Paul's Final Conference

Almost immediately upon arriving in Rome, Paul appeals to meet with the local Jewish population, as was his custom in most of the places he visited. Paul explains the circumstances of his imprisonment, but says that he has nothing against the nation, as he is bound "for the hope of Israel." Despite the fact that we know of Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles, he regularly presents the Gospel to his own countrymen first. The local Jews state that they know little of Paul, but are willing to hear from him, so a day is set up for a meeting where Paul (imitating Christ on the road to Emmaus) explains Christ from the Old Testament. The meeting lasts all day, at the end of which some believe, and some do not. Please pray that God would prepare us to have ears ready to receive this text this week, that we might be as earnest to speak of the Kingdom of God as Paul was.