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ACTS 28

 

  • Acts 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 
  • 2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 

Sometimes heathens were kinder to God's people than the religious crowd was. Here we see I believe another act of God's kindness in preparing these people to receive Paul and his company. 

  • Acts 28:3 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. 

Here we see the age old misconception that all bad that happens is because of someone's sin. Sin caused the original disease to come upon all flesh but because it is in the genes, the environment and all around us, innocent people get sick as well, including babies. We live in a fallen world. It is just here for now as a result of the fall of Adam until Christ completely removes the curse at a future time of His return. The curse of sin causing a soul to be lost is already broken when we believe in Jesus Christ and the death of these temporary bodies will still occur until His return but the fear of death is gone for those that trust in the Lord for their salvation.

I believe this instance shows us the true meaning of Mark 16:18. Paul being in the will of God and full of the spirit was able by the power of God to shake off the viper and not be harmed. I do not believe the "they shall take up serpents" means that we are to put on a sideshow and purposely get poisonous snakes to show off any power. 

God's gifts are always given to confirm the truth of the gospel being preached by signs and wonders which follow those that believe. Christ gets all glory and all is done to bring people to Christ. It is never to exalt the messenger for we have nothing that someone else who seeks God cannot receive. 

  • Acts 28:6 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. 
  • 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 honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. 

This is the result of being in a place where God can use us through the power of the Holy Spirit. It takes faith, prayer and sometimes fasting to be in position to be subject to the will of God's spirit. This is not done in the flesh and by our own power or importance. It is a probability that the people on this island would not have believed the gospel if they didn't see signs such as these. This is probably why we hear of more miracles following believers who go among the heathen to preach rather than the more civilized countries. Where people are the most needy and the weakest, more of the power of God is needed and depended on. When we get high and mighty, educated and sophisticated, we start relying on ourselves rather than God. 

  • Acts 28:11 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. 

Looks like by this time that Paul was granted much freedom to visit his brethren in the Lord and stay with them for a season. Paul probably could have escaped at any time and the centurion might have allowed him to do so but knowing Paul, that wasn't the way he worked. By allowing himself to be taken to Rome, he not only would preserve the lives of the soldiers but also he would be given an opportunity to preach before kings. 

  • Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 
  • 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. 
  • 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 aught 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. 
  • 21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed 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. 

The officials in Jerusalem failed to send any legal papers so he could have been released legally but they too desired to hear what Paul had to say. 

There are different kind of hearers. Some are stubborn and refuse to hear. Some want to hear in order to accuse them of wrongdoing. Some want to hear because of curiosity. Some want to hear because they like to gain knowledge that they can show themselves to be learned on a particular matter and then some want to hear in order to receive the truth. 

  • Acts 28:23 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. 

The gospel can be preached just using the Old Testament. 

  • Acts 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. 

Nothing has changed. Today, some believe and some do not believe. 

  • Acts 28:25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaiah 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. 

That the majority of the Jews would not believe as a nation was prophesied back in Isaiah. That is why the nation ceased to exist for a little over 2000 years. In these last days Israel is a nation once again. The time of the Gentiles is drawing to a close and the gospel will return to the Jews. The Gentiles in many places are returning back to their pagan roots and rejecting the gospel. We as individuals can choose to believe or reject Jesus Christ. We do not have to follow the crowds and do what is popular. The way of the majority is usually wrong. 

  • Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 
  • 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 

Choosing what is politically correct, what society deems as good, following the majority or the crowds is usually the total opposite from God's standards and God's word.

  • Acts 28:29 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. 

We see now that the word that the Lord spoke to Paul is coming to pass and he is teaching the Gentiles the word of God. 

God allowed Paul to have seasons where no one hindered him from preaching the gospel. We see by reading the book of Acts that there was much persecution for their teachings but there were times of rest from persecution so that they would not be overwhelmed by opposition and the gospel could spread. 

 

 
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