Acts 28
Paul Shipwrecked on Malta This section describes what happened to Paul and the others after their shipwreck. They landed on the island of Malta (Melita), where the local people treated them with unusual kindness. God used the situation to provide for Paul and to open doors for ministry, even in unexpected places. The narrative focuses on how Paul’s presence was a blessing to the islanders, and how God continued to protect and use him. v. 1–2: After escaping the shipwreck, Paul and the rest of the passengers learned they were on the island of Malta. The local people, called “barbarians” because of their language and customs (not because they were uncivilized), showed them remarkable kindness. They welcomed everyone from the shipwreck, made a fire, and helped them warm up, since it was cold and raining. – v. 3–6: As Paul gathered sticks for the fire, a poisonous snake bit his hand. The islanders thought this meant Paul must be a murderer whom justice would not allow to live, even though he had survived the sea. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and was unharmed. The people watched, expecting him to swell up or die, but when nothing happened, they changed their minds and thought he was a god. This event showed God’s power to protect Paul and was a testimony to the people of Malta (Mark 16:18 a). – – – v. 7–9: The leading man of the island, Publius, welcomed Paul and his companions into his home and entertained them for three days. Publius’s father was sick with fever and dysentery. Paul prayed, laid hands on him, and healed him. When others on the island who were sick heard about this, they also came and were healed. Through these miracles, God confirmed the truth of the gospel and Paul’s message. – – v. 10: The people of Malta honored Paul and his companions and gave them everything they needed for their journey when they left. Their kindness was a response to the help and healing they had received. God provided for Paul and those with him, and the islanders showed their gratitude in practical ways. Paul at RomeAfter many dangers at sea, Paul finally continued his journey toward Rome. The beginning of the trip had been rough and full of storms, but now the rest of the voyage was calm and safe. This passage describes how Paul left Malta, traveled through several cities, and finally arrived in Rome. Along the way, he met Christian believers, received encouragement, and experienced God’s care, even while he was still a prisoner.v. 11: After staying three months on the island of Malta, Paul and the others left on another ship from Alexandria. This ship had spent the winter safely at Malta. Its figurehead was called Castor and Pollux, named after pagan gods who were believed to protect sailors. This detail shows the difference between human superstition and the true protection Paul received from God. v. 12–13: They sailed first to Syracuse in Sicily, where they stayed for three days. Then they traveled to Rhegium, a city in Italy, and stayed there for one day. Some ancient stories say Paul performed miracles here, but the Bible simply says they anchored there briefly. Next, the ship sailed to Puteoli, a port near Naples, where Paul and the other prisoners disembarked to continue their journey by land. – v. 14: In Puteoli, Paul found some Christian believers. It is not known how the gospel first came to this city, but God often spreads his message in unexpected places. The believers asked Paul and his companions to stay with them for seven days. Paul agreed, likely so he could worship with them on the Lord’s Day and encourage them. The centurion allowed this, showing kindness to Paul once again. v. 15: News reached the Christians in Rome that Paul was coming. Some of them traveled long distances to meet him—some as far as Appii Forum (about 51 miles from Rome) and others to the Three Taverns (about 28–33 miles away). They were not ashamed of Paul, even though he was a prisoner. When Paul saw these believers, he thanked God and took courage. Their support lifted his spirits and gave him new strength. Meeting fellow believers in a strange place is a great encouragement for anyone following Jesus (Romans 1:8 b). v. 16: When Paul arrived in Rome, he was handed over to the captain of the guard. Paul was still a prisoner, but he was allowed to live by himself with only one soldier to guard him. This was a special kindness from God, who can move even non-believers to show favor to his people (Psalm 106:46; Genesis 39:21 c). Paul could have visitors and spend time with friends, even while waiting for his trial. Paul at RomePaul arrived in Rome as a prisoner after a long and difficult journey. Once there, he found that no one had come to formally accuse him. So, Paul decided to meet with the leading Jews in Rome to explain his situation. He wanted to clear up any misunderstandings and show that he still cared for his own people. At this time, Jews had only recently been allowed to return to Rome after being banished, so their community was still rebuilding. Paul hoped to have a good relationship with them and to share the truth about why he was in chains.v. 17–20: Paul gathered the Jewish leaders and addressed them respectfully as "men and brethren." He explained that he had done nothing wrong against the Jewish people or their traditions. Even so, he was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. Paul