size=7465053"},{"para_id":"127.355","title":"Chapter 9\u2014The Seven Deacons","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0012_eng_m_chapter_9_the_seven_deacons_127_355.mp3#duration=937&size=7613541"},{"para_id":"127.396","title":"Chapter 10\u2014The First Christian Martyr","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0013_eng_m_chapter_10_the_first_christian_martyr_127_396.mp3#duration=516&size=4238364"},{"para_id":"127.422","title":"Chapter 11\u2014The Gospel in Samaria","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0014_eng_m_chapter_11_the_gospel_in_samaria_127_422.mp3#duration=831&size=6760841"},{"para_id":"127.463","title":"Chapter 12\u2014From Persecutor to Disciple","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0015_eng_m_chapter_12_from_persecutor_to_disciple_127_463.mp3#duration=1075&size=8716854"},{"para_id":"127.516","title":"Chapter 13\u2014Days of Preparation","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0016_eng_m_chapter_13_days_of_preparation_127_516.mp3#duration=769&size=6268457"},{"para_id":"127.551","title":"Chapter 14\u2014A Seeker for Truth","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0017_eng_m_chapter_14_a_seeker_for_truth_127_551.mp3#duration=1048&size=8495703"},{"para_id":"127.614","title":"Chapter 15\u2014Delivered From Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0018_eng_m_chapter_15_delivered_from_prison_127_614.mp3#duration=1114&size=9024189"},{"para_id":"127.672","title":"Chapter 16\u2014The Gospel Message in Antioch","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0019_eng_m_chapter_16_the_gospel_message_in_antioch_127_672.mp3#duration=1026&size=8323855"},{"para_id":"127.719","title":"Chapter 17\u2014Heralds of the Gospel","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0020_eng_m_chapter_17_heralds_of_the_gospel_127_719.mp3#duration=1016&size=8242209"},{"para_id":"127.772","title":"Chapter 18\u2014Preaching Among the Heathen","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0021_eng_m_chapter_18_preaching_among_the_heathen_127_772.mp3#duration=937&size=7610631"},{"para_id":"127.824","title":"Chapter 19\u2014Jew and Gentile","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0022_eng_m_chapter_19_jew_and_gentile_127_824.mp3#duration=1242&size=10048136"},{"para_id":"127.882","title":"Chapter 20\u2014Exalting the Cross","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0023_eng_m_chapter_20_exalting_the_cross_127_882.mp3#duration=933&size=7577369"},{"para_id":"127.926","title":"Chapter 21\u2014In the Regions Beyond","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0024_eng_m_chapter_21_in_the_regions_beyond_127_926.mp3#duration=863&size=7019328"},{"para_id":"127.972","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Thessalonica","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0025_eng_m_chapter_22_thessalonica_127_972.mp3#duration=979&size=7945600"},{"para_id":"127.1020","title":"Chapter 23\u2014Berea and Athens","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0026_eng_m_chapter_23_berea_and_athens_127_1020.mp3#duration=1118&size=9058468"},{"para_id":"127.1076","title":"Chapter 24\u2014Corinth","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0027_eng_m_chapter_24_corinth_127_1076.mp3#duration=1102&size=8926811"},{"para_id":"127.1124","title":"Chapter 25\u2014The Thessalonian Letters","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0028_eng_m_chapter_25_the_thessalonian_letters_127_1124.mp3#duration=1250&size=10111047"},{"para_id":"127.1187","title":"Chapter 26\u2014Apollos at Corinth","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0029_eng_m_chapter_26_apollos_at_corinth_127_1187.mp3#duration=1185&size=9594512"},{"para_id":"127.1240","title":"Chapter 27\u2014Ephesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0030_eng_m_chapter_27_ephesus_127_1240.mp3#duration=964&size=7823458"},{"para_id":"127.1286","title":"Chapter 28\u2014Days of Toil and Trial","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0031_eng_m_chapter_28_days_of_toil_and_trial_127_1286.mp3#duration=600&size=4911778"},{"para_id":"127.1318","title":"Chapter 29\u2014A Message of Warning and Entreaty","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0032_eng_m_chapter_29_a_message_of_warning_and_entreaty_127_1318.mp3#duration=974&size=7902169"},{"para_id":"127.1365","title":"Chapter 30\u2014Called to Reach a Higher Standard","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0033_eng_m_chapter_30_called_to_reach_a_higher_standard_127_1365.mp3#duration=1355&size=10958319"},{"para_id":"127.1427","title":"Chapter 31\u2014The Message Heeded","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0034_eng_m_chapter_31_the_message_heeded_127_1427.mp3#duration=1119&size=9065902"},{"para_id":"127.1476","title":"Chapter 32\u2014A Liberal Church","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0035_eng_m_chapter_32_a_liberal_church_127_1476.mp3#duration=1055&size=8555731"},{"para_id":"127.1525","title":"Chapter 33\u2014Laboring Under