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NASB | Acts 27:24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.' |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 27:24 and said, 'Stop being afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has given you [the lives of] all those who are sailing with you.' |
Bible Question:
Thanks Nolan. I agree. Historical tradition tells us that Paul was executed by Nero, who was a ruler from the House of Caesar clan. I believe Paul declared the gospel boldly and powerfully to him, just as God had promised, and as Paul had declared to Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa. Does anyone know if there are any early church history writings that might confirm Paul preaching the gospel to Nero? retxar |
Bible Answer: Greetings retxar! According to "Eusebius: The Church History" by Paul L. Maier... "c. A.D. 66 22. Nero sent Festus as [Felix's] successor, and Paul was tried before him and brought as prisoner to Rome. Aristarchus went with him, whom he called his fellow prisoner in his epistles [Col. 4:10]. And at this point Luke, who wrote the Acts of the Apostles, finished his story with the statement that Paul spent two whole years in Rome in free custody, preaching without hindrance. After defending himself [successfully], the apostle is said to have set out again on the ministry of preaching and, coming a second time to the same city, found fulfillment in martyrdom. During this imprisonment he composed the second epistle to Timothy, mentioning both his earlier defense as well as his impending fulfillment. Note his testimony on this point: "At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear, and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth." [2 Timothy 4:16-17 NASB] He clearly shows by this that on the first occasion, so that his preaching mission might be fulfilled, he was rescued from the lion's mouth, apparently referring to Nero because of his ferocity. He does not add any such words as "He will deliver me from the lion's mouth," since he saw in the Spirit that his death was imminent. So after the words, "I was rescued from the lion's mouth" he continues: "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom," indicating his impending martyrdom. And this he predicts even more clearly in the same letter, saying, "I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come" [2 Tim. 4:6]. Now in this second epistle to Timothy, he states that only Luke was with him when he wrote and at his first defense not even he. Therefore Luke probably wrote the Acts of the Apostles at that time, having recorded events throughout the time he was with Paul. I have said this to show that Paul's martyrdom did not take place during the stay in Rome that Luke describes. Since Nero's disposition was at first milder*, it was likely easier for Paul's defense of the faith to be accepted, but when he [Nero] proceeded to commit reckless crimes, the apostles were attacked along with others. * Up to A.D. 62- about the time of Paul's trial- it was indeed. His adviser Seneca retired that year, however, and Nero came under the baleful influence of Tigellinus." The writings of Eusebius confirm that Paul proclaimed his case to Nero. However, this had little effect on Nero, since Eusebius mentions little about the encounter, except for the fact that Paul was martyred for his faith. Josephus mentions little about Nero except for the fact that he was made emperor (Antiq. 20.8.2, War 2.12.8), a most cruel tyrant (Antiq. 20.8.2), and that Nero died a violent death (War 4.9.2). Blessings to you, Nolan |
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Makarios |