Sunday Morning Service

Acts 28 (Click scripture reference for audio access)

"Rome Sweet Rome!"  •  2.19.12  •  Sunday Morning Service, Calvary Christian Fellowship

Intro.

- As we close the book of Acts today, we are mindful of it's outline, given to us in the first chapter of the book.

- Jesus had promised that His people would receive power to be His witnesses, first in Jerusalem, broadening out into the ends of the earth.

- In their minds, the ends of the earth at that time was the city of Rome, where all roads led and where all progress would be made.

- This final chapter closes in three sections following Paul's path to Rome.

I. The First Opportunity For Malta  (v.1-10)

II. The First Converts In Rome  (v.11-16)

III. The Final Rejection By The Jewish Nation  (v.17-31)

Text

I. The First Opportunity For Malta  (v.1-10)

•  Acts 28:1,2 : "Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold."  : These Maltese natives were very kind to the shipwrecked crew.

- The word for "natives" is "barbaros" meaning that they were not a Greek speaking people. The word is onamatopoetic, meaning that they sounded as if they were saying, "Bar Bar."

- They were barbarians to them, but were capable of showing "unusual kindness."

- The word translated "unusual kindness" would be equivalent to hitting the mark.

- Luke is saying that their actions toward the shipwrecked crew was right on target! They saw what these men had been through and sought only their best.

- They got a fire going and made sure that each person was made welcome, or had a companion to help with their needs! This is a beautiful example for us.

- These people have not yet been introduced to the gospel, and yet, they are incredibly kind and generous in their spirit. How much more should it be said of you and I?

- Pray that God's grace makes you warm and generous towards people!

- Their warmth and hospitality is set against the falling rain and the chill in the air. It was raining and it was cold, but the kindness of these natives made as warm a reception as possible.

•  Acts 28:3-6 : "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 on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.'  But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god." : Paul didn't let the Maltese do all the work. He went and grabbed his own firewood and a dormant serpent!

- This viper woke up from his hibernation and instinctively fastened himself onto Paul's hand.

- The word "fastened" speaks to a transfer of venom. It's used this way by a Doctor in other Greek literature. The natives expected Paul to swell up and die!

- "They said to one another" is written in the imperfect, meaning that they kept saying this over and over among themselves. This was the murmur among the natives.

- This was a great irony and to them, a reinforcement of their belief. Paul had survived a shipwreck only to die by the hand of a serpent! Justice would be served after all.

- The Maltese people believed in the personification of Justice and revenge through the goddess Deke, the equivalent of the daughter of Zeus.

- However, instead of swelling up or dying, Paul just shook off the serpent into the fire. Jesus said that those who would preach the gospel would do just this in Mark 16:17,18.

- When it didn't happen, Paul's reputation was solidly changed from being a man who was "obviously a murderer" to a god who was now among them! Imagine Paul saying, "Not again!"

- He had been accused of being a god before in the city of Lystra, where he and Barnabas were thought to be Zeus and Hermes!

- I'm sure at this moment, Paul used his predicament as an illustration of another man who picked up some wood and absorbed the justice that the snakebitten ones deserved.

- Justice was indeed served, but the snake bite did not affect this man, so He rose from the dead and became both the Just and the Justifier of men! His name is Jesus!

- One final note here: Notice that when the snake bit Paul, the natives expected Paul to swell up and die, to respond as any human being would. It's when he didn't that a door was opened!

- People are watching you as well, expecting to see what the snake bite will produce in you. Will you shake it off or allow it to run it's course? Let the natives see you shake it off!

•  Acts 28:7-10  :  "In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." : The men received immediate care from the natives and then continuing care through Publius.

- His estate was nearby and he was one of the first men of the island. He provided hospitality for a delegation and made them his personal guests caring for their physical needs for three days!

- This guy had it made! He had enough room and supplies for them, but then, a great equalizer struck their family, as Publius' Father became ill with fever and dysentary.

- The word refers to a bloody stool discharge which sounds similar to what is called "Shigellosis" today, which includes these very symptoms. In short, it's no fun!

- God allowed Paul to be there at the perfect time, just when he could pray for this man. Notice that word order. He prayed and then laid his hand on him.

- Paul prayed to show that healing was not his prerogative. Healing was God's job and Paul, thought to be a god, was only a man who worked for God, the healer!

