The three men we are about to meet in Paul’s third, fourth, and fifth trials are the middle men. They stand between Jerusalem and Rome, in Caesarea.  

Deja vu was not kind to the Apostle Paul. Earlier in his life, he had been part of a Jerusalem mob who put a person on trial, named Stephen, simply for being a Christian and preaching the gospel, then summarily executed him.

The Lord Jesus Christ endured five trials after His arrest. He appeared before Annas, then Caiaphas, then the Sanhedrin (Council), then Herod Antipas, then Governor Pontius Pilate.

Paul “went up to Jerusalem,” even though prophetic warnings assured him nothing but trouble awaited. He went to do good, and a lot of good he did. Just what good did Paul do?

For the remainder of the book of Acts, we are going on an extraordinary sea and land cruise that will take Paul and his companions from their missionary exploits in Europe and Asia back to the mother church in Jerusalem, then all the way westward to Rome.

These were the good old days for the Apostle Paul. He had completed his second major pastorate. He was finished with his third and final formal missionary journey.

For the second time, Paul stays in one place for a long time, twice as long as the first time. He served in Corinth for a year and a half, then in Ephesus for three years. The only other lengthy stays he experienced during his ministry were in prison.  

While most of what happens in church is not reflected in this chapter, the role of the pastor is put on display. And in a clear case of what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, what is required and expected of the pastor is largely the same for every member. So what does God expect of your pastor, and you?

Let’s look at how Paul carried the cross and built bridges. They were built almost singularly with one tool. It is a key attribute of God and God’s greatest commandment, love.