The Birth of the Christian ChurchSample

For every Roman citizen, including Paul, the city of Rome was the center of the world. Rome was the greatest world power ever, and her rule changed the world. The armies, the roads, the architecture, and the arts had changed world culture. The “Pax Romana” or Roman peace was designed to enable all peoples to live together under one authority.

From the time he was a young boy, Paul would have dreamed of seeing the city of Rome. In addition to the cultural draws, there would also have been his spiritual calling. Acts 2 records that there were men from Rome in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. It is quite possible they returned to Rome with news about the resurrection of Jesus and the coming of his Holy Spirit. Twenty–five years after Pentecost, Paul wrote his “Christian manifesto” and sent it to them. The book of Romans was probably written at the end of Paul’s third missionary journey before he returned to Jerusalem and was captured. Paul had longed to see Rome, was called to see Rome, and now was on his way to that city.

They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. (Malachi 3:17)