Acts 28

Introduction

[READING]

Acts 28:30–31 NASB95

30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

[PRAYER]

[CONTEXT] We’ve been following the ministry of the Apostle Paul through the second half of the book of Acts, and today our journey comes to a ‘to be continued.’

After being arrested in Jerusalem, tried in Caesarea, and sent to Rome to stand trial before Caesarea, Paul was likely released because two Roman governors found him innocent and the Jews probably didn’t show up to press their charges against him.

He would, however, be rearrested during the persecution by Emperor Nero and write his last letter (2 Timothy) while awaiting execution.

[CIT] But in Acts 28, we learn about how God protected, provided for, and put Paul to use on the island of Malta and in the capital city of Rome.

[INTER] Do you believe that God protects you? Do you believe that He provides for you? Do you believe that He will put you to use wherever He takes you?

[TS] Look at the first PART of this chapter…

EXPOSITION

PART #1: Paul on Malta (vv. 1-10)

Acts 28:1–10 NASB95

1 When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. 10 They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.

[EXP] After two weeks lost at sea due to a terrifying storm, Paul and his shipmates swam safely to the shores of Malta, an island just south of Sicily, Italy.

These were 276 needy and unexpected guests, and the people of Malta treated them admirably.

A fire was built to fight off the cold, wet rain, but when Paul went to add a bundle of sticks to the fire, a viper sunk its fangs into Paul’s hand.

The people of Malta immediately assumed that Paul, although he had dodge death while at sea, would immediately die because he had done something worthy of death—something like murder.

But Paul didn’t die. He shook the creature off into the fire and was totally fine.

When the people of Malta saw that the snake bite had no effect on him, they decided that Paul wasn’t a wicked murderer but a god.

Paul had been called a god before, and as he corrected them then, we can be sure that he corrected the people of Malta now.

But Paul and others were to be guests of Publius, the leading man of the city, for a few days until more permanent accommodations could be made.

“Leading man of the city” was an official title designating Publius as Roman governor of the island.

It turns out his father was sick with recurring fever and dysentery (both of which were common enough ailments in the ancient world); Paul visited the man, prayed to the Lord on his behalf, laid hands on him, and then healed him.

Of course when everyone heard what had happened, they wanted all their ailments healed too, so everyone soon came to Paul.

The miraculous works God performed through him surely won the attention of the crowd when Paul preached the Gospel to them.

Although they were greatly honored by the people of Malta, it was time to head for Rome once winter had past.

In one last mark of respect, the people of Malta supplied all Paul and fellow travelers needed for the remainder of their journey to Rome.

[TS]…

PART #2: Paul comes to Rome (vv. 11-15)

Acts 28:11–15 NASB95

11 At the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. 12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

[EXP] Another Alexandrian grain ship hadn’t shipwreck just offshore of Malta. Perhaps it arrived earlier and decided to spend the winter in its harbor safe and sound. In any event, it was now heading for Puteoli, the major grain port for the Roman Empire, with Paul onboard.

Luke mentioned that figures of the Twin Brothers, Castor and Pollux, adorned the front of the ship.

They were believed by the Romans to be the son of Zeus and the protectors of sailors.

Of course, Luke knew that only the true living God could have protected him from the kind of storm he experienced three months earlier.

It would only be the true living God that brought them safely to Rome.

After leaving Malta, they put in at Syracuse, the capital of Sicily, on the southeastern coast of the island.

Then they went on to Rhegium on the southern tip of Italy’s mainland before getting the winds necessary to sail between Sicily and the Italian mainland.

Once they did so, they came to Puteoli and were greeted by Christians.

Sometimes Paul was the only Christian in town until he preached the Gospel and more Christians were made, but in this case, the Christians were there before Paul got there.

Such was the advance of the Gospel.

Those believers who greeted Paul in Puteoli showed him and his companions hospitality for a week.

