Chap 28_Acts

OOOOOOOOOOO Acts 28:1–6 (ESV)Paul on Malta 28 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

.... Malta. was on the return route back to Alexandria to pick up more grain. It is located just beneath Sicily which is off the toe of the Italian boot. Was 122 sq miles in size - largest of Maltese islands. It is 180 miles south of Siciliy. About 900 miles from Alexandria.Malta was conquered in the 2nd Punic war in 6th century b.c. and run by a Roman procurator, however it seemed to retain much of its Punic character in biblical times

native people In KJC they are called “barbarous” - this means that the natives did not speak Greek. They were descendants of Phonecia - sailors - so the common language was Punic. The Also they may not have even been absorbed into the Greek mindset as most of the “civilized world” although there were retired Roman soldiers lived there.

They were very hospitable people. The survivors were cold and wet, the Malteans built them a fire. Paul pitched in. Note Paul was wet and cold and a treasured passenger, but he did not regard his role as a famous teacher, he pitched in and gathered sticks for the fire.

When the viper bit Paul - initially they thought that karma was being paid or that the god of justice was being enacted. So they disdainfully sat around waiting for him to die. In their minds he shifted from an unpunished villain to a god.

OOOOOOOOOOO Acts 28:7–10 (ESV) 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

Now the chief or leading man may have been a local title for the top man. He may have been the top native since he doesn’t mention any Roman title. But he obviously had the financial means to entertain the rescued people for 3 days. Now his father is sick. In those days there was a microbe in goat’s milk that caused dysentery known as “Malta fever”. Paul prayed and laid hands on the man’s father and he was healed. Rest of the Island ws healed or receieved treatment- remember Luke was a physcian. The people so grateful for healing ehat they Heaped honors upon them.

It seems that awareness of Christ had not yet reached Malta.

According to tradition, Publius, the Roman Governor of Malta at the time of Saint Paul's shipwreck, became the first Bishop of Malta following his conversion to Christianity. After ruling the Maltese Church for 31 years, Publius was transferred to the See of Athens in 90 AD, where he was martyred in 125 AD. There is scant information about the continuity of Christianity......although tradition has it that there was a continuous line of bishops from the days of St. Paul to the time of Emperor Constantine.

There is also a traditional saying the Paul initiated the Christian church on Malta.

Note that Malta as the last stop to gas station for 900 miles- next stop Alexandria. So many would have been exposed to Christianity and Paul’s events on their return voyage.

OOOOOOOOOOO Acts 28:11–16 (ESV)Paul Arrives at Rome 11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

... 11 After three months - this was more than enough time for Paul to teach the citizens of Malta. He was esteemed for not dying from the viper and for his healing. He would have been an honored and welcomed teacher. Knowing Paul’s drive, he would have charged forward with the gospel. There also most likely some Jews on the island as this was an important spot of the supply chain and the Jews were known traders.

Since his departure was loaded with supplies, the gratefulness of his healing could also have been for the message that Paul carried.

....with the twin gods as a figurehead....Whose sign was Castor and Pollux.] These were two semi-deities, reported to be the sons of Jupiter and Leda, who were afterwards translated to the heavens, and made the constellation called Gemini, or the Twins. It was common to put images on the stern sometimes covered with garlands. Images of bulls, eargles, Today = ..... Nicholas is a patron saint of sailors and travelers because he calmed the stormy waters that threatened their lives. ... 12 Putting in at Syracuse on Siclily. This city was known for its martial spirit. Archimedes made a form of trebuchet [catapult] that hurled giant stones and sank the Roman fleet and also invented the “burning glass” legend has it that he lined up 60 greek sailors and they focused giant mirrors towards a nearby ship and incinerated them.

... then sailed to Rhegium on farthest south toe of boot of Italy and then to mainland of Puteoli after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli[140 miles from Rome]. 14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days.

... came as far as the Forum of Appius [52 miles from Rome… and Three Taverns to meet us On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.another town on the Appian Way about 33 miles from Rome. At first, Appian Way ran only 132 miles (212 km) from Rome south-southeastward to ancient Capua, in Campania, but by about 244 BCE it had been extended another 230 miles (370 km) southeastward to reach the port of Brundisium (Brindisi), situated in the “heel” of Italy and lying along the Adriatic Sea..

Paul was encourage, God had sent him a welcoming committee. They didn’t just wait for him to show up, but went to him walking the 1-2 day journey. God was still in the midst, coordinating, encouraging, delivering. He was now on the last leg to Rome. He was now meeting his destiny, what he had dreamed and been told for the last couple of years. To stand for the Gospel and his Lord before the greatest power on earth.

Paul is still a pampered or highly regarded prisoner. He had only a single soldier as his guard. . He is allowed to set up his own residence, his house arrest.

OOOOOOOOOOO Acts 28:17–22 (ESV) Paul in Rome 17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, 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 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

After getting settled in and sending out the request- he calls the Jewish leaders. His typical approach is to the Jew first.

He reiterates his case and how he arrived in this state. The Romans after hearing his case wanted to free him, but the Jewish leaders wanted the death penalty. What total opposite assessments. One is freedom, the other is death. So now he is in Rome.

He is there for “the hope of Israel”. The coming of the Messiah. He is not in the future, but has come. The Jews thought that this occurred at the end of time. And that Israel would be restored. But Paul will eventually speak about not only Israel, but also Jews who would be spiritually circumcised in the heart.

.. 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you

OOOOOOOOOOO Acts 28:23–29 (ESV) 23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26 “ ‘Go to this people, and say,

“You will indeed hear but never understand,

and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

27 For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and with their ears they can barely hear,

and their eyes they have closed;

lest they should see with their eyes

and hear with their ears

and understand with their heart

and turn, 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 listen.” [29 After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a prolonged debate among themselves.]

Paul explains for 12 hours or more. But as Paul saw there internal disagreement, he saw the same rejection that he had witness for around 30 yrs from the Jews. So in the midst of disagreement, they get up to leave and Paul quotes [correctly]from Isaiah 6:9-10. These verses in Isaiah say to turn back. Paul quotes

But what is unspoken is what follows in verse 11 of Isaiah Then I said, “How long, O Lord?”And he said:“Until cities lie waste without inhabitant,and houses without people,and the land is a desolate waste,and the Lord removes people far away,and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.And though a tenth remain in it,it will be burned again,like a terebinth or an oak,whose stump remains when it is felled.”The holy seed is its stump. It calls for desolation for Israel but Jesus [the holy seed] will be their hope

Paul is not in Rome to gather political clout. In fact Romans had almost washed their hands of it and were just going along. But Paul is there to spread the plea, and proclaim that the Messiah has come and review all the proofs, and prophecies and what work Jesus has done through him.

OOOOOOOOOOO Acts 28:30–31 (HCSB) Paul’s Ministry Unhindered 30 Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness and without hindrance. For 1 years he proclaimed the kingdom of God and teaching about Jesus Christ with boldness and no obstruction - not from the Romans, not from the Gentiles, not from the Jews. Unencumbered proclamation. And complete access for anybody

P