Acts, Chapter 28
© Copyright 2007 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

 

Acts 28:1-3
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.
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.

 

It was when it was discovered that they were all safe, they also realized that they were on the Island of Melita. The inhabitants were considered barbarous, but kind.  “Barbarian” was an indication of one’s lack of ability to properly speak the Greek language.

 

Due to the rain they experienced at sea and the cold weather, Paul decided to make a fire. When Paul had gathered some sticks, a snake came out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.  That was not good thing, but Paul was on a mission.  There were things that he must accomplish.

 

Acts 28:4-6
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.

 

The locals saw the snake on Paul’s hand, and thought, “No doubt this man is a murderer.  And, though he escaped the sea, he will suffer and die.

 

But, Paul simply shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.  Those around him expected Paul to swell up and die.  That would have been “normal.”  However, when that did not happen they had a change of attitude, and called him a god.

 

Most people, both Christian and non-Christian see with only their carnal eyes and hear with only their carnal ears.

 

Acts 28:7-10

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.

 

In the same holding area were those things belonging to an Island leader, Publius.  He greeted Paul’s party and with courteously allowed them to stay three days.

 

As it “happened,” Publuis’ father was ill.  He may have suffered from dysentery.  That can be fatal. Paul went to him, laid hands on him, and he was healed.

 

At the news of that healing, all who were ill on the island came to Paul to be healed.  Due to that the people gave them great honor, including many gifts. 

 

Acts 28:11-15

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.

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.

 

Their stay in that area was approximately three months.  Then, they departed on board a ship from Alexandria that had wintered on the Island.  Luke identifies the ship’s sign, which was a way of identifying the exact vessel on which they sailed.

 

Their trip took them to Puteoli.  That was a village on the bay of Naples.  There they found some brothers in Christ, and after a short stay, headed to Rome.

 

When it was told that Paul was coming, some came all the way from Appii, a small village on the Apian Way about 39 mile from Rome, to greet him and his companions.

 

People also came from “Three Taverns” a resting area on the way to Rome between Rome and Appii.  The greeting greatly encouraged Paul, Luke, and the others.

 

Acts 28:16 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.

 

Now we come to a parting of the ways with traditionalists.  Most tell a sad tale of Paul’s prison experience in Rome.  In doing that traditionalists ignore this Scriptural period.  To be sure, Paul did experience a Roman prison prior to his second trial, but not at this time.

 

I prefer the Bible truth to man-made fabrication.

 

You will notice that Paul was allowed to live in a rented house along with a single soldier to guard him.  Paul was not chained to the soldier.

 

You will recall that it was a violation of Roman law to “bind” a Roman citizen unless he had been tried and convicted by a Roman court. That had not happened! The guard was there to protect Paul from the rabid Jews who sought to kill him!

 

Most who relate the severity of Paul’s first trial are historically challenged.

 

As we read about Paul’s time in Rome, we will find no reference to Peter.  It is my opinion that Peter was never in Rome.  I once asked a Church historian about that matter, and requested any evidence that Peter was ever in Rome.  He could offer none, but “thought” Peter was there.

 

Acts 28:17-18

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.

 

Shortly after arriving is Rome, Paul arranged a meeting with the local Jewish community leaders.  Paul told them, “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. They would have let me go, because there was no reason to condemn me.”

 

Peter was a no-show at that meeting. His name is not mentioned during the meeting.  Neither Paul nor Peter ever acknowledged explicitly that Peter was ever in Rome.  In my opinion, Peter in Rome is an urban legend. Any teaching that Peter was ever in Rome is false, and anti-biblical!

 

Acts 28:19-20

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 continued, “But when the Jews spoke against it, I was forced to appeal to Caesar. I did not want to accuse the nation of my birth. Because of that I called for you.  I wanted to see you, and to speak with you.  It is because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”

 

The “chain” is a reference to Paul being bound to Christ in the Spirit.  Many times, in Paul’s references to chains, he is using that reference in the idiomatic sense.

 

Acts 28:21-22

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.

 

They answered, “We have not any received letters from Judaea concerning you.  Further, none of the Jewish brothers that have come here have spoken anything against you. However, we do want to hear from you concerning this matter, and this sect.  We know that the sect itself is spoken against by many Jews. 

 

Acts 28:23-24

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.

 

On the appointed day of discussions, a large contingent of local Jews came to Paul’s “lodging” (Gr. xenian-xenian).  It was his rented home, and not a prison cell!

 

Paul discussed the teachings of Christianity, birth, death, and resurrection with them.  He may have discussed grace.  He used the Jewish Scriptures as the basis for his teaching.

 

Verse 24 tells us that some believed the things which were spoken, and some did not.

 

Acts 28:25-29

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.

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

 

The Jews left in complete disarray. 

 

They departed after Paul Quoted Isaiah, “Go unto this people, and say, ‘Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive. 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,’” (Isaiah 6:9-10)

 

Then Paul told them. “Be it known to you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”

 

It is at this point that some feel is the beginning of the “Gentile Church.”  The letters to the Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, 1st Timothy, and Philemon, were written from the rented house in Rome. 2nd Timothy is the only known letter to be written during Paul’s second trial. Titus may have also been written during his second trial.

 

Paul had announced that he was going to the Gentiles before, but he always began by searching out the most open audience for the Gospel, the Gentiles attending Synagogues. 

 

After Paul finished speaking, the Jews departed quarrelling among themselves.

 

Acts 28:30-31

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.

 

Acts ends with something that most Christian theologians ignore.  During the next two years, prior to his first trial, Paul lived in peace at his rented home.  During that time, he taught all who came to him.  He preached the Kingdom of God.

 

No doubt it was not what he would have chosen, but it was what God chose for him.  And, he lived in the joy of the Lord.

 

He would finally be brought to trial where his defense was, no doubt, the same as presented to King Agrippa in chapter 26.

 

He was found innocent, and we are told that he traveled to Spain.  Later, Paul returned to Rome where the Christian persecution had been initiated by Nero.

 

Paul’s second letter to Timothy was written after his second arrest.  I recommend your re-reading it.

 

He was re-arrested, tried, and found guilty of being a Christian.  Then, on one bright sunny day, Paul was taken out and according to his Roman citizenship, was beheaded for the sake of Christ.

 

The gospel of grace was given personally, on the road to Damascus, to Saul of Tarsus, Paul the Apostle.  It is due to His obedience to Christ Jesus that many of us now know about the love of God.

 

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

 

Some deny the reality of that verse and in that they deny the reality of Christ Jesus and the Love of the Father.

 

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