And then believers from the city of Rome showed up to welcome and encourage Paul as he traveled the remaining distance to Rome.

First at a place call the Market (of Forum) of Appius (about 40 miles away from Rome) and then at a place called Three Inns (about 28 miles from Rome).

Paul thanked God for these believers and took courage from them.

Who knows what he would face in Rome.

[TS]…

PART #3: Paul enters Rome (vv. 16-29)

Acts 28:16–29 NASB95

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. 17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 “And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 “But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 “For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.” 21 They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 “But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.” 23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. 25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.” ’ 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” 29 When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

[EXP] Once he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to rent his own place and stay by himself, so long as he was under Roman guard.

Once he had settled in for a whole three days, he decided it was time to preach the Gospel to the Jews.

He called them to his place and began by declaring that he was innocent of the accusations against him; he had done nothing against the Jewish people and nothing against the customs of his Jewish ancestors.

The Jewish men replied that they hadn’t heard about the accusations against Paul, but they did want to hear about the Way, the sect that the Jewish leaders everywhere spoke against.

A date was set and the Jews showed up in large numbers.

Paul explained that kingdom of God had dawned with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Paul explained that all those who trust in Jesus’ perfect life, all those who trust in His sacrificial death to pay the price for their sins, all those who trust in the resurrection of Jesus to make them right with God—those folks will enter the kingdom of God.

Paul tried to show them this from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets (i.e., from the whole OT) from morning until evening.

Some were convinced, and some were not.

When they started bickering with one another, Paul gave one final warning to the unbelievers; he applied Isaiah 6:9-10 to them, saying…

Acts 28:26–28 NASB95

26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.” ’ 28 “Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.”

After this, the Jews left.

[TS]…

PART #4: Paul’s two years in Rome (Acts 28:30-31)

Acts 28:30–31 NASB95

30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

[EXP] As I said a the start, Paul was likely freed at the end of this two year period probably because the Jews in Judea never showed up to make their case against him (remember the Jews in Rome hadn’t received any news about Paul before his arrival), so the Jews in Jerusalem probably realized they had no case and were just happy to have Paul far away from Jerusalem, even out of the Promised Land altogether.

But Paul spent the next two years in Rome welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

During this time Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

In Philippians 1:13 he wrote…

Philippians 1:13–14 NASB95

13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

Jesus used the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul to accomplish big things in the Kingdom of God.

[TS]…

ILLUSTRATION & APPLICATION

[INTER] What do we take away from this final chapter of Acts?

#1: We see that Jesus put us to use wherever we are.

[EXP] On Malta Paul was of use.

He was used to heal the sick by the power of Christ, which surely laid the foundation for his preaching Christ and him crucified to the islanders.

Paul was also of use as he traveled to Rome.

According to church tradition, Paul founded a church at Syracuse during the three days his ship stopped there.

And Paul was also of use in Rome.

After only being in town for three days, he called for the Jews and preached Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah crucified and resurrected.

Then he spent the next two years in Rome preaching and teaching.

Wherever Paul was, he knew that Jesus was going to put him to use.

[ILLUS] The great Italian violinist Nicolo Paganini died in 1840. He willed his violin to the city of Genoa under the condition that it never be played again. It was to no longer be put to use but rather put on display.

As a result, Paganini’s violin has become a decayed museum piece, it’s useful wasting away behind protective glass.

[APP] The Lord Jesus has saved us in order to put us to use. He hasn’t saved us so we can be museum pieces. We are meant for continual use for his glory.

Sometimes that usefulness is painful.

Shipwrecks are painful.

Snakebites are painful.

Imprisonment in Rome is painful.

But such was Paul’s usefulness to Christ.

Our usefulness to Christ might not be pleasant, but because he suffered for us, we ought to suffer for him if that is what he requires.

Sometimes usefulness is small.

Paul was useful in a small way when he was putting wood on the fire, but it was that seemingly small usefulness that turned into a larger usefulness.

