Study From the Book of Acts,28

Study From the Book of Acts,28

Today we study the final chapter of the Book of Acts, chapter twenty-eighth, and as usual we choose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

After the ship been wrecked, all arrived safely to Malta. Malta was part of the Roman province of Sicily and was located about 60 miles south of that island near the toe of Italy.

Paul and his companions received good hospitality from the inhabitants of the island. That was because of Paul. Paul ministered in Malta as he went into the father of Pablius, the leading citizen, whom had fever, and prayed and laid his hands on him and healed him. That encouraged the rest of those on the island who had diseases to come to him and were healed.

Some Christians travelled 33 miles south to a place called Three Inns to meet Paul. Others travelled ten miles further south to meet Paul at Appii Forum. Three years earlier in his letter to the Roman Christians, Paul had expressed his deep desire to see them someday. And the day had come.

Because Paul had not been accused of dangerous crime and was not considered a political threat, he was permitted to dwell by himself under house arrest. This means he could entertain his friends and minister to groups such as Roman Jews and Gentiles.

The Jewish leaders had not received any news about Paul from Judea. It may be that after Paul’s appeal to Caeser; Paul was on the first ship that made it to Italy. Or the Jewish antagonists may have given up their attacks on Paul, having already failed with Felix, Festus, and Agrippa. A third reason may be that the Jews only back in Rome after the expulsion of Claudius. They departed from Rome as they wanted to avoid trouble.

During two years in house arrest, Paul was permitted to minister to anyone who came to his rented house. Paul also wrote four of the New Testament letters (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon) during this period.   

Luke does not reveal what happened to Paul’s case. Apparently, it had not been decided when Luke finished Acts. However, there are good reasons for believing that Paul was realised, since he had been found innocent by all Roman officials up to this point. Ancient tradition tells us that Paul actually went to Spain as he desired in Rom.15:24. Paul most likely resumed his missionary travels for a few more years before being reasserted, retried, condemned, and executed as a martyr sometime around A.D.67.

 Structure:

Verses 1-10: Paul’s ministry on Malta.

Verses 11-16: arrival at Rome.

Verses 17-27: Paul’s ministry at Rome.

Principle 55: verse 28:3 ----"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.”

Lesson 55: God had just rescued Paul from drowning at sea, and immediately he suffered another kind of trouble. Yet God used both difficult incidents to showcase His power and love to those who did not yet believe in Him.

Principle 56: verse 15: ----” 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.”

Lesson 56: Paul always travelled in ministry teams, and he always drew on the strength of his fellow believers. He knew that no Christian could grow in faith apart from connecting with others in the body of Christ. 24/08/2025.