It may not have particular significance, or it may be typical, that the next verse tells us that he entered into a

house which was `hard to (by) the synagogue' and that Crispus the chief ruler of the synagogue believed on the

Lord, and from 1 Corinthians 1:1, we gather his successor, Sosthenes (18:17) also. But the objector may say that

Paul's words in 18:6 are final, `from henceforth'. Yet we have only to read on to verse 19 to find him once again in

the synagogue and reasoning with the Jews.

After his visit to Jerusalem we once more find the apostle speaking boldly in the synagogue, occupying the space

of three months in this public ministry (Acts 19:8). Again his testimony was followed by opposition, and for two

years he conducted his ministry among the disciples in the school of one Tyrannus (verse 9), where both Jews and

Greeks heard the word of the Lord Jesus.

Still the opposition of the Jews persisted, for it is found again in Acts 20:3; and, in verse 22, the apostle's

testimony as a free man draws to an end. His own summary of it says nothing of any turning from the Jews to the

Gentiles, but, on the contrary, his own words are, `Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks'.

No valid opposition can be discovered in the record of the Acts to the position we have reached, namely, that at

Acts 28:28 a door was opened to the Gentiles that had never been opened before and that there the dispensation of

the mystery was given to the imprisoned apostle; there the high glories of heavenly places were, for the first time,

revealed. Acts 28:28 is the dispensational landmark.

`And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the

kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man

forbidding him' (Acts 28:30,31).

With these words the narrative of the Acts ends. `The hired house' is in correspondence with `the lodging' of

verse 23, but the words used differ, xenia, from xenos, a stranger or foreigner, and indicating `a lodging' being used

in verse 23, but misthoma, `a hired house' derived from misthos, `hire' or `reward', being used in verse 30.

Not accused of any definite transgression against Roman law, Paul was permitted to hire a house, but he was

never without the Roman soldier to whom he was chained wrist to wrist. While, as was the case in his second

imprisonment (2 Tim. 2:9), he was not treated as a `malefactor', his words, `remember my bonds' (Col. 4:18),

reveal how keenly were felt the conditions under which these `two whole years' were passed. Nevertheless the

apostle was free to receive all that came to him and fulfilled his obligation `to enlighten all as to what is the

dispensation of the mystery'.

In order to appreciate the ministry of this hired house, let us travel back in thought to the days of the apostle and

wend our way to the house of a believer in one of the towns or cities - say Ephesus - and there assemble with the

church. Upon entering the little assembly we are conscious of a strange atmosphere. Gloom, or perhaps perplexity,

takes the place of joy and certainty. Where, before, `one had a psalm, another a doctrine, another a tongue, a

revelation, or an interpretation', now there is silence. Miraculous gifts seem to have ceased, the gift of healing

appears to have been withdrawn, and yet, no new-found grace or privilege appears to have taken their place.

Turning to one of the brethren, we ask what might be the cause of this brooding silence, and the following is

intended to give a fairly accurate idea of the resultant conversation and happy sequel.

Alpha.- No, we have no uncertainty regarding our salvation, brother; we are still in the blessed state of

justification by faith. No condemnation and no separation is ours, thank God, by indefeasible grace, but what

troubles us is that a change has come over our assembly. With as bright a faith as yesterday, brethren now find

themselves unable to produce the `signs following'. Where even a `handkerchief' sent from the apostle would at

one time effect a cure, we are bewildered to discover that some have even been advised `to take a little wine' to help

alleviate bodily weakness.