Paul was in Corinth. There he me Aquila and Priscilla. They were Jewish believers living in Rome. Caesar had ordered all Jews out of Rome. Paul find out from them how the church in Rome was doing. Paul wrote to the Roman Church to tell them he was coming. Just in case he didn’t get there, he wrote as complete an explanation of the gospel as he could. Jewish believers were trying to turn the Christians into Jewish believers. Paul explained that both Jew and Christian are the same through Jesus Christ. But we are all justified through faith. God gave the law to convict us of sin, to understand that we need Jesus to get to God. Paul explained what would happen to the godless. And it would be their fault. Paul compared Leviticus to write Romans. It is the law verses grace. It is because grace comes by Jesus Christ. (Romans 1).

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Psalms 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. By this time, Paul was martyred. Peter was in Rome, John in Ephesus. Most of the 12 Apostles have been martyred. There is a cost for preaching the word of God. To preach effectively, you must surrender your life to God. Even if it cost you your life. If you give your life to God, which everyone does at salvation, your life isn’t your own. You were bought with a price, Jesus. The apostles went about doing what God wanted them to do. The Timeline until the end of the 1st Century:

Epistle: 1 Peter – 66AD. written by Peter after Paul killed. Peter was in Rome with John Mark (1Pet.5:13; 2 Tim.4:11). Because of Paul’s death and Nero’s persecution, Peter wrote to the churches about fiery trials that come upon you and growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus. Peter sent the letter by Silas.

Epistle: 2 Peter – 67AD. written by Peter just before his death. He wrote a 2nd letter. This was addressed to the same people. Nero’s persecution was stronger than ever. Here Peter writes about making sure of our salvation, election and calling, the coming apostasy and the Lord’s coming. Peter was martyred not long after he wrote the epistle.

Epistle: Jude – 67 AD. Jude was the brother of Jesus. He wrote a warning to the Churches of Asia Minor. They should earnestly content for the faith and to complete the work the Father has given us to do.

Gospel: John – 90 AD. written by John at Ephesus.

Epistles: 1, 2, 3 John – 90 AD. written by John at Ephesus. John was living in Ephesus. There was a heresy growing, that said if your spirit is saved, you could live any way you wanted to. John wrote to the Churches, if we have fellowship with God, our lives will line up to the Word of God, to continue in the truth, not being deceived and truth and love will overcome pride and strife.

Epistle: Revelation – 96 AD. written by John at Ephesus after released from Patmos. He wrote this letter to the Churches in Asia Minor. He wrote of his vision of the Glorified Jesus, Christ’s message to the 7 Churches, about the Great Tribulation and the Eternal State of the Saints.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Paul was imprisoned in Rome for more than 2 years. Since he went to Jerusalem, it was about 5 years. Caesar did hear Paul preach the gospel. Paul was released after about 2 years. Only to be arrested again and this time martyred. During that 2 years of imprisonment, Paul wrote his letters, epistles to the churches. They are known as the Prison Epistles. With God’s plan, you are called to a specific place and time. God wants something in your life to occur, which in turn effects those around you. And if you are not there, those people around you will not be affected. Whether it’s to pray for healing, deliverance or salvation. God uses us to bring about His plan. God can use somebody else, but it takes time. Think about how long it took God to get you to do something.

Epistle: Prison Epistles:

Ephesians - Paul wrote to the Ephesians about being in Christ Jesus. Who you are in Christ and then what to do because you are in Christ. We as believers are one in Christ.

Philippians - Paul wrote to the Philippians to express his love and appreciation of their support of his ministry. The Philippian church was an example of what a church is suppose to be.

Colossians - Epaphras of the Colossea church came to Paul and told him of a heresy spreading in his church. Paul wrote them about the deity and Lordship of Jesus. The best way to meet error or heresy is to emphasize the truth. Controversy wins few converts.

Philemon - Paul wrote to his friend and brother in the Lord, Philemon, to accept back his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus ran away to Rome. Paul found him there. Onesimus received Jesus and became a faithful worker with Paul. Paul sent Onesimus back  to Philemon as a brother in the Lord. Just as Jesus reconciles us back to God.

