Unlikely Leaders

Paul Wins Converts in the Emperor’s Palace

The gospel has always had its greatest success among the humbler classes. “Not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26). No one could expect Paul, a poor, friendless prisoner, to be able to gain the attention of the wealthy classes of Roman citizens. Sin held them as willing captives. But many among the weary, deprived victims of their oppression, even poor slaves, gladly listened to Paul, and in Christ they found hope and peace. The apostle’s work began with the poor, but its influence spread until it reached the emperor’s palace. ULe 170.1

Rome was the metropolis of the world. The haughty Caesars were giving laws to nearly every nation on earth. King and officials were either ignorant of the humble Nazarene or hated and scorned Him. And yet in less than two years the gospel found its way into the emperor’s halls. “The word of God is not chained,” said Paul (2 Timothy 2:9). ULe 170.2

Earlier, the apostle had publicly proclaimed the faith of Christ with appealing power before the wise men of Greece, before kings and governors. Haughty rulers trembled as if they were already seeing the terrors of the day of God. ULe 170.3

Now the apostle, confined to his house, was able to proclaim the truth only to those who looked for him there. Yet at this very time, when its chief spokesman was cut off from public work, the gospel experienced a great victory. Members were added to the church from the household of the king. ULe 170.4

In the Roman court, Nero seemed to have obliterated from his soul the last trace of the divine, and even of the human. His attending officials, in general, were of the same character—fierce, debased, and corrupt. Yet even in Nero’s household, trophies of the cross were won. From the evil attendants of the more evil king came converts who became children of God—Christians not ashamed of their faith. ULe 170.5