Welcome to 10 minute Bible Talks, where we connect the Bible to your life in the time it takes to get to work.

I'm Keith Simon.

We're in the last chapter of the Book of Acts. Acts 28, Paul and his companions find themselves on the island of Malta.

They've been there about three months sheltering

during the winter, so they've been there probably from mid-November to mid-February.

And now the weather is changing and they can sail again.

So they get on a ship from Alexandria which has also spent the winter in Malta.

Luke tells us that the boat's figurehead was two twin gods, Castor and Pollocks, who according to Greco-Roman mythology

were the sons of Jupiter, who is also known as Zeus.

I know all the mythology can get confusing, but these are the gods of navigation and the sea.

So now here Paul and his companions, they leave Malta and they've got a few stops to make before landing in modern day Italy.

When they get out of the boat they travel approximately 140 miles due north up the famous Appian Way.

It leads straight into Rome.

The Christians in Rome had heard that Paul was coming to their city.

So they went out about 30 to 40 miles outside the city to greet him and then

walk with him into Rome.

verse 15 at the side of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

Paul was encouraged that these believers were coming out of the city

to greet him and escort him into Rome.

But remember that Paul is still under the guard of the Roman authorities.

That's why he's going to Rome. He's not coming as a guest, but as a prisoner.

But when he gets to Rome, he doesn't have to spend his time in a cell.

...