The Unhindered Gospel Witness

In a Nutshell

centers on bold proclamation as Paul finally reaches Rome after escaping a snake attack on Malta. In Rome he defends and proclaims his gospel even as a prisoner. We find the key verse at the very end of the chapter (and the book) and might literally translate it in this manner: “Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unhindered.”

INTRODUCTION:

A- Background:

1- Recapitulation of events:

Paul’s party had departed from Caesarea, experienced delay in Fair Havens, and had made an ill-advised departure from Fair Havens into the open sea. ().

They had encountered a nor’easter storm of Typhoon intensity. Paul had use the opportunity to witness to the soldiers, sailors and others aboard the ship. The Roman commander, following Paul’s directions, had kept all travelers aboard the ship – even though it eventually broke apart. According to Paul’s prediction, all who were aboard the ship arrived safely on the island. (Acts 27:13 – 44)

Chapter 28 picks up with the shipwrecked travelers arriving safely on shore and receiving remarkable hospitality from the natives of the island.

B- Setting:

I-

1- As a result of the storm, the ship on which Paul traveled suffered shipwreck about 450 miles off course. (See map)

2- After all of the travelers arrived safely on shore, they found out they had landed on the island of Malta.

3- The island of Malta lies 58 miles south of Sicily and 180 miles north of the African coast. The Phoenicians and colonized it thousand years earlier, so the language that was spoken by the citizens in 1st century Malta was a Carthaginian dialect, rather than Greek or Latin. Romans had assumed control of the island in 218 BC and placed a governor on the island to protect the Empire’s interest.

I- The reality of Christ’s resurrection removes our fears and provides hope in life and death ().

Acts 28:1–10 NLT

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. 3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god. 7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

The New American Commentary: Acts (8) Paul’s Deliverance from the Viper (28:1–6)

Throughout Acts miracles are always shown to be in service to the word. They provide the occasion and opportunity for sharing the gospel. Luke gave no account of Paul’s evangelizing Malta; but following the pattern of miracle and witness found throughout Acts, one would naturally assume that Paul seized this opportunity to share the gospel with the natives.

A- God’s amazing power was demonstrated in Christ’s resurrection.

B- Christ’s resurrection guarantees our own resurrection and provides hope for God’s help in the midst of trouble.

II- There is a common bond that connects Christ followers everywhere ().

II- There is a common bond that connects Christ followers everywhere ().

Acts 28:11–16 NLT

11 It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead. 12 Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days. 13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14 There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 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. 16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.

A-

III- The circumstances that we encounter cannot alter God’s plan for our work of carrying out the mission of Christ ().

Acts 28:17–24 NLT

17 Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. 18 The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. 19 But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. 20 I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.” 21 They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. 22 But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.” 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.

IV- There should be no delay in our obedience when God has called us to a distinctive role or task ().

Acts 28:25–31 NLT

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.’ 28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.” 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.

The New American Commentary: Acts 3. The Date of Acts

a large group of scholars date Acts before A.D. 64. This view is always combined with the traditional Lukan authorship and is primarily advanced in an attempt to explain the ending of Acts, which mentions a two-year house arrest of Paul in Rome but says nothing about the outcome of Paul’s arrest (Acts 28:30f.). The abrupt ending would be explained if Luke wrote Acts at precisely this point—two years after Paul’s arrival in Rome and before his case came to trial.18 All this fits quite well, since the “we” narrative has brought Luke to Rome (cf. 27:1–28:16); and the epistles to Colosse and Philemon, which have traditionally been ascribed to Paul’s Roman imprisonment, both mention Luke as being present with Paul during this period. Luke is thus seen to have written Acts at precisely this point and concluded his story after “two whole years” in Rome.

Advocates of this view appeal to other features of Acts, such as the primitive theology of Peter’s speeches, the fact that the Neronic persecution (A.D. midsixties) is nowhere alluded to, and that Luke showed no acquaintance with Paul’s epistles.19

Also, the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 is not mentioned in Acts. Given the prominence of the Jerusalem church and its leaders, such an omission would have been unlikely if Acts were written after Jerusalem’s demise.

CONCLUSION:

A- What happened while in Rome?

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Four: Paul Arrives in Rome (Acts 27–28)

During these two years in Rome, Paul wrote Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. He expected to be released (Phil. 1:23–27; 2:24; Phile. 22) and most students agree that he was. During this time, he had Timothy with him (Phil. 1:1; 2:19; Col. 1:1), as well as John Mark, Luke, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Justus, and Demas (Col. 4:10–14; Phile. 24). He also met Philemon’s runaway slave Onesimus and led him to faith in Christ (Phile. 10–21). Epaphroditus brought a gift to him from the Philippian church and almost died ministering to Paul (Phil. 2:25–30; 4:18). Tychicus was Paul’s “mailman” who delivered Ephesians (Eph. 6:21), Colossians, and Philemon (Col. 4:7–9).