2 Timothy - Pastoral Letter. Nero began persecuting the Church. Paul was arrested and condemned to death. He wrote Timothy the last letter to instruct ministers on how to stand, a challenge to endure and to be faithful in the face of trials; to be instant in season and out. 

Crain Blanchard.
www.joseph1637.com

Time: 60-61AD. Paul’s journey to Rome, winter 60AD.

Epistle: Titus – Paul on his way to Rome, leaves Titus in Crete, writes to Him. He wrote to Titus about appointing elders, bishops, and pastors, to teach sound doctrine, and maintain good works. Titus became the bishop of Crete and died there of old age.

Time:61-63AD. Paul in Rome for 2 years.

Epistle: Hebrews – written from Rome, Pauline Epistle. Written to believers in Jerusalem who were about to be driven out by the Roman army. It was to reassure them that their faith was in Jesus Christ, not in the temple or the sacrifices. It is about the Person of Jesus Christ, the work of Calvary and the elements of the Faith Life.

Epistle: 1 Timothy – Pastoral Letter. Paul sent Timothy to pastor the Church at Ephesus. The Church was made up of hundreds of Home Churches. During the 1st Century, Ephesus was the center of Christianity. There were hundreds of pastors and leaders. Paul wrote this letter for Timothy to instruct all of these pastors.

Gospel: Mark – 62 AD. – written by John Mark in Rome with Paul in prison.

Paul wasn’t the only apostle, he did evangelize the Romans empire and write many books of the bible. Peter came to Rome to see about Paul. John Mark traveled with him and stayed in Rome with Paul. James the elder was killed in Jerusalem by Herod. His brother John was the bishop of Jerusalem. Doubting Thomas went to India. Philip went to Asia Minor. Matthew went to Africa. James the lesser became bishop of Jerusalem after John went to Ephesus. Judas Thaddeus went to Armenia. Each man was called of God and went where God planned. All the apostles were martyred except John, the son of Zebedee. Each person was called and equipped by God to work in the kingdom of Heaven. So, what are you called to do for God?

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Time: 58-60AD. Paul in Caesarea, summer 58 to fall 60AD.

Gospel: Luke – 60AD. written by Luke with Paul in Caesarea.

Gospel: Matthew – 60 AD. written by Matthew in Persia.

Epistle: James – 60AD. James, brother of Jesus, Pastor of Judean church, writes to believing Jews scattered abroad. He wrote about the proofs of faith, faith justifies the man and works justify the faith. It is about trials, tribulation, faith, works, the tongue and godliness in all things. James was killed shortly before the Romans took Jerusalem.

Ch.27:1-44;28:1-15 Paul’s journey to Rome, shipwrecked.
Ch.28:16-31 Paul in Rome.

Time: 60-61AD. Paul’s journey to Rome, winter 60AD.

Epistle: Titus – Paul on his way to Rome, leaves Titus in Crete, writes to Him. He wrote to Titus about appointing elders, bishops, and pastors, to teach sound doctrine, and maintain good works. Titus became the bishop of Crete and died there of old age. Paul made his way to Rome. Where he was housed by himself with a soldier. Believers, when they found out that Paul was in Rome, came to him. Paul preached the kingdom to everyone, including Caesar himself.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Paul and his companions boarded the ship with a Roman Centurion, soldiers and the rest of the prisoners. There were 296 people on the small sailing ship. They sent out in the middle of winter in the Mediterranean sea. At first, the weather was accommodating. Then the winds blow contrary. They sailed close to land as possible. Paul spoke to the captain and centurion that they should winter in Crete. He said there is a real possibility of losing the ship and lives. Both the captain and centurion disagreed. They sailed on. Then arose a storm. The bible calls it a tempest called Euroclydon. The storm lasted 14 days. They couldn’t sail but let the ship be driven by the wind. They came close to land and the crew wanted to jump ship. Paul told the Centurion. He stopped them. Paul told them that they must all stay together if they are to survive. They headed to shore and ran aground on Malta. There they wintered. Even if you are doing the will of God, it doesn’t mean that you will not go through trials. Paul knew where he was going and it did bother him how he got there. God was in control and would take care of him. (Acts 27).