Difficulties","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0036_eng_m_chapter_33_laboring_under_difficulties_127_1525.mp3#duration=1175&size=9517198"},{"para_id":"127.1582","title":"Chapter 34\u2014A Consecrated Ministry","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0037_eng_m_chapter_34_a_consecrated_ministry_127_1582.mp3#duration=1255&size=10156303"},{"para_id":"127.1638","title":"Chapter 35\u2014Salvation to the Jews","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0038_eng_m_chapter_35_salvation_to_the_jews_127_1638.mp3#duration=985&size=7992854"},{"para_id":"127.1682","title":"Chapter 36\u2014Apostasy in Galatia","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0039_eng_m_chapter_36_apostasy_in_galatia_127_1682.mp3#duration=542&size=4446436"},{"para_id":"127.1709","title":"Chapter 37\u2014Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0040_eng_m_chapter_37_paul_s_last_journey_to_jerusalem_127_1709.mp3#duration=923&size=7497992"},{"para_id":"127.1757","title":"Chapter 38\u2014Paul a Prisoner","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0041_eng_m_chapter_38_paul_a_prisoner_127_1757.mp3#duration=1820&size=14678192"},{"para_id":"127.1849","title":"Chapter 39\u2014The Trial at Caesarea","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0042_eng_m_chapter_39_the_trial_at_caesarea_127_1849.mp3#duration=834&size=6785270"},{"para_id":"127.1890","title":"Chapter 40\u2014Paul Appeals to Caesar","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0043_eng_m_chapter_40_paul_appeals_to_caesar_127_1890.mp3#duration=392&size=3250567"},{"para_id":"127.1909","title":"Chapter 41\u2014\u201cAlmost Thou Persuadest Me\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0044_eng_m_chapter_41_almost_thou_persuadest_me_127_1909.mp3#duration=549&size=4504538"},{"para_id":"127.1939","title":"Chapter 42\u2014The Voyage and Shipwreck","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0045_eng_m_chapter_42_the_voyage_and_shipwreck_127_1939.mp3#duration=710&size=5790271"},{"para_id":"127.1976","title":"Chapter 43\u2014In Rome","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0046_eng_m_chapter_43_in_rome_127_1976.mp3#duration=1273&size=10300416"},{"para_id":"127.2039","title":"Chapter 44\u2014Caesar's Household","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0047_eng_m_chapter_44_caesar_s_household_127_2039.mp3#duration=717&size=5845913"},{"para_id":"127.2074","title":"Chapter 45\u2014Written From Rome","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0048_eng_m_chapter_45_written_from_rome_127_2074.mp3#duration=1584&size=12783203"},{"para_id":"127.2144","title":"Chapter 46\u2014At Liberty","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0049_eng_m_chapter_46_at_liberty_127_2144.mp3#duration=306&size=2562544"},{"para_id":"127.2162","title":"Chapter 47\u2014The Final Arrest","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0050_eng_m_chapter_47_the_final_arrest_127_2162.mp3#duration=216&size=1840167"},{"para_id":"127.2174","title":"Chapter 48\u2014Paul Before Nero","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0051_eng_m_chapter_48_paul_before_nero_127_2174.mp3#duration=547&size=4489592"},{"para_id":"127.2201","title":"Chapter 49\u2014Paul's Last Letter","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0052_eng_m_chapter_49_paul_s_last_letter_127_2201.mp3#duration=1021&size=8282647"},{"para_id":"127.2250","title":"Chapter 50\u2014Condemned to Die","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0053_eng_m_chapter_50_condemned_to_die_127_2250.mp3#duration=455&size=3756819"},{"para_id":"127.2269","title":"Chapter 51\u2014A Faithful Under-Shepherd","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0054_eng_m_chapter_51_a_faithful_under_shepherd_127_2269.mp3#duration=1456&size=11761042"},{"para_id":"127.2335","title":"Chapter 52\u2014Steadfast Unto the End","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0055_eng_m_chapter_52_steadfast_unto_the_end_127_2335.mp3#duration=906&size=7359388"},{"para_id":"127.2377","title":"Chapter 53\u2014John the Beloved","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0056_eng_m_chapter_53_john_the_beloved_127_2377.mp3#duration=697&size=5688867"},{"para_id":"127.2409","title":"Chapter 54\u2014A Faithful Witness","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0057_eng_m_chapter_54_a_faithful_witness_127_2409.mp3#duration=1002&size=8132499"},{"para_id":"127.2454","title":"Chapter 55\u2014Transformed by Grace","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0058_eng_m_chapter_55_transformed_by_grace_127_2454.mp3#duration=1083&size=8779611"},{"para_id":"127.2496","title":"Chapter 56\u2014Patmos","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0059_eng_m_chapter_56_patmos_127_2496.mp3#duration=887&size=7211205"},{"para_id":"127.2541","title":"Chapter 57\u2014The Revelation","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0060_eng_m_chapter_57_the_revelation_127_2541.mp3#duration=1522&size=12293979"},{"para_id":"127.2611","title":"Chapter 58\u2014The Church Triumphant","mp3":"\/mp3\/127\/0061_eng_m_chapter_58_the_church_triumphant_127_2611.mp3#duration=1029&size=8348746"}]