- After he prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. He touched this man. What a wonderful power you and I have to be able to do the same!

- We can pray to our Father, and in His name, touch those with the prayer of our faith! Paul did this for this man and it opened a great door of opportunity as the whole island came to him!

- God allowed for a genuine healing crusade to occur and the whole island was healed! When you are open to God, willing to extend His hand, you never know how great a door you are opening!

- Three months went by and Paul continued to minister. At the end of that time, we can deduce their success, as the Maltese sent them away with honors and provisions.

- Church tradition tells us that the first Pastor on Malta was Publius. God had told Paul that he would go to Rome, a big important city, but Malta was important enough to God to send Paul there!

II. The First Converts In Rome  (v.11-16)

•  Acts 28:11  :  "After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island."  :  Can you imagine the crew talking to the people who had decided to winter there?

- "Wow, I'm really glad that we wintered here. It would have been real tough to sail during this last few months!" The owner and helmsmen felt the fiery stares of their crew when they heard this!

- This ship had been docked there, and it had as a figureheard, the Twin Brothers, referring to the sons of Zeus, Castor and Pollux, who were believed to be the guardians of distressed sailors!

- Luke throws in that detail and laughs: "If those are the guardians, they really blew it last time we were at sea! Thankfully, we have God!"

•  Acts 28:12-15 : "And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage." : Syracuse is a port on the eastern side of the island of Sicily, 90 miles from Malta.

- They stayed there three days, taking on cargo and crew then came to Rhegium, which is another 90 mile trip on the toe of the boot.

- They stayed there a day and the south wind blew them to Puteoli, the gateway to Naples, which is a 250 mile journey and is located on the Italian mainland and had a Christian presence!

- Remember that Paul had penned a letter to the Romans just a few years prior to this. These men represented the first readers of that amazing letter!

- You have to wonder what Paul was feeling at this time. From what we have read, it may be that Paul was beginning to see the fate that awaited him.

- Were these his last days? How would things go? Surely, his mind was on these things, but these brothers showed up and Paul began to focus on that success.

- The gospel that he was living for and would ultimately give his life for, was bearing fruit in the greatest city in the world!

- Having been with the brothers, they headed out toward Rome and were escorted to Appii Forum and Three Inns.

- Appii Forum was the natural place to go, as the city had two roads that led to Rome. It was 43 miles from there. Three Inns was another 10 miles from Appii Forum.

- At this point, another group from that first church in Rome rushed to meet Paul!

- Paul was he thankful for God's encouragement through his body! These men that met him came alongside of Paul stood with him on the way.

- That is what you and I do for one another. Certainly, there are times when all of us need to stand alone with the Lord by our side.

- However, God knows just the right time to bring a believer along for extra strength! He knows when you need some encouragement. He knows when you are on your last leg.

- God's grace for Paul was not miraculous. It was wrapped in flesh and blood, with a warm smile and an understanding ear.

- Thank God for each other and the opportunity to encourage weary Christian souls!

•  Acts 28:16  :  "Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him."  : Every four to six hours, Paul was chained to a new centurion, who according to one commentator, was not allowed to speak to the prisoner.

- Paul, however, was under no such constraints! "What are they gonna do? Arrest me!?"

- One can only imagine the running commentary that was flowing from Paul's mouth! Later on, in the prison epistles, Paul mentions several from Caesar's household that greet the brothers!

- Many of these centurions came to faith in Christ and we'll meet them in heaven. God was building his church, one prison guard at a time!

III. The Final Rejection By The Jewish Nation  (v.17-31)

•  Acts 28:17-20  :  "And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: 'Men and brethren, though I have 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, who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.'"  : Three years have passed since Paul's initial arrest in Jerusalem.

- Paul was curious about what information had come to Rome about him and wasted little time in assembling the leaders of the Jews together.

- Nobody can claim after reading this account, that Paul was anti-Semitic! He kept trying!

- Paul explained his innocence and speaks about what had brought him to Rome.

- Paul had appealed to Caesar in order to move his case along, not to make a complaint against the Jews. In fact, he was in chains because he believed in the Jewish Messiah Jesus!

•  Acts 28:21,22 : "Then they said to him, 'We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.'" : The Jewish leaders had heard nothing about Paul. No word had reached them regarding Paul.

