Acts 28

1 – 3

When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta. It was raining and very cold. But the people who lived there were very good to us. They made us a fire and welcomed all of us. Paul gathered a pile of sticks for the fire. He was putting them on the fire when a poisonous snake came out because of the heat and bit him on the hand.

When we do something for the Lord the devil tries to do something to us. We do not pay attention because we know God will take care of us.

4 – 6

The people living on the island saw the snake hanging from Paul’s hand. They said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He did not die in the sea, but justice does not want him to live.”

But Paul shook the snake off into the fire. He was not hurt. The people thought that Paul would swell up or fall down dead. The people waited and watched him for a long time, but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds about Paul. Now they said, “He is a god!”

Do not be quick to accuse others as Job’s friends were. You do not know what is going on in someone else’s life and talking against them is the evil sin of demon-gossip!

7 – 9

There were some fields around there owned by a very important man on the island. His name was Publius. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us. We stayed in his house for three days. Publius’ father was very sick with a fever and dysentery. But Paul went to him and prayed. Then he put his hands on the man and healed him. After this, all the other sick people on the island came to Paul, and he healed them, too.

Malta has a disease called “milk fever.” Remember that Luke was a doctor and could teach them how to stay well after they were healed.

10 – 12

The people on the island gave us many honors. We stayed there three months. When we were ready to leave, they gave us the things we needed.

We got on a ship from Alexandria. The ship had stayed on the island during the winter. On the front of the ship was the sign of the twin gods. We stopped at Syracuse for three days and then left.

Now it was February and they sailed to Italy near the coast of Sicily.

13 – 16

From there we sailed to Rhegium. The next day a wind began to blow from the southwest, so we were able to leave. A day later we came to Puteoli. We found some believers there, and they asked us to stay with them for a week. Finally, we came to Rome.

The believers in Rome heard that we were there. They came out as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God. Then we arrived at Rome. There, Paul was allowed to live alone. But a soldier stayed with him to guard him.

It made Paul feel good to see the people that he sent the Book of Romans to.

17 – 20

Three days later Paul sent for the Jewish leaders there. When they came together, he said, “Brothers, I have done nothing against our people. I have done nothing against the customs of our fathers. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and given to the Romans. The Romans asked me many questions.

But they could find no reason why I should be killed. They wanted to let me go free, but the Jews there did not want that. So I had to ask to come to Rome to have my trial before Caesar. But I have no charge to bring against my own people. That is why I wanted to see you and talk with you. I am bound with this chain because I believe in the hope of Israel.”

The Jews would know that Paul was talking about the Messiah when he said, “The hope of Israel.”

21 – 22

The Jews answered Paul, “We have received no letters from Judea about you. None of our Jewish brothers who have come from there brought news about you or told us anything bad about you. We want to hear your ideas. We know that people everywhere are speaking against this religious group.”

The Roman Jews only knew that there was a group called Christians who were connected in some way with the Jewish faith.

23 – 24

Paul and the Jews chose a day for a meeting. On that day many more of the Jews met with Paul at the place he was staying. Paul spoke to them all day long, explaining the kingdom of God to them. He tried to persuade them to believe these things about Jesus. He used the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets to do this. Some of the Jews believed what Paul said, but others did not.

Some people today say that it is wrong to share the Gospel because we should not try to change other people’s beliefs. We do not try to change people, we just bring God’s message and stay out of the way so that the Holy Spirit can speak to them. Jesus told us to go and we have no excuse for not doing what He said. Matthew 28:19

Some say, “My life is a not a good example of a Christian and I cannot share the Gospel.” Ephesians 2:8-9 says we cannot boast of anything except the grace of God who makes us into new creatures. How can we not share this?

25 – 27

So they argued, and the Jews were ready to leave. But Paul said one more thing to them: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet. He said, Go to this people and say: You will listen and listen, but you will not understand. You will look and look, but you will not learn.

For these people have become stubborn. They do not hear with their ears. And they have closed their eyes. Otherwise, they might really understand what they see with their eyes and hear with their ears. They might really understand in their minds. If they did this, they would come back to Me and be forgiven.

Maybe Paul knew that Jesus said these same words to the Jews in Matthew 13:14–15. He had written these same words in Romans 11:8.
And He said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.

Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to Me for healing.

Then I said, “Lord, how long will this go on?” And He replied, “Until their towns are empty, their houses are deserted, and the whole country is a wasteland; until the LORD has sent everyone away, and the entire land of Israel lies deserted. Isaiah 6:9–12

28 – 29

“I want you Jews to know that God has also sent His salvation to the non-Jewish people. They will listen!” After Paul said this, the Jews left. They were arguing very much with each other.

Jesus warned the Jews many times that they should pay attention to what He was saying. We do not push people but we do need to let them know that we have a message for them from God.

Then [Jesus] said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Mark 4:9

30 – 31

Paul stayed two full years in his own rented house. He welcomed all people who came and visited him. He preached about the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was very bold, and no one stopped him.

During this time Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.
Philippians 2:24 and Philemon 22 say that Paul expected to be released soon. Roman law said that if a man’s accusers did not come to court after two years then he would be set free.

Church history writers who lived after the time of Paul say that he was set free but he was arrested three years later. Rome was burned after Paul was put in jail for the last time and killed by Nero.