Acts 28.30-31: He lived there two years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (ESV)
These last two verses of the Book of Acts confirm that the word of Jesus to the Apostle Paul recorded in Acts 23.11 were true. Not that we would think otherwise. But in a great time of difficulty and uncertainty Jesus appeared to Paul and told him that he would testify about himself in Rome. And as the above verses indicate, Paul preached and taught about Jesus and the kingdom of God in a comfortable and peaceful environment, even though he was under house arrest.
But the journey to get to this point was exceedingly dangerous and full of distress. After Jesus had spoken the word to Paul, he had to endure trials before Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa.
After Paul’s extrication from the Jewish religious leaders, he was put on a prison ship to Rome. This was a horrible voyage encountering a storm at sea that produced a shipwreck. The soldiers were going to kill the prisoners, but the centurion of the ship would not allow it, because he wanted to save Paul’s life.
And having made it to the shore after the shipwreck on the Island of Malta, Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake that probably should have killed him, but he suffered no ill effects.
The word of Jesus to Paul was certain and confirmed, but it was an arduous process which tested Paul’s faith. He was made stronger by this whole set of events. And looking at the account of Paul’s behavior during this whole process court trials, ship wreck, and snake bite, Paul does not waver or even appear to have doubt or uncertainty as he relies on the word of Jesus to him.