- This was a relief. Paul would have the ability to speak to them without them being prejudiced against him. He could start with a semi-clean slate.

- However, the news about the Way, Christianity, had reached Rome. Among the Jews, the news of this sect was spoken against by all.

•  Acts 28:23 : "So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening."  : Paul knew that his time was short and that these men needed to hear the fulfillment of their prophecies. Paul spent time explaining the scriptures to them.

- The word "explaining" means that he created an exhibit for them to observe, placing scripture next to events, pointing to Jesus as their fulfillment. He expounded scripture for them in this way.

- He also "solemnly testified." The word refers to speaking through a personal witness. He set out this exhibit and then he set up himself as an example, getting on the witness stand!

- "Here are the scriptures as they are and let me tell you from my experience that I have found it to be completely true!"

- The things that I believe about the Kingdom of God, I am confident of and you can be confident of as well! The law and the prophets speak it, Jesus fulfilled, I believe it and you should too!

•  Acts 28:24-27 : " And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: 'The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,  saying, ‘Go to this people and say: 'Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'"  :  Some were persuaded and some disbelieved. Let those words sink in.

- Paul, the greatest living theologian spoke and some were persuaded and some disbelieved!

- Don't be discouraged when you see the same result! Some will hear you put scriptures in front of them and they will be persuaded.

- Your confidence will be their confidence. Your belief will be their belief. The life of Christ that you dwell in, they will dwell in.

- On the other hand some will disbelieve and further harden themselves against the gospel.

- The Jewish contingent went away frustrated. They could not come to a harmonize together.

- Paul adjudicated the scenario with another word from the scripture regarding their response. He quoted the words of Isaiah in Isaiah 6:9,10.

- The context of that passage is the commissioning of Isaiah the prophet into ministry, which included the promise from God that the people of Israel would hear but not receive.

- Jesus quoted from this passage when speaking of the people of Israel as well in Matthew 13:14,15. Paul is confirming what the Lord had already spoken!

- They would have their senses about them regarding the word and Christ. They would hear others speak, see the facts, but never come close enough to allow it to penetrate their hearts!

- This was the final season of their rejection of Christ their Messiah. In Isaiah's passage, the end of that chapter speaks cyptically and prophetically.

•  Isaiah 6:9-11 :  "Then I said, 'Lord, how long?' And He answered: 'Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, the houses are without a man, the land is utterly desolate, the Lord has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. But yet a tenth will be in it, and will return and be for consuming, as a terebinth tree or as an oak, whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump.'" : Isaiah was prophecying about the impending doom of the people of God, who would soon be carried away in captivity by the Babylonians.

- The people of Israel at Paul's time did not know that there was only a decade left before their temple and their religion would be decimated permanently, though the stump of Christ would remain!

- When you minister the gospel to someone, you never know how many more times that person has to receive Christ!

- Every person stands on the precipice of hope or hopelessness! God calls and wants to heal!

- There is a danger in knowing more than you are willing to take into your life! Has Christ become Lord and Master? Has Christ taken the preeminent place in your life?

- If He has, He will heal you of the sin sickness that is pervasive in you otherwise! If He has not, be concerned that you hear but have not heard!

•  Acts 28:28-31  :  "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!' And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves. Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him."  : These Jewish leaders would not comprehend and take the gospel into their hearts.

- But the Gentiles. They would hear it! They would hear and understand. They would see and perceive! They would understand with their hearts and turn.

- You have. You are among that throng that has turned to hear and see and know and God has healed you!

- These Jewish leaders went out of that hour with a great dispute, but for two years, the Lord filled that house with those who would hear the good news of Christ!

- There was some delay in the legal system at that time, but Paul did not delay his work.

- Some believe that Paul was actually able to go back to work as a tent maker and that he even got the chance to travel a bit more before his final appearance before Nero.

- When he wasn't speaking, Paul was writing. He wrote Philippians, Colossians and Ephesians during this time.

- He had a season of freedom, no one forbidding him, a further nod to centurion Christians!

Conclusion

- Acts ends in a very abrupt way, but the end is just the beginning. There are always people who need an introduction to Christ, like the Maltese.

- There are always people who are growing in the grace of knowing Christ, like the Romans.

- Sadly, there are those who are turning their backs on what grace and light they have. You'll encounter each one and when you minister to them, you'll be living the next chapter!