CHAPTER 28

1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

When they all got to shore and met some people, they found that the island was named "Melita" (or Malta).

Note the word "barbarous people."
They spoke a language which was not recognized by the Greek-speaking crew and soldiers.
Thus, they were called "barbarous."

It was not because of their characteristics, but because that's what Greek-speaking people called ALL who did not speak their language.
((Kinda like a politician today! If you don't speak the same rhetoric as he/she; then you are sometimes called a barbarian!))

But these people showed great kindness!
They made a fire and received all of the crew, soldiers and prisoners!

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

How quickly people change their minds about other people!

The folk around the fire saw the snake bite Paul.
They believed that he was receiving the sentence of death.
They assumed he was a murderer, who having escaped the storm, was now receiving his "due reward!"

But Paul "shook off" the snake, and was NOT HARMED!!
They kept watching him, assuming soon, he would swell and die.

But it didn't happen!
So, they changed their mind and thought he was a "god!"

They didn't realize it was God Himself Who was saving Paul!!
God had plans for Paul, and NOTHING would keep Paul from completing the plan God gave him!!

Does God have plans for you?
Of COURSE He does!
Be secure in your heart that you will suffer, but not cease to live and complete the plans He has for you!!

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

Publius was the "chief" of the people.
He received the people from the ship, and saw to it they had lodging.
He was very "courteous" to all of them.

Then, Publius' father was ill.
Paul went to him, prayed, and Publius was healed!

This was part of God's plan.
Through healing Publius, others were brought.
They were also healed.

Now the people are not only "courteous," but also GRATEFUL!
And, they brought supplies for the shipwrecked people!

God knows how to use circumstances to bless both givers and receivers!

11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

Three months went by, and they found a ship.
The ship flew a flag which exhibited the sign of "Castor and Pollux."

Castor and Pollux were supposed to have been human sons of the god Jupiter and a human woman.
According to mythology, these two were twins.
When they died, they were made into the stars which are known as "Gemini."

According to the fable, Gemini was supposed to protect seamen.

First they landed at Syracuse and then went to Rhegium and Puteoli.
Syracuse was the capitol of Cicily.
Rhegium was a city in Italy.
And Puteoli was about 8 miles north of Naples.

Even in Italy, they found "brethren:" Christians!

The company stayed there "seven days," and then started toward Rome.

15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

"Appiiforum" was a city about 56 miles from Rome.
It was on the road from Capua to Rome, known as "the Appian Way."

The "Three Taverns" was a city about 45 miles from Rome.

At both of these places, Christians heard about Paul's journey, and came to meet him.
Their presence gave Paul reason to "thank(ed) God."
And their courtesy caused him to take "courage."

Paul did not know what he faced in Rome, but these people encouraged him.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

Finally, they arrived in Rome.

The "prisoners" were delivered to the "captain of the guard."
But, Paul was allowed to "dwell by himself with a solder that kept him."

Throughout the whole ordeal, Paul had conducted himself in an exemplary manner.
No doubt the Centurion who had brought him, gave an account of his behavior.
And, this led to "special privileges" for Paul.

No matter the circumstances, our "conversation" (or life style) should be "as it becometh the gospel of Christ:" (Philippians 1:27)
And we should be "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Tim 4:12)
This allows our faith to be a testimony with concrete evidence that we believe in truth!

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

Paul is still a Jew.
He is a CHRISTIAN Jew, but still a Jew.

So, he immediately sent for the leaders of Judaism.

He told them he had broken no laws to cause him to be captured and delivered to the Romans.
He was examined in court, and they found no wrong in him.
However, the Jewish people spoke "against" him being freed.
So, he was constrained to appeal to Caesar.

Take note that Paul says "for the hope of Israel" he is a prisoner.
To them, and to all who study the Old Testament correctly, "The Hope of Israel" is MESSIAH!

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

The Jews in Rome had "received" no letters concerning Paul!
Those in Jerusalem had not even bothered to write!

However, they HAD heard of "this sect" -- Christians.
And, they had heard (in Judaism) that "every where it is spoken against."

But they wanted to hear from Paul, what he thought.
So, they "appointed him a day."

When that day came, Paul used his extensive theological training to expound on the "kingdom of God."
And, he "persuaded" (reasoned with them) about Jesus being Messiah.
Paul used both the "law" and "the prophets" to expound on Jesus BEING that promised Messiah.

THIS, my friends was NOT a short sermon!
Paul expounded "from morning till evening!"

I can just imagine Paul quoting Scripture and interpreting it in terms of Messiah to come, Messiah has come, and Messiah is coming again!

As usual, "some believed," "and some believed not!"

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

Some believed, some did not.
And, they had disagreement among themselves.

So Paul had one final word.
He quoted Isaiah 6:9-10.

Then he told them, "if you won't hear and believe, 'the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they WILL hear it!'"

God DID send "the salvation of God," JESUS, to the Jews.
The majority would NOT believe, and crucified the Savior.
(That was in God's plan to have the perfect sacrifice for sins.)

But, my friends, even today - if one hears the TRUTH of the Gospel and refuses to believe, then they ALSO "crucify" the Savior to themselves!
Heb 10:26-29 says, "26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

The Jewish leaders left, still arguing among themselves.

Paul stayed two more years there in that same place - "his own hired house."
He receive all who came to him, and preached Jesus!
He was allowed to do so with no fear, and all Godly confidence!

During this time, Paul was able to keep in contact with the churches through letters.
Also, he was able to preach the Gospel fully, and even caused the capitol of the Roman Empire to know about Jesus!

Probably, Paul was beheaded after those two years.

And, this ends Luke's testimony of the beginning growth of the Christian church.

Perhaps we should describe the church in the words Paul used to describe himself, and by which he lived:
Gal 2:20,
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:
and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Christian, can you say that this describes YOUR life?

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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