Caesar’s Household
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to the pulling down of strong holds.” Trophies of the cross were won,
even in Nero’s household. From the vile attendants of a viler king were
gained converts who became sons of God. These were not Christians
secretly, but openly. They were not ashamed of their faith. They felt
the warmest affection for those who were older in Christian faith and
experience, and they were not afraid or ashamed to acknowledge them
as brethren.
And by what means was an entrance achieved and a firm footing
gained for Christianity where even its admission seemed impossible?
In former years the apostle had publicly proclaimed the faith of Christ
with winning power; and by signs and miracles he had given unmis-
takable evidence of its divine character. With noble firmness he rose
up before the sages of Greece, and by his knowledge and eloquence
put to silence the arguments of proud philosophy. With undaunted
courage he had stood before kings and governors, and reasoned of
righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, until the haughty
rulers trembled as though already beholding the terrors of the day of
God.
But no such opportunities were now granted the apostle, confined
as he was to his own dwelling, and able to proclaim the truth only
to those who sought him there. He had not, like Moses and Aaron,
a divine command to go before the profligate king with the rod of
God, and demand his attention, and in the name of the great I AM
rebuke his cruelty and oppression. Yet it was at this very time, when
its chief advocate was apparently cut off from public labor, that this
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great victory was won for the truth, and members were gained to the
church from the very household of the king.
In his Epistle to the Philippians, Paul ascribes to his own im-
prisonment his success in bringing converts to the faith from Nero’s
household. He expresses himself as fearful lest the Philippians have
thought that his afflictions have impeded the progress of the gospel.
He assures them that the contrary effect has been produced: “I would
ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto
me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my
bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places.”
It was not by the sermons of Paul, but by his bonds, that the
attention of the court had been attracted to Christianity. It was as a
captive that he had conquered rulers. It was with his chain that he had