Churches of the New Testament: Rome I. Introduction A. Acts 23:11 B. Rome: the prize C. Capital of the Empire 1. All roads, shipping routes led there 2. Over a million people 3. Ruler of greatest empire then known to man D. Major political and commercial center 1. Every belief, idea, religion ended up there 2. Paul greatly desired to preach there 3. Citizens and rulers alike E. Let us consider Rome II. Geography and History A. Situated on the Italian peninsula 1. On the Tiber River, 15 miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea 2. South of Etruscan areas, north of Grecian colonies 3. Center of Mediterranean basin 4. 615 miles northwest of Corinth 5. 1,425 miles northwest of Jerusalem 6. Hills provided protection, central location led to prosperity B. In mythology, founded in 753 BCE 1. Romulus and Remus, twin brothers descended from Aeneas the Trojan of Iliad fame 2. History cannot verify such things 3. Archaeology does indicate that city was established in eighth century BCE C. Monarchy to Republic 1. Began as monarchy, including some Etruscan rulers 2. 509 BCE: Etruscan overlords overthrown, city established as a Republic 3. Governed by senators and consuls D. Burned by Gauls in 386 BCE E. Expansion 1. From 509 onward, city grows in power 2. Becomes sole power in Italian peninsula by 212 BCE 3. Third and second centuries BCE: conflict with Carthage, Phoenician colony, other western Mediterranean power 4. Three successive wars with Carthage in third and second centuries BCE leave Rome as sole western Mediterranean power 5. First centuries BCE and CE: consolidation of power in eastern Mediterranean 6. By time of Christ, Rome as overlord of most of Mediterranean basin F. Republic to Empire 1. First century BCE: internal dissension 2. Series of military leaders as dictators 3. 44 BCE: Augustus takes power; by 27 BCE, essentially an emperor 4. End of Roman Republic, beginning of Roman Empire 5. Would last in some form until middle fifth century CE G. Political and commercial capital of the Empire 1. Large population-- 1,000,000 + 2. Some part of it transitory 3. Everything eventually made it to Rome 4. So would the Gospel III. The Founding of the Church in Rome A. Founding of the church a mystery B. Church already present when Paul writes in 57 (Romans 1:8, 11-15) C. Some Romans at Pentecost in Jerusalem, 30 1. Acts 2:10 2. Both Jews and proselytes 3. Some likely converted (Acts 2:37-38, 41) 4. Likely returned to Rome sometime in 30s D. Evidence for Gospel in Rome in the 40s 1. Not from Bible, but from Roman author Suetonius 2. Writing about time of Claudius (41-54 CE) 3. Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from the city (The Twelve Caesars, 5.25) 4. Parallel to Acts 18:2 5. If Luke is indicating that the decree was recent, likely then 48-50 CE 6. Most believe Suetonius speaks of Christ; "Chrestus" his misunderstanding 7. Preaching of Gospel does lead to such instigation (Acts 8:1; 13:50; 14:2, 5, 19; 16:20-24; 17:5-9, 13; 18:12-18; 19:23-41) 8. Situation, then, entirely consistent with other evidence 9. Gospel, then, likely being promoted in Rome by late 40s CE IV. Paul Prepares His Way to Rome A. NT revelation about church in Rome begins with Paul's intention to go there 1. Paul spent many years preaching where no churches existed (Romans 15:20-21; 46-57 CE) 2. Then, in the Spirit, purposed to go to Rome after Macedonia, Achaia, and Jerusalem (Acts 19:21, 57 CE) 3. To prepare way, Paul wrote letter to church in Rome, likely from Corinth, ca. 57-58 CE (Romans 16:23; Romans 1:8-13, 15:22-24) B. Romans: Paul's great theological treatise 1. Much of what is written applicable to all Christians 2. Indication, however, of issues existing at Rome 3. Likely informed by associates like Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:3-5) 4. Claudius' decree likely not enforced or expired; Jews back in Rome 5. Romans 1-3: all men have sinned 6. Romans 3-5: Christ as redeemer, place of Law 7. Romans 6-8: Obedience to Christ leads to confidence in salvation 8. Romans 9-11 indicates God' s purpose of adding Gentiles to the fold 9. Romans 9: God's ability to choose Gentiles 10. Romans 10: God desires Israel's salvation if they repent 11. Romans 11: olive tree imagery: some broken off, others grafted in, all watch for themselves C. Paul then goes on to provide information on matters of faith D. Romans 12 and 13 1. Christians as living and holy sacrifices, not conforming to world (12:1-2) 2. Church as body-- no one to get puffed up, each has their role in the greater whole, each must use his gifts (12:3-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-28) 3. Abhor evil, cling to good (12:9) 4. Love one another, honor one another, take care of one another (12:10, 13) 5. Bless those who persecute them, be at peace with all men as able (12:14, 18) 6. Good is to conquer evil (12:9-21) 7. Government to be respected and honored, taxes to be paid, neighbors to be loved (Romans 13) E. Romans 14-15:7 1. Contentious issue: eating of food 2. Possibly food sacrificed to idols, most likely Jewish cleanliness laws (cf. "observing of days", Romans 14:5, Colossians 2:14-17) 3. Many good observations 4. Each side not to set each other at naught or condemn (14:3) 5. Resolve to not put stumbling-block in a brother's way (v. 13) 6. Liberty in "food and drink", not "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (v. 17) 7. Should not do anything by which a brother stumbles (v. 21) 8. Good to not be condemned in what