Acts 22-28: The Power of God to Salvation

Paul's faith has taken him to Rome, his final destination.  All along the way, he has witnessed to religious leaders and to kings and emperors about the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Some have come close to believing, some have been indifferent, and some have become incensed. 

I know where you're coming from, he told them.  “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. (Acts 22:3 NIV)  But, as he told anyone who would listen, something happened to Paul.  On the road to Damascus, he met Jesus in person and that encounter became the cornerstone of his existence. 

Paul was taken before many influential  rulers.  He was arrested, for his own safety, as the Jewish leaders were intent on killing him.  He was taken before the Sanhedrin where a massive argument broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees about whether or not there was life after death.  He was transferred to Caesarea with a detachment of two hundred solders, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen during the night to avoid those wanting to kill him.  During his two year stay in Caesarea, he went before both governors Felix and Festus, and eventually King Agrippa.  He witnessed to them all.  On the way to Rome, he witnessed to those on board the ship.  He witnessed to the chief official of Malta ,where they were shipwrecked ,and eventually, still witnessing to the gospel, he arrived in Rome where he called together the Jewish leaders to witness to them as well. 

Of all of these people there is very little record or memory of their deeds.  The great temples, palaces, forums, and theaters, where Paul witnessed are mostly piles of rubble, if they survive at all.  But, the story of Paul and the gospel he preached has survived for over two thousand years. That gospel has not changed and like Paul, millions have proclaimed it down through the centuries.  Paul summed it up for all believers: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Rom. 1:16 NIV)

That gospel still is, and will always be, the power of God to salvation.