Day 117 – Thursday, June 12, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Acts 28

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Paul’s Ministry on Malta

1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. ² 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. 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. ⁴ 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.” ⁵ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. ⁶ 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.

⁷ 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. ⁸ 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. ⁹ So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. ¹⁰ They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. 

(Acts 28:1–10, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Once Paul and the other prisoners, the crew and the guards, were on land, they found out they were on Malta.
• The natives made a fire and were kind to them.
• Paul went to gather sticks for the fire. When he laid them on the fire, a viper came out of the heat and bit his hand.
• The natives thought that Paul must be a criminal or an evil man. Paul shook the snake off into the fire.
• When he did not show any signs of poisoning, they changed their minds and thought he was a god.
• Publius was an official of the island, and his father was ill with a fever. Paul laid hands on him and prayed for him, and he was healed. Paul ministered healing to many on the island after this.
• When they all left the island, the natives honored them and gave them whatever they needed.

Arrival at Rome

¹¹ After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. ¹² And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. ¹³ From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, ¹⁴ where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. ¹⁵ 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.

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. 

(Acts 28:11–16, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• After three months on the island, a ship headed to Syracuse docked, and they all caught a ride. After three days there, they sailed to Rhegium, and then on to Puteoli.
• They found fellow believers there, and stayed for a while. Eventually, they went on to Rome, and the prisoners were delivered to the guard in Rome. Paul was allowed to live alone under house arrest with a soldier guarding him.

Paul’s Ministry at Rome

¹⁷ 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, ¹⁸ who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. ¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ 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.”

²¹ 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. ²² But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”

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. ²⁴ And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. ²⁵ 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, ²⁶ saying,

‘Go to this people and say:

“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;

And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

²⁷ 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.” ’

²⁸ “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” ²⁹ And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

³⁰ Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, ³¹ preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. 

(Acts 28:17–31, NKJV)

Points to Ponder:

• Once Paul had settled in, he called for the leaders of the Jews in Rome. He told them that he was innocent of any crime against their people or customs.
• He said that the Romans had found no reason to punish Paul. However, because the Jews rallied against him, he asked to appeal to Caesar for a decision.
• He told them that he was bound because of the hope of Israel. They wanted to hear about this “sect” of Judaism.
• They all met at Paul’s lodging place, and there was much discussion from morning to evening. Some were persuaded, and others did not believe.
• They left Paul when he quoted the prophecy from Isaiah that the people would not believe because their hearts were hard.
• He said that because of their hard-heartedness, that the gospel had been sent to the Gentiles. This truly drove away most of the Jews.
• Paul spent two years in his own house, and received those who would hear his teaching on the Lord Jesus Christ.
• The book of Acts begins with the empowerment of the church by the Holy Spirit, then discusses the ministry of the apostles and the persecution of the church. About midway, the entrance of Saul/Paul takes the story in another direction, but there is still cooperation between the original apostles and the new apostle, Paul.
• This concludes the book of the Acts of the Apostles. It could just as easily be called the “Acts of the Holy Spirit,” but either way it is the continuation of the story of salvation history after Christ’s resurrection.
• The story never gets old, it never becomes obsolete. The story of the gospel is timeless and true. Thank the Lord for the gospel!
• Below are the maps representing the 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys, and the journey to Rome.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.