is approved (v. 22) 9. Act in faith, what is not of faith is sin (v. 23) 10. Strong should bear with the weak, love the neighbor more than self, as did Christ (15:1-3) 11. Receive each other as Christ received us (15:4-7) F. Romans 15-16 1. Romans strong enough to admonish one another, full of goodness and knowledge (15:14) 2. Wants to impart spiritual gift, comfort each other in faith (1:11) 3. Wants to rest with brethren in Rome (15:32) 4. Brethren to mark those who teach error, stay away from them (16:16-17) 5. Not because Romans are disobedient, but that they not be deceived (16:18-19) G. Church in Rome, 57 1. Relatively strong 2. Full of goodness and knowledge 3. Some issues with Jewish-Gentile differences 4. Given Paul's warm reception 3 years later, likely resolved (Acts 28:15) V. Paul and Rome, 58-67 A. Paul to Rome 1. After writing letter, to Macedonia, around Asia Minor, to Caesarea (Acts 20:2-21:8) 2. Went to Jerusalem, met with brethren, compelled to go to Temple (Acts 21:9-26) 3. There accused of bringing Gentile into Temple, imprisoned by Romans (Acts 21:27-40) 4. Extradited to Caesarea, imprisoned two years of end of Felix's rule, beginning of Festus' rule (58-59, Acts 23:18-24:27) 5. Before Festus, appeals to Caesar, is granted appeal (Acts 25:1-12, 60 CE) 6. After difficult journey, arrives in Italy (Acts 27:1-28:12) 7. Syracuse to Rhegium to Puteoli; brethren in Puteoli (Acts 28:12-14) 8. Met by Roman brethren at Three Taverns, escorted to Rome (Acts 28:12-14) B. Activities in Rome 1. Left under house arrest for two years, able to be visited (60-62; Acts 28:16, 30) 2. Summons respected Jews to him, preaches Gospel (Acts 28:17-28) 3. Some believed, some did not; Paul went to Gentiles 4. Preaches two years in Rome without hindrance (Acts 28:30-31) C. Letters 1. While there, writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians 2. Philippians 4:22: some Christians in Caesar's house, greet Philippians D. Post-Imprisonment (63-?) 1. Not precisely known 2. Paul likely found innocent, let go (Acts 25:18-21, 26:32) 3. Traveled after that, at least to Macedonia and Crete, possibly Spain and other locations also (1 Timothy 1:3, Titus 1:5, Romans 15:24) E. 2 Timothy 1. Back in prison, in dire straits (2 Timothy 1:12, 4:16-18) 2. Probably in Rome, dies soon after 3. Tradition: beheaded in Rome by Nero (Eusebius, History of the Church 2.25.5) F. Neroian Persecution 1. Christians in Rome suffer persecution by Nero, ca. 64-68 CE 2. 64: Rome burned 3. Nero took advantage for himself, city 4. Blamed Christians for the fire (Tacitus, Annals 15.44) 5. Christians subjected to wild animals, burned alive (ibid) 6. No indication of persecution spreading beyond Rome, but Christians now known as distinct group 7. Based upon likely travels, Paul likely dies later than earlier (ca. 65-67) VI. Peter in Rome A. Peter after Jerusalem conference, Acts 15 1. In Antioch when Paul opposed him (Galatians 2:11-14; 53-54 CE?) 2. Likely in Corinth between 52-57 (1 Corinthians 1:12, 3:22) B. Roman evidence 1. 1 Peter 5:13 2. Some attribute "Babylon" to literal place in Iraq 3. Not likely - no evidence 4. Babylon as code for Rome (Revelation 18) 5. 2 Timothy 4:11-- Mark, who is with Peter in 1 Peter 5:13, brought to Rome with Timothy for Paul 6. 1 Peter, then, likely written in Rome to Asia Minor C. Peter the elder 1. 1 Peter 5:1-4: Peter as an elder 2. Thus, an elder in Rome, but not the only elder 3. No reason to believe in later Roman Catholic belief of "chair of Peter" in Rome D. Peter meets his end in Rome 1. Tradition says he was crucified in Rome under Nero (Eusebius, History of the Church 2.25.5) 2. After Paul-- likely 66-68 CE E. Although role not fully known, Peter as elder in Rome, meets end there VII. Rome After the Apostles, 70-115 A. No more NT revelation B. Some evidence from later writers C. 1 Clement, ca. 70 1. Letter from church in Rome to church in Corinth (1 Clement 1) 2. Church in Rome went through difficulties (ibid) 3. Church in Corinth inquired of church in Rome regarding some issues (ibid) 4. Response not as authoritarian church, but as brethren exhorting other brethren 5. Indicates that church in Rome suffering yet respected D. Ignatius, ca. 115 1. Sends letter to Rome, expecting to be martyred there 2. Does not want Roman Christians hindering his martyrdom (Ignatius, Letter to the Romans 2) 3. Does not mention bishop situation a. Rome would not hear of it? b. Rome already had it? c. Ignatius not concerned about them as much as himself? 4. Ignatius' request for Romans to pray for "church in Syria" since it is losing its shepherd in himself (9) indicates likelihood of latter two possibilities E. Second century difficult 1. Marcion, Gnostics, other false teachers present 2. Rome swept away in apostasy regarding hierarchy 3. We all know how that ended up VIII. Conclusion A. As Rome was "happening city", so church in Rome "happening" B. Founded in unknown circumstances C. By 50s and 60s, strong church 1. Full of goodness and knowledge 2. Some Jewish-Gentile differences provide doctrinal problem D. Suffered much persecution 1. Many die at hands of Nero 2. Peter and Paul included 3. Church perseveres E. We know the end of the Roman church and the apostasy, but first century church a strong example 1. Church did not need an apostle to start it there 2. Gospel can be spread right in the heart of a power contrary to God 3. God is over all F. Let us be strengthened by the example of the church in Rome G. Invitation/songbook