St. Paul: An Appointment with Caesar

Antoninus places himself between the soldiers and the prisoners. Paul has promised that every person will reach shore, and Antoninus reasons that he cannot fulfill that promise if the prisoners escape. Julius finally orders his men to stand down and spares Paul’s life for his son’s sake. Everyone abandons the crumbling vessel, swimming through the storm or clinging to boards from the wreck.

Julius and Antoninus reach the island of Malta, where Batalius and his wife, Livia, offer food and shelter. At their home they discover the entire ship’s company gathered safely. Not one passenger, sailor, guard, or prisoner has died or fled. While Paul adds brushwood to the fire, a poisonous snake bites deeply into his hand. He calmly throws it into the flames and goes to sleep.

Livia expects Paul to swell and die during the night, believing justice has caught a dangerous prisoner who escaped the sea. In the morning, however, Paul is perfectly healthy. Batalius and Livia fall before him as a god, but Paul stops them. He is only a servant of the one true God and Jesus Christ, whose purpose for him cannot be stopped.

Publius, the governor of Malta, hears what has happened and invites the travelers to his estate. His father is suffering from fever and a severe stomach illness. Paul prays, lays his hands upon the sick man, and he is instantly healed. Other sick islanders come and are healed as well. Publius honors the visitors and cares for them throughout the winter.

Julius remains unmoved. He credits Luke’s medicine and good fortune rather than God, and he worries that Antoninus admires Paul more every day. Julius wants his son to see the might of Rome and Caesar, whom he regards as a god on earth. After three months, he arranges another ship. The travelers sail through Syracuse, Regium, and Puteoli before finally entering Rome.

Nero receives Julius and Antoninus at the palace. When Antoninus describes the shipwreck, the snakebite, and the healings on Malta, Nero boasts that he is more powerful than Paul’s God. Instead of granting Paul an audience, he confines him to a private house under guard until Caesar chooses to see him. Paul may receive visitors but cannot leave.

Two years pass. Paul preaches about Jesus, writes letters to distant churches, and waits faithfully. His popularity eventually fades, and some Jewish believers abandon him after rejecting his teaching that Jesus fulfills the law and offers salvation to Gentiles as well as Jews. Luke and Antoninus remain close. As Antoninus serves Paul and learns from him, he comes to believe that Jesus is the Son of God and makes Christ Lord of his life.

Julius advances to become a centurion of the palace guard. He sees Paul’s peace while Nero’s unchecked rule descends into vanity, waste, drunkenness, injustice, and cruelty. Then a fire rages through Rome for five days, killing thousands and destroying much of the city. When citizens suspect Nero and gather angrily at the palace, the emperor makes the Christians his scapegoats. He orders Julius to arrest them and bring Paul before him.

Antoninus races to warn Paul, but Julius arrives before they can flee. Antoninus draws his sword and vows that his father must kill him first. Paul orders him to put the weapon away and refuses to let hatred rule him. Julius then reveals that he no longer believes in Rome’s supposed glory. Nero’s power has produced only betrayal and injustice, while Paul’s faith has shown him a greater power. Julius offers Paul freedom and admits that he may one day be ready to know Paul’s God.

Paul refuses to run. Appearing before Caesar has always been his mission, and even the threat of death cannot make him abandon it. He comforts Antoninus with the promise that believers will meet again in Christ’s presence, then tells Julius, “Take me to Nero.”

The exact date is unknown, but Paul eventually bears witness before Nero and is executed for his faith, while the apostle Peter also dies as a martyr. Julius resigns from the Imperial Guard and joins Antoninus in rescuing Christians during Nero’s persecution. Antoninus patiently continues sharing his faith with his father. On the day Nero’s reign ends, Julius finally gives his life to Christ. Father and son spend their remaining years spreading the gospel, following the courageous example Paul has left them.