Written ~ 07-10-2024
Read Acts Chapter Twenty Eight
Acts 28
As we conclude the Book of Acts let’s remind ourselves what happened in chapter 27. Since Paul had appealed to Caesar, he set sail with other prisoners and his companions to finally make their way to Rome. When things do not turn out as planned and a mighty storm causes them to be shipwrecked, chapter 27 ends with the passengers escaping safely to the shore of an island, not yet knowing where they had landed. From what we read in chapter 27, we discussed the effects of not seeking the Lord and what can happen when we make life decisions without consulting the Word of God first. So now let’s see where this journey takes Paul, let’s watch as God’s hand moves in this very difficult situation and let’s witness something that could’ve been disastrous but instead turns out to be something miraculous.
Acts 28:1-2…
1 “Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. 2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.”
All 276 passengers aboard the wrecked ship made it safely to shore, I’m sure there would have been some apprehension as to what they would be met with on this unknown island. But all their apprehensions were laid to rest when the people of Malta welcomed them kindly.
Let’s look at this scene from the prospective of the native islanders’. Were they watching the ship coming closer to their shore? Did they see how the wind was tossing it to-and-fro? Were they wondering how this ship and crew could’ve gotten themselves to this desperate state? It would have been obvious that the people on board were anxiously trying to escape a sinking ship. Did they wait and watch to see what would happen? Were they already preparing the fire for their unexpected guests?
When you and I are going through the consequences of our poor decisions, more than likely we have family, friends and maybe other onlookers watching our situation and wondering how we could have allowed ourselves to get in such a predicament. Maybe they are wondering how best to help in our situation. Maybe they are waiting, watching, holding back advice or support until they see the result of the waning consequence. Be assured our loved ones want to see us successfully make our way to “shore” all in one piece, ready for the “welcome home” and ready to receive the necessary help. What is our response to their willingness to help? Do we just continue down the same path with our battered emotions, with our drained mentality and spiritual emptiness? Or do we finally concede and accept the help where it is least expected. The kindness of others is what can help bring us back into the hope we can only find in Jesus. Do we accept the outstretched hand of the Lord? When we can actually see the hand of God working in our lives, it’s right then we will see the miracles He has in store for us.
As Paul and the rest of the ship’s passengers drew nearer to the shore, bobbing up and down in the ocean’s tossing waves, clinging to whatever wreckage was left, did hope and light of the future fill their hearts as the shore became more visible? As the dawning sun crept up over the treetops, did their fear begin to melt away? As each person washed up on shore, what do you think ran through their minds? Maybe it was a sigh of relief as they dragged their weary bodies onto dry land. What a comfort it must have been to see that huge bonfire welcoming them and to witness the helpfulness of the people on the island as they tended to their needs.
Ever since the conversion of Paul back in Acts chapter 9, we are given a front row seat to witness the hand of God placed firmly on Paul’s life and ministry, with the miraculous signs and wonders to the boldness in his preaching, God’s plan and purpose is evident. Now, some 20 years after Paul’s conversion, he is shipwrecked on the island of Malta. Those 20 years found Paul dealing with opposition at every turn, he endured beatings and stoning and then the last couple of years were spent in prison. Discouragement could have plagued Paul’s heart but he never let any of his trials keep him from pushing forward and getting the message of Jesus Christ out to the world.
On the island of Malta, God showed His protection over Paul’s life, after being bitten by a poisonous snake, Paul simply shook it off and no adverse effects happened because of it (Acts 28:3-6). Paul was able to heal the sick during his stay on the island (Acts 28:7-10). And even though it’s not recorded specifically in this chapter, I am quite confident in saying that during the three months Paul and his companions were on Malta, he preached the Good News of Jesus Christ. It would’ve been against Paul’s character had he not…
So, once the winter months passed, Paul and the rest of the passengers boarded a new cargo ship and made their way to Rome (Acts 28:11-14).
