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Paul’s Voyage to Rome–What Others Saw in Him<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Bryan Gibson
\u201cI appeal to Caesar\u201d\u2014when Paul said these words to Festus (Acts 25:11), it enabled him to do something he wanted to do for many years (Romans 15:23), and that was to preach the gospel in Rome (Romans 1:8-15). Despite his status as a prisoner, Paul did \u201cbear witness at Rome\u201d (Acts 23:11; 28:16, 30-31); but he also had some things to say on the way to Rome, on that long and stormy voyage described in Acts 27-28. And here\u2019s how he spoke\u2014by the things his shipmates observed in him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They saw a man who gained the favor of the centurion.<\/strong> Julius allowed Paul to go to his friends in Sidon and receive care (Acts 27:1-3); he saved Paul\u2019s life when he kept the soldiers from killing the prisoners (Acts 27:42-44); and he gave Paul unusual liberties when they arrived in Rome (Acts 28:16, 30-31). The Lord used this centurion to make sure Paul got the opportunity to \u201cbear witness at Rome\u201d (Acts 23:11), to make sure all this \u201cturned out for the furtherance of the gospel\u201d (Philippians 1:12).<\/p>\n\n\n\n They saw a man who was not ashamed of his identity, not ashamed to confess God\u2019s name. <\/strong>\u201cFor there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve\u2026\u201d (Acts 27:23). Doesn\u2019t sound like much, until you contrast this with our own behavior\u2014how we sometimes might disguise our identity, for fear of what others might think or say or do. Don\u2019t ever be ashamed to say you\u2019re a Christian\u2014it might just get others interested in becoming one, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They saw a man who had faith in God.<\/strong> When the storm became so severe all hope was lost (Acts 27:20), the Lord spoke to Paul and said, \u201cDo not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you\u201d (Acts 27:24). Paul relayed this message to the others and then offered this assurance: \u201cTherefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me\u201d (Acts 27:25). That\u2019s the kind of faith we all need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They saw a man who prayed to God.<\/strong> \u201cAnd when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all\u2026then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves\u201d (Acts 27:35-36). We don\u2019t pray to be seen (Matthew 6:5), but there\u2019s nothing wrong with being seen praying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They saw a man who had family everywhere<\/strong>, referring of course to his family in the Lord. On this journey alone, Paul was greeted by brethren from Sidon, from Puteoli, and from Rome. Surely it impressed others to see the care they gave Paul (Acts 27:3), the hospitality they showed him (Acts 28:13-14), and the distance they traveled to offer him encouragement (Acts 28:15). And surely it impressed them to see how much this meant to Paul. \u201cWhen Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage\u201d (Acts 28:15). Folks outside this family would surely be impressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n — Via Plain Words from God’s Word<\/em>, April 2, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n ——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\n -2-<\/p>\n\n\n\n Heath Rogers<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. The Bible uses several other terms to refer to followers of Christ. Among them are \u201cdisciples\u201d (Acts 11:26), \u201cbelievers\u201d (Acts 5:14), \u201cbrethren\u201d (Acts 11:29), \u201csaints\u201d (Acts 9:13), and \u201cchildren of God\u201d (Rom. 8:16). The word \u201cChristian\u201d is found only three times in the New Testament (there are no Old Testament Christians).<\/p>\n\n\n\n We see the word \u201cChristian\u201d is misused by many in the world today. Good people are sometimes referred to as \u201cChristians\u201d without any regard to their religious beliefs or practices. Some use the word \u201cChristian\u201d in a broad sense to refer to those in western cultures who are not Jews or Muslims. There are times when the word is used to describe things that aren\u2019t even associated with the Bible. Such misuse waters down the significance of this word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. A Christian is a Disciple of Christ. <\/strong>The first time the word \u201cChristian\u201d appears in the Bible is in Acts 11:26. \u201cAnd when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.\u201d True disciples of Christ have distinct characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baptized Believer.<\/strong> Jesus commissioned His apostles to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19). If a Christian is a disciple, then a Christian is one who has been taught, believes, and has been baptized. There are no unbaptized Christians in the Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follows the Teachings of Christ.<\/strong> After the apostles made disciples, they were to teach them to observe all the things that Jesus had commanded (Matt. 28:20). Since a disciple is a follower, a Christian is one who follows the teachings of Christ. \u201cThen Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, \u2018If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed\u2019\u201d (John 8:31).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Member of the Lord\u2019s Church.<\/strong> A Christian is one who is saved, and the moment one is saved, he is added to the Lord\u2019s church. \u201cAnd the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved\u201d (Acts 2:47). There is no \u201cjoining the church of your choice.\u201d There is only one church in the Bible, and a Christian is added to that church the moment they are saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Worships God. <\/strong>A true Christian worships God the way God wants to be worshipped: \u201c\u2026those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth\u201d (John 4:23-24). In spirit<\/strong> (sincerely, from the heart) and in truth<\/strong> (according to the pattern set forth in the New Testament) not after their own desires or the customs and traditions of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contends for the Faith.