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Paul was still in Caesarea. King Agrippa had come there for a meet and greet. Festus had asked Agrippa to hear this Paul, because he had no accusations against him. He couldn’t send Paul to Caesar without them. Festus, Agrippa and the whole entourage came to listen to Paul. He began to speak and tell his story from the beginning. As Paul talked about Jesus, His death and resurrection, Festus jumped up as said, Paul you are mad and beside yourself. When Jesus is preached, people react differently. You never know what they will do. Because when God touches your heart, it will shakes you to your core. King Agrippa said, Paul you almost persuade me to be a Christian. Afterward, Festus and Agrippa talked. They both said Paul has done nothing worthy of death. He would be free except he appealed to Caesar. Paul knew he would stay in captivity if he appealed to Caesar. The plan of God in your life is more important than what you think or say. We sing that old song, I surrender all. Would to God that everyone would.

Crain Blanchard.

Www.joseph1637.com

Luke has been traveling with Paul for several years. Luke wrote the Acts of the Apostles. He has been at Paul’s side all the time. Paul has been held at Caesarea since he was captured in Jerusalem. No one has been able to prove that he did anything but teach the word of God. The Jewish religious leaders hate Paul because he is a follower of Jesus and was one of them before. A new governor comes to the land of Israel. Festus went to Jerusalem and the chief priest immediately went to Festus and told him of Paul. They wanted him to send Paul to Jerusalem, so they could kill him. Festus said they had to come to Caesarea to face Paul and talk to him about it. As soon as Festus returned, the religious leaders were before him. After everybody spoke, Festus asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem. Paul appealed to Caesar. Festus said, to Caesar you will go. Paul had done nothing wrong, but God had a plan for him. He was going to preach the gospel before kings. Paul stayed in captivity at Caesarea for about 2 years. God’s plan will lead you from here to there to accomplish what God wants. If you are willing the kingdom of heaven will unfold before you. And God will be glorified.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Paul was taken to Caesarea by the Romans. The Jewish leaders want to kill Paul. Felix waited until the religious leaders came to him. Felix was married to Drucilla, a Jewess. She had told him about the followers of the Way, Jesus. So he understood some what. They all gathered in the judgement hall. Felix let the religious leaders speak first. They accused Paul of everything they could. When Paul spoke, he explained that he wasn’t guilty of anything, except that he believed in the resurrection of the dead. Felix said he would wait for the Captain of the Garrison to come and tell his side. Paul remained a captive, but was free to have any visitors. During this time, Felix and his wife had Paul to come and talk to them about Jesus. Paul was there by the plan of God. The plan was working exactly like God wanted. Paul was going to preach the gospel to kings and rulers. Sometimes we are in the oddest plan to preach the gospel. If we forget about ourselves and let God lead us wherever, the gospel will be preach to the uttermost parts of the world. Acts 24.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com

Paul went to Jerusalem. He was taken captive. The Romans stopped the riot that was caused when Paul was in temple. The Romans took Paul into fortress because the Jews wanted to kill Paul. About 40 men brought a plan to the religious leaders, saying they wouldn’t eat or drink until the killed Paul. They wanted the religious leaders to have the Romans bring Paul to the Council. Paul’s nephew found out about it and told the Romans. The chief captain of the Romans had about 500 men take Paul to the governor Felix at Caesarea. He wrote to the governor and told him about Paul being a roman. Paul didn’t know that it would be this entailed. But he was going to follow the plan no matter what. When things blow up in our lives, what do we do? Are we willing to follow the plan of God or do we have to do it? Paul knew that there was a real possibility that he could be killed. But he choose God’s plan. Acts 23.

Crain Blanchard.

http://www.joseph1637.com