Dr. Luke ended his book before Paul’s case had been heard, so he could not give us the results of the trial. We have every reason to believe that Paul was indeed released and that he resumed his ministry, probably traveling as far as Spain (Rom. 15:24, 28). During this period (A.D. 63–66/67), he wrote letters to Timothy and Titus. He left Titus in Crete (Titus 1:5), Trophimus sick in Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20), and Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3). He planned to meet some of his helpers at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12–13) after he had visited some of the churches he had established. Wherever he went, he sought to bring Jews and Gentiles to faith in Jesus Christ.

He was arrested again, probably about the year 67, and this time his situation was changed drastically. He did not live in a house, but was chained in a prison and treated like a criminal (2 Tim. 1:16; 2:9). Winter was coming, and he asked Timothy to bring him his cloak (2 Tim. 4:13). But the saddest thing about this second imprisonment was his being forsaken by the believers in Rome (2 Tim. 4:16–17). The great apostle to the Gentiles was abandoned by the very people he came to assist.

Even Demas forsook him, and only Luke was with him (2 Tim. 4:10–11). The family of Onesiphorus ministered to his needs (2 Tim. 1:16–18), but he longed for Timothy and Mark to come to be at his side (2 Tim. 1:4; 4:9, 21). Paul knew that the end was coming (2 Tim. 4:6–8). Tradition tells us that he was beheaded at Rome in A.D. 67/68.

Luke did not write his book simply to record ancient history. He wrote to encourage the church in every age to be faithful to the Lord and carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. “What was begun with so much heroism ought to be continued with ardent zeal,” said Charles Spurgeon, “since we are assured that the same Lord is mighty still to carry on His heavenly designs.”

“Lo, I am with you always!”

1- Paul proclaimed the Gospel without hinderance.

a. To any who came and would listen.

b. To Roman guards who were chained to him.

(1) Some of them were saved (; )

2- Paul wrote the letters to Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.

3- He expected to be released (most scholars believe he was) (; ; )

4- He He had companions with him (Tomothy, John Mark, Luke, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Justus, and Demas (; ; ; ; ).

5- Met and led Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, to Christ ().

6- Epaphroditus brought him a gift from the Philippians and almost died (; ).

7- Tychicus was paul’s “mailman” who delivered Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon (; ).

B- What happened after Rome?

1- Paul was released and that he resumed his ministry, probably traveling as far as Spain (, ).

2- During this period (a.d. 63–66/67), he wrote letters to Timothy and Titus. He left Titus in Crete (), Trophimus sick in Miletus (), and Timothy in Ephesus (). He planned to meet some of his helpers at Nicopolis () after he had visited some of the churches he had established. Wherever he went, he sought to bring Jews and Gentiles to faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul was indeed released and that he resumed his ministry, probably traveling as far as Spain (, ).

3- He was arrested again, probably about the year 67, and this time his situation was changed drastically. He did not live in a house, but was chained in a prison and treated like a criminal (; ). Winter was coming, and he asked Timothy to bring him his cloak (). But the saddest thing about this second imprisonment was his being forsaken by the believers in Rome (). The great apostle to the Gentiles was abandoned by the very people he came to assist.

During this period (a.d. 63–66/67), he wrote letters to Timothy and Titus. He left Titus in Crete (), Trophimus sick in Miletus (), and Timothy in Ephesus (). He planned to meet some of his helpers at Nicopolis () after he had visited some of the churches he had established. Wherever he went, he sought to bring Jews and Gentiles to faith in Jesus Christ.

He was arrested again, probably about the year 67, and this time his situation was changed drastically. He did not live in a house, but was chained in a prison and treated like a criminal (; ). Winter was coming, and he asked Timothy to bring him his cloak (). But the saddest thing about this second imprisonment was his being forsaken by the believers in Rome (). The great apostle to the Gentiles was abandoned by the very people he came to assist.

4- Even Demas forsook him, and only Luke was with him (). The family of Onesiphorus ministered to his needs (), but he longed for Timothy and Mark to come to be at his side (; , ). Paul knew that the end was coming (). Tradition tells us that he was beheaded at Rome in a.d. 67/68.

Even Demas forsook him, and only Luke was with him (). The family of Onesiphorus ministered to his needs (), but he longed for Timothy and Mark to come to be at his side (; , ). Paul knew that the end was coming (). Tradition tells us that he was beheaded at Rome in a.d. 67/68.