<\/strong> A true Christian is not a pacifist. They are soldiers fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). As Jude admonished, \u201cBeloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints\u201d (v. 3). To \u201ccontend earnestly\u201d means to struggle about a thing as a combatant. The \u201cfaith\u201d is the truth of the gospel, the teachings that a disciple must follow. A true Christian is willing, ready, and able to defend the truth against error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. A Christian persuades others to become Christians.<\/strong> The second occurrence of the word \u201cChristian\u201d is in Acts 26:28. In this passage, Paul was giving a defense of his faith before King Agrippa. As he concluded his message, he asked Agrippa if he believed the prophets. \u201cThen Agrippa said to Paul, \u2018You almost persuade me to become a Christian.\u2019 And Paul said, \u2018I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains\u2019\u201d (vs. 28-29).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul did not have a live-and-let-live attitude towards others. He spoke plainly about his desire for everyone to become a Christian. Paul\u2019s prayer for Israel (a religious people) was that they be saved<\/strong> (Rom. 10:1). This means Paul believed they were lost. A true Christian does not see all religious people as being right with God. They know Jesus is the only Savior of the world (Acts 4:12).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. A Christian is willing to suffer for the cause of Christ.<\/strong> The final place the word \u201cChristian\u201d is found in the Bible is 1 Peter 4:16. \u201cYet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.\u201d Peter spoke of a great persecution that was coming on these Christians. They were not to think it strange or be ashamed of the fact that they were suffering. Instead, they were to rejoice because they were partaking with Christ\u2019s sufferings (vs. 12-16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n True followers of Christ will suffer for their faith (Matt. 5:10-12, 2 Tim. 3:12). Christians don\u2019t have to go looking for trouble. Their allegiance with Christ has made them enemies of this world (John 15:18-20). This helps us understand that the biblical use of the word \u201cChristian\u201d denotes a spiritual distinction, not a social or ethnic distinction. A Christian is one who follows Christ, and is willing to suffer, if need be, because of that choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n True Christians are going to bear the characteristics of the Christians we read of in the Bible. A Christian is a disciple of Christ, one who persuades others to become Christians, and one who is willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. It is unethical, and sometimes against the law, to knowingly claim to be something that one is not. Professing to be a Christian doesn\u2019t make you one. Are you a true Christian?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Via Articles<\/em> from the Knollwood church of Christ, February 2025 1) Hear\u00a0<\/strong>the gospel — for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30-31).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) Believe\u00a0<\/strong>in the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 8:24; John 3:18).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3) Repent\u00a0<\/strong>of sins.\u00a0 For every accountable person has sinned (Romans 3:23; Romans 3:10), which causes one to be spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) and separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 6:23). Therefore, repentance of sin is necessary (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).\u00a0 For whether the sin seems great or small, there will still be the same penalty for either (Matt. 12:36-37; 2 Cor. 5:10) — and even for a lie (Rev. 21:8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4) Confess faith<\/strong>\u00a0in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38).<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5) Be baptized\u00a0<\/strong>in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).\u00a0 This is the final step that puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).\u00a0 For from that baptism, one is then raised as a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17), having all sins forgiven and beginning a new life as a Christian (Rom. 6:3-4). For the one being baptized does so \u201cthrough faith in the working of God\u201d (Col. 2:12). In other words, believing that God will keep His word and forgive after one submits to these necessary steps. And now as a Christian, we then need to\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6) Continue in the faith <\/strong>by <\/strong>living for the Lord; for, if not, salvation can be lost (Matt. 24:13; Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).<\/p>\n\n\n\n ——————– <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tebeau Street <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NASB).——————– Contents: 1) Paul’s Voyage to Rome–What Others Saw in Him (Bryan Gibson)2) Characteristics of a True Christian (Heath Rogers) ——————– -1- […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3044","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","post-preview"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3044"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3044\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3047,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3044\/revisions\/3047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3044"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3044"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/acts11-26b-gw-1024x652.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCharacteristics of a True Christian<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
——————–<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA\u00a0 31501
Sunday:9 a.m<\/strong>. Bible Classes and 10 a.m. <\/strong>Worship Service
Wednesday (all but the first):7 p.m.<\/strong> Bible Classes\u00a0
First Wednesday of the month: 7 p.m. <\/strong>Congregational Song Service (about 45 minutes of singing, followed by a short talk)
evangelist\/editor: <\/strong>Tom Edwards (912) 281-9917
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com<\/a>
https:\/\/thomastedwards.com\/go\/all.htm<\/a> (This is a link to the older version of the Gospel Observer website, but with bulletins going back to March 4, 1990.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n