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#59.
The Dispensational Landmark (28: 23 - 31).
The Testimony of the Lord's Prisoner (28: 30, 31).
pp. 134 - 139
"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 forbidding him" (Acts 28: 30, 31).
With these words the narrative of the Acts ends. "The hired house" is in
correspondence with "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 (II 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gifts seem to have ceased, the gift of healing appears to have been withdrawn, and yet, no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.
Beta.--There are strange rumours traveling round the churches. Some say that Paul at
Rome has announced a dispensational crisis, and that Israel as a people have been set
aside, and their hope suspended.