Acts 28 (Wednesday Evening Bible Study)

Acts 28

• Context:
  • Even if we did not have chapter 28 of Acts how could we know Paul made to Rome?  God promised and prophesied it. 
  • Last time we saw that Paul and all he was traveling with had a ship wreck but none were loss just as Paul had said.
• Acts 28:1-10
• Once safely ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The local people showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. 3 As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7 Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.
  • What did the islanders think of Paul when the viper bit him?
    • That he must be a bad criminal, a murderer. The gods are going to make sure he gets justice even after surviving the ship wreck.
  • What did their thinking change to when was unaffected by the snake bite?
    • From murderer to god…just like that. This event must have Paul like a celebrity on the island. Malta is small 8 X 25 miles. I am sure the news of this spread quickly.
  • Who does Paul heal and what does it cause?
    • The father of Publius…The rest of the sick are brought to Paul and Luke. 
  • In verse 11 we learn Paul spent 3 months on Malta what do you think Paul did in those three months?
    • Surely he shared the gospel but Luke gives us no record of it other than saying they were honored in many ways. The healings would have been done in the name of Jesus.
  • Do you think many on the island became Christians?
  • How did the people of Malta show their appreciation to Paul?
    • Furnished us with the supplies we needed.
• Acts 28:11-16
• 11 After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods as its figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there, after making a circuit along the coast, we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and sisters and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
  • Note: At Puteoli they are done with traveling on ship and will travel the last 150 miles on foot.
  • What unusual things happen at Puteoli?
    • Paul and companions are allowed to stay a week…with the hospitality from Christians there.
  • Are you surprised that Julius the centurion allowed this?
  • What do you think Julius the centurion and the other prisoners and guards thought of Paul after witnessing his actions on this trip?
    • I think they saw him as a man of God…innocent of any crime…and I think all they have been thru together they may have grown closer.
    • At this town Paul is only 150 miles from Rome. A week stay at Puteoli gave time for word to travel to Rome alerting other Christians of Paul’s coming.  Remember Paul has already written the Roman letter we have in our Bibles to them.
  • What impact did these Christian brothers coming out to meet Paul and companions have on them?
    • One group met them 43 miles outside Rome the other group 33 miles…this was great encouragement to them…and what a witness to the others who traveled with Paul.
  • How were the officials of Rome gracious to Paul?
    • Stayed in a house at his expense not a prison cell but still chained to a guard… I wonder if Julius had something to do with this.
• Acts 28 17-22
• 17 After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; even though I had no charge to bring against my people. 20 For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.” 21 Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
  • How was Paul here in Rome consistent with his strategy for evangelism?
    • He went to the Jews first.
  • What is Paul trying to get ahead of?
    • The charges against him by the Jews in Jerusalem. Does Paul mention the Jews in Jerusalem were trying to kill him? No…Paul will not bring a charge against his own people. 
  • What is the hope of Israel and how does that put Paul in chains?
    • The hope is the Messiah the chains come because of interpretation of who the Messiah is…Paul offered Jesus as the personal fulfillment of that hope.
  • The Jews of Rome had heard nothing about Paul and these charges but what had they heard of?
    • 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.  History shows the Jews were expelled from Rome 10 years earlier by the Emperor Claudius over a disturbance about “Chrestus”…it is thought this Chrestus is really about Christ.  If that is the case, then the whole Jewish community was punished because the Jews response to Christ being accepted by many Jews as the Messiah.  The Jews were allowed to return to Rome at some point. So it looks like the Jewish leaders may not want to repeat this action again.
  • NOTE:  Paul’s accusers had 18 months to show up… if they did not chances are the case would be thrown out.
• Acts 28:23-29
• 23 After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. 24 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe. 25 Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said, Go to these people and say: You will always be listening, but never understanding; and you will always be looking, but never perceiving. 27 For the hearts of these people have grown callous, their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; otherwise they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears, 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.”
  • How many people show up for the 2nd meeting?
    • A bunch
  • What does Paul do to try and convince them that Jesus is the Messiah?
    • Uses the Law and the Prophets pointing out Jesus is the Messiah.
  • Once Paul thinks he has done all he can do to convince what does he do?
    • Use the same prophecy Jesus did from Isaiah…which is about Jewish unbelief…Paul is showing them that their religion is getting in the way hearing the truth from God.
  • According to the quote by Paul from Isaiah verses 26-27, is there a line people cross when their rejection of the Jesus and the gospel leads to their hearts being hardened to the point they will never repent and believe?
  • Who will listen to the gospel if the Jews reject it?
    • The Gentiles
• Acts 28:30-31
• 30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
  • What impact did Paul have for two years in Rome?  How many guards became Christians
    • Note: Paul wrote Ephesians- Philippians- Colossians & Philemon while there.
  • What happened after this?
    • Speculation but many think and I agree Paul was released went on to Spain but was arrested again in 67AD and returned to Rome under the persecution of Nero. 2 Timothy4:6-18 makes it clear Paul did not expect to be released…tradition says Paul was condemned and beheaded.
• TAKE AWAY
  • The Word of God cannot be chained…as long as Christians proclaim it.
  • God keeps His promise…it may not be like we think it will be but God is faithful.
  • How can we keep our eyes, ears and hearts sensitive to God while being religious?
    • Humility and obedience
  • The Holy Spirit is clearly the agency of power in Acts.
    • Do you see Him working in You and in the church today?