Julius

Julius was a Roman centurion assigned to transport the apostle Paul to Rome, with his young son Antoninus accompanying him. He regarded Paul's faith with suspicion and tried to keep Christian teaching away from his son. During a violent storm, however, Julius watched Paul remain calm, encourage starving passengers, and promise that everyone aboard would survive. After the ship broke apart near Malta, Julius prevented the guards from killing the prisoners and ensured that Paul reached Rome. He later struggled between loyalty to Emperor Nero and growing evidence of God's power. Disciplined and skeptical, Julius was also capable of mercy. His relationship with Paul and Antoninus steadily challenged his confidence in Rome's authority and his refusal to believe.