What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Paul was placed under house arrest immediately after arriving in Rome. There are interpreters who are convinced that Paul never got out of this imprisonment. I am convinced that he was released after about two years and later, a few years after that, was thrown into prison, where he was beheaded. Does Ellen White provide information on this?"
Answer
Ellen White explicitly confirms that Paul was released again after his first two‑year imprisonment in Rome. During his first interrogation Emperor Nero declared him innocent, after which his chains were removed and he again acted as a free man. Only later was he arrested again, thrown into a gloomy dungeon and finally sentenced to death by beheading.
Paul’s Release and Later Conviction
And God protected His servant. In the examination of Paul the charges against him were not upheld, and contrary to general expectation and with a regard for justice that was completely at odds with his character, Nero declared the prisoner to be blameless. Paul’s fetters were removed; he was again a free man.
Upon his arrival in Rome [for the second imprisonment] Paul was thrown into a gloomy dungeon to remain there until his life’s journey should end. Accused of having incited one of the most vile and terrible crimes against the city and the nation, he was the object of general abhorrence.
Not long after, Nero announced the verdict that condemned Paul to martyr’s death. Since a Roman citizen could not be subjected to torture, he was sentenced to be beheaded.
Although Paul was finally locked in a Roman prison—cut off from the light and air of heaven, separated from his active work on the gospel and waiting every moment to be sentenced to death—he did not succumb to doubt or despair.
In Rome the captain Julius handed over his prisoners to the commander of the imperial guard. The good report he gave about Paul, together with the letter from Festus, led to the apostle being viewed favorably by the senior captain, and instead of being thrown into prison, he was allowed to live in his own rented house.
- Paul Release Rome
- Martyrdom of Paul
- Paul before Nero
Original Sources (English)
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