This film's greatest strength is that it vividly depicts the harsh persecution of early Christians in the Roman Empire. To be honest, it's hardly the most relaxing or upbeat film you'll ever see. One critic describes it as "gritty," which is an accurate description. It's easy for 21st-century believers to imagine a wonderful sanctuary with modern décor, spectacular lights, great music, and an uplifting message geared to promote our self-esteem and help us to be more successful and victorious in life when they think of communing with Christ. We are not accustomed to thinking of inexplicable anguish in the Mamertine prison, a dungeon in Rome.
That's where Paul spent his final days before being put to death by Nero, the mad emperor. This was the focal point of the film, and it was from this hole that Paul wrote the following to his protégé (2 Tim 4:6-8 NLT):
Paul's path would be no less difficult. After his Damascus Road experience, Jesus commissions Ananias to minister to Paul (Saul of Tarsus), telling him that Paul "is a chosen vessel of mine to speak my name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel." For I will demonstrate to him how much he must endure for the sake of my name" (Acts 9:15-16). Paul's path would be no less difficult. After his Damascus Road experience, Jesus commissions Ananias to minister to Paul (Saul of Tarsus), telling him that Paul "is a chosen vessel of mine to speak my name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel."
"I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, stating that chains and sufferings await me," Paul told the Ephesians elders. But none of these things affect me; nor do I value my life so highly that I may finish my course joyfully, and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of God's favor" (Acts 20:22-24). Faith and obedience, for Paul, did not result in ease or earthly success, but in the advancement of the Gospel.