said the Roman officials had examined him and found no reason for the death penalty. He only appealed to Caesar because the Jewish leaders in Judea opposed his release, not because he wanted to accuse his own people. Paul made it clear that his real reason for being in chains was because of the hope of Israel—the promise of the Messiah and the resurrection from the dead. He explained he was not against the Jewish nation, but wanted them to share in this hope (Acts 28:17–20 d). – – – v. 21: The Jewish leaders replied that they had not received any letters or reports from Judea about Paul. No one had come to accuse him or speak against him. This was surprising, given how much trouble Paul had faced from the Jews in other places. It seems his appeal to Caesar had, for the moment, freed him from their direct attacks (Acts 28:21 e). v. 22: The leaders said they wanted to hear directly from Paul about his beliefs. They admitted that all they really knew about Christianity was that it was a sect spoken against everywhere. Even though they had heard only negative things, they were open to listening to Paul explain what he believed and why. It was common for Christianity to be misunderstood and criticized, even in its earliest days (Acts 28:22 f). Paul at Rome: His Testimony to the Jews This section describes Paul’s meeting with the Jewish leaders in Rome. Even as a prisoner, Paul is eager to share the message about Jesus with his fellow Jews. He spends a whole day teaching and persuading them from the Scriptures, but their responses are divided. Paul explains that this division was foretold in prophecy, and he announces that the salvation of God will also go to the Gentiles. v. 23: On the appointed day, many Jews came to visit Paul at his lodging. He spent the day explaining and testifying about the kingdom of God. Paul used the Law of Moses and the Prophets to show how Jesus is the promised Messiah. He tried to persuade them with careful arguments and teaching, showing that the Christian faith is rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures. v. 24: Some of the Jewish listeners were convinced by Paul’s words and believed, but others did not. The group was divided in their response to the message about Jesus. This shows that the gospel can have different effects—some people accept it, while others reject it, even when they hear the same teaching. v. 25–27: As the group left, they argued among themselves. Paul made a final statement, quoting the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6:9-10 g). He said that God’s message had gone to the Jews, but many would not understand or accept it because of hard hearts and closed eyes. Paul explained that this prophecy was being fulfilled in their response; though they had every opportunity to hear and believe, many chose not to accept the truth. – – v. 28: Paul then declared that the salvation of God would be sent to the Gentiles, and that they would listen. Since many of the Jews were rejecting the gospel, the message would now be shared widely with non-Jewish people who would receive it gladly. v. 29–31: After this, the Jews departed, still arguing among themselves. Paul remained in Rome for two years, living in his own rented house. Even as a prisoner, he welcomed everyone who came to see him. He boldly preached about the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, and no one stopped him. Paul continued his mission faithfully, spreading the gospel to all who would listen. Paul Preaches Two Years at RomeThis passage concludes the story of Paul in the book of Acts. We leave him as a prisoner in Rome, but still actively serving God. Though confined, Paul continued to preach and teach the gospel with great boldness. His time in Rome shows that even in difficult circumstances, God’s work can continue.v. 30: Paul spent two years in Rome living under house arrest. He rented his own house and was guarded by a soldier. Even though Paul had hoped his appeal to Caesar would lead to his release, he remained a prisoner. However, during this time, Paul wrote letters to the churches, including Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These "prison epistles" show that Paul used his confinement for God’s purposes. Although it may seem troubling that such a great servant of God was restricted, God used even this to advance his kingdom (Philippians 1:12-14 h). v. 31: Despite being a prisoner, Paul continued to preach and teach. He welcomed everyone who came to him, whether Jew or Gentile, and shared the message of the kingdom of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul focused on telling others about Jesus—his life, death, resurrection, and the hope of eternal life. Even though he could not travel, people came to him, and his home became a place of ministry. Paul preached with all confidence because he was sure of the truth and power of the gospel. No one stopped him or tried to silence him. God restrained those who might have opposed Paul, allowing him to speak freely during this time (Psalm 76:10 i).In these two years, Paul showed that even limited opportunities can be used for God’s glory. Though physically restricted, his ministry continued to make an eternal impact. This reminds us that God's work cannot be stopped, even when his servants face challenges.
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