No One Can Forbid the Gospel of God�䏭 Kingdom

And landing at Syracuse (in Sicilia of Italy), the ship stayed three days before proceeding to Rhegium and then Puteoli. There Paul came down from the ship and stayed with the local Christians for seven days. Christians from Rome and other areas came as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns to meet Paul. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and was encouraged.

When Paul came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard. Paul did not commit any crime punishable by death, unlike most criminals. So he had special treatment and was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

After three days there Paul called together the leaders of the Jews to explain why he came to Rome. They said they didn�脌 know about it but would like to hear from him about the way of Christ for they had heard many things about Christ. They arranged a day to meet at Paul�䏭 lodging; and Paul explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God. And some were convinced by what Paul said, but others would not believe. So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed. Seeing how the Jews were so hard in heart and unwilling to accept the gospel, Paul said: The Holy Spirit spoke the truth through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, �𦒈o to this people and say: �菭earing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you will see, and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.�仮�� Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!

Then Paul dwelt in Rome two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him (Acts 28:12��31).