Acts 28:11-31 | It's Just the BeginningSample

Friends in Strange Places

“And so we came to Rome” (Acts 28:14, NIV).

It’s fascinating what Luke chooses to record leading up to that moment and when Paul arrives.

At the last stop before Rome, in Puteoli, “We found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them” (Acts 28:14, NIV). At Rome, “the brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us” (Acts 28:15, NIV). Later, we read that, despite being in custody, “Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him” (Acts 28:30, NIV).

We’ve seen it before in Acts. We see it here at the end—hospitality—deeply embedded in the Old Testament mindset and radically practiced by the New Testament believers who devoted themselves to the fellowship and gave of themselves to help others (see Acts 2:42). The believers practiced a mutual care for one another, especially in time of need.

Christ saved Paul for this time and place. But that doesn’t mean the journey was pleasant. Often, it comes down to the acts of kindness and concern we show others (and others show us) that makes all the difference on the way.

Ecclesiastes says—

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecc 4:10-12, NIV).

Paul was no stranger to this on the journey. Neither were the other believers in Acts. God calls us to look out for each other. Shared life together brings encouragement, and is meant to be a joy. Make it your practice, and allow others to practice it with you today. As the old saying goes, when in Rome… care for one another.