Acts 28:15…
15 The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.
I’m sure the long awaited greeting from the believers in Rome was a very welcome sentiment. It says in verse 28:15b, “When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.” Each of us can probably relate to what Paul is feeling at this very moment. Maybe you haven’t seen some of your family or a cherished friend in a very long time, and after months or years of planning you finally get to see them. Heartfelt greetings bring a special joy and peace to one’s heart, don’t they?
Acts 28:16…
16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.
Even though Paul is still guarded by a soldier he is given the freedom to have his own private lodging. That must have felt like a much needed reprieve from being in chains for such a long time.
It didn’t take long for Paul to get settled in and call together the local Jewish leaders (Acts 28:17). This meeting was necessary for Paul to kind of “test the waters,” he needed to see what stance the local leaders had taken in regard to the charges that had been filed against him. Come to find out it didn’t seem like the Jewish leaders in Rome wanted to get mixed up in the affairs of the Jerusalem leaders, they state in verse 28:21, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here.” Could it be that they had heard what was coming through the chain of command but didn’t want any part of it? Instead they continued in verse 28:22 by saying, “We want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”
So Paul arranged for a different meeting time…
Acts 28:23-24…
23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe.
Paul is doing what he does best! He depends on the Word of God to speak through him. He uses Scripture to back up everything he says. In verse 28:24 it says that “…some were persuaded by the things he said…” Paul would do all he could to try and convince those he preached to, that what the Scriptures said about the Messiah had all been fulfilled by Jesus Christ, that He was the Messiah they had been waiting for. It says that Paul “spoke to them from morning until evening…” This wasn’t some quick conversation, Paul was going to tell the people gathered around everything he could from Scripture until everyone was convinced. Even though we know from reading verse 28:24 that not everyone listening believed everything he preached, still some were persuaded. Paul’s mission was for everyone to believe in who Jesus was and is and he was determined to preach the Good News.
Acts 28:25-27…
25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when He said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,
26 ‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
27 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to Me
and let Me heal them.”
Paul fully understood that not everyone would believe the Scriptures. He knew his preaching would reach deaf ears. But he never gave up, he was as determined as ever to get the Gospel Message out to all people, everywhere.
Acts 28:28-31…
28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it. 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, greatly disagreeing with each other.
30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
One of the main reasons Paul was in Rome was to have his trial before Caesar. But Luke does not include that trial in the conclusion of his letter. To tell you the truth, I had do a little research to find out anything about that trial… what I found was that during the two years Paul spent in Rome, he would have indeed stood before Caesar, and the reason I find that to be certain is by what was promised by the Lord in Acts 27:24, “Don’t be afraid Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar!” What we are to assume is that no sentencing was brought down on Paul and that eventually he was released. Plus… It is said that during those two years in Rome under house arrest, is when Paul wrote many of the letters found in the rest of the New Testament.
The calling placed on Paul’s life is incredible, don’t you think? His ministry took him to so many new places. He preached everywhere he went, even under heavy opposition, the Word of the Lord could not be stopped, actually, it only gained momentum. The final verse of the Book of Acts, I think, encapsulates Paul’s entire life mission…
Acts 28:31…
“…boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ…”
We are wise to take note to Paul’s countenance, to his endurance and to his drive in getting the Word of the Lord out to anyone who would listen. By using Paul’s example as a yard stick we can easily see how our own mission for spreading the Gospel measures up. Sometimes it can be quite useful to compare ourselves to all those Apostles we read about in the New Testament. Where their tenacity is never-ending, do we see the same courage and boldness in ourselves? We have the same Holy Spirit, we have the same Scriptures (even more when including the New Testament), we have the same all powerful Father and we have the same Savior, Jesus Christ. But do we have the same drive? Do we have the same urgency?
The challenge we have today is to quiet the world’s noise. Seek the Lord with our whole hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to use us in ways we never thought possible. Not all believers are willing… but are you?
~AMEN~