If he never picked up the wood, he wouldn’t have been bitten by the snake.

If was never bitten, he would have never been mistaken for a god.

If was never mistaken by a good, Publius (the leading man) may have never taken notice of him.

If Publius never takes notice of him, Paul never heals Publius’ father.

If Paul never heals Publius’ father, he never heals anyone else on Malta.

And if Paul never heals anyone in the name of Jesus on Malta, maybe no one listens as he preaches the Gospel of Jesus on Malta.

The small usefulness of putting wood on the fire lead to a larger usefulness soon after.

How is Jesus using you?

Perhaps your usefulness to Him is painful.

Perhaps you feel like your usefulness to him is small.

Even if both of those things are true, the important thing is that you are useful to Him.

[TS] He aims to use you, and He will protect you.

#2: We see that Jesus protects us wherever we are.

[EXP] Paul was protected as the ship broke up just off shore of Malta.

He was protected from the bite of the viper.

He was protected from the islanders who first thought he was a murderer and then protected from pride when they hailed him as a god.

He was protected in Rome during the two years he spent there.

Jesus was using Paul, and Jesus was protecting Paul as He used him.

[ILLUS] Lorrie Anderson was a missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators in her younger years. At the age of 26, she and another young woman went to live among the Candoshi people, a group of headhunters, in hopes of learning the Candoshi language and translating the Bible into it.

One morning in the jungle, Lorrie found a quiet place to read her Bible and pray on the edge of the a river. She didn’t notice the large anaconda weaving its way toward her through the water.

After reading her Bible, Lorrie sat praying through her prayer list with her eyes closed.

That’s when the snake struck, burying its teeth into her flesh, coiling itself around her.

As it held her, it struck her arm repeatedly as she tried to scream for help.

But then suddenly, the snake relaxed its grip, let Lorrie go, and disappeared into the water.

While she was being treated afterward, a witch doctor from a nearby village burst into the hut and stared at her.

The witchdoctor couldn’t believe that Lorrie had survived.

She said her son-in-law, also a witch doctor, had chanted to the spirit of the anaconda that morning and sent it to kill the young missionary.

Lorrie said, “I’m certain that except for the protection of God, it would have worked.”

She spent 35 years in the jungle and was able to lead the chief and many others to faith in Jesus Christ.

[APP] Jesus will protect us as he uses us.

His protection doesn’t meant that we won’t experience discomfort or pain.

His protection doesn’t even mean that we won’t die.

His protection means that death is the worst this world can do to us, and we will not meet death until we are of more use to him in heaven than on earth.

Two years after his release in Rome, Paul was arrested again and then executed?

Did Jesus protect him then? Yes.

Through his own death and resurrection, Jesus protected Paul from eternal suffering in the fire of God’s wrath.

Because Paul believed in Jesus, though he died, yet he lives.

The same is true for all of us who believe.

[TS]…

#3: We see that Jesus provides for us wherever we are.

[EXP] Jesus provided for Paul on the island of Malta, on the way to Rome, and Jesus provided for him once he arrived in Rome.

Jesus put him to us, protected him, and provided for him.

[ILLUS] Missionary to China, Hudson Taylor had faith in God’s provision. He once said…

“Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning… He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all… Depend on it, God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

[APP] Sometimes when God calls us to be of us in new area, we wonder how he will provide for us.

Such may have been the case with Hudson Taylor when he went to China.

Such may have been the case with the Apostle Paul as he made the long journey to Rome.

He knew he would be of use, but how would God provide for him?

In answer, God used the pagans of Malta and the Christians of Rome to provide for Paul.

We can trust that God will provide for us just the same.

He who has put us to use will protect us and provide for us.

[TS]…

CONCLUSION

This week at VBS we will shipwreck on Breaker Rock Beach, let’s remember that…

…Jesus will use us this week,

…Jesus will protect us this week,

…and Jesus will provide for us this week.

[PRAYER]