Yesterday, we saw that Paul was taken into Roman military custody in Jerusalem.

And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. (Acts 21.31 – 33, ESV)

From this point on, for the rest of the book of Acts, Paul is in Roman military custody (Acts 21.33 – 28.30).

My friend Gary Sanders calls this Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey. If you’re taking a test that includes the question, “How many missionary journeys did Paul take in Acts?,” the school answer is three. But Gary makes a compelling case that beginning in Acts 21 we have Paul’s fourth journey: the one to the Roman military.

Gary argues that by sending Paul to the military, God was putting the Gospel into the hands of people who:

• Were mobile
• Had initiative and were highly disciplined
• Knew how to lead
• Had access to the highest levels of government

If you want to explore this further, you can read Gary’s scholarly, yet accessible, essay here.

Gary Sanders’ challenge is that if churches are near military bases, they should consider outreach to the military a strategic part of their mission. Train them – not so they can stay and serve your church, but so they can take your training and serve elsewhere.

Of course, the same rationale applies to anyone in your church who might be moving. I was serving at a church in Alabama, and one of the men I ministered to retired from the Air Force and was moving to Houston, Texas. I said, “Bless you, my brother. I’m so glad you’re going to Houston.” He replied, “Well, you’re the only one in the church to say that. Everyone else wants us to stay.” I said, “Look. I’ve been to Houston, and I really, really don’t want to live there. I’d much rather send you to teach the people in Houston what you’ve learned here.” Train them; send them.

After tomorrow’s Ash Wednesday post, we’ll see how God used a Roman military officer and a family member to protect Paul from two additional riots and a plot to kill him. Exciting times!

And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. (Acts 28.16, ESV)

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. (Philippians 1.12, 13, ESV)