Sunday School Lessons: Acts 28

Lesson 30

Chapter 28

Last week we learned about Paul's dangerous sea voyage and the miraculous salvation of all 276 people on the ship.  This week, we will work our way through the last chapter in the Book of Acts and conclude our study of this book.

When we left off at chapter 27, the ship had broken up but the people had made it to land by swimming or by floating on parts of the wreckage.

          28:1  After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 

The bay that they landed on is called Saint Paul's Bay to this day.

          2  The native people   showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was             cold. 

I find it interesting to notice that it had 'begun to rain again.'  That means the storm must've slowed down long enough for every one to safely make it to land.  This demonstrates the power of God over the winds and the rains.  He had told Paul that he was to go to Rome and witness there before kings and rulers.  We see the providential hand of God in this small detail.

          3  When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his                   hand. 4  When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer.           Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice   has not allowed him to live.” 

This looks like a dreadful accident!  To have survived a terrible storm and a shipwreck, only to be killed by the bite of a poisonous snake!  The people of the island knew these snakes.  They had seen people who had been bitten die.  This snake had not only bitten Paul, but had fastened onto his hand.  What did they think was the purpose of the snake bite?  

Something else to notice here.  Paul had just survived 14 days at sea with very little food and a swim in a tempest tossed ocean in order to make it to the safety of the shore.  Paul had to be exhausted.  The native people had kindled a fire for them, but as tired as he was, Paul was helping to keep the fire going.  Paul was a hard worker, always serving others.

          5  He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6  They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall                   down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he                 was a god.

Why do you think Paul was unaffected by the snake bite?  What was the response of the native people when they saw that Paul did not get sick and die?  The Bible does not tell us, so we can't know for sure, but what do you think Paul's response may have been if he heard what the natives were saying about him?

7  Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8  It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. 9  And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10  They also honored us greatly,   and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

Some people wonder about whether Paul shared the gospel with the people of the island.  The Bible is silent about this and does not mention people coming to faith in Christ during Paul's stay.  Do you think it's safe for us to assume that Paul DID indeed preach the Gospel to the natives?  Why or why not.  Can you support your opinion by what you have learned previously in the Book of Acts?

          11  After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods   as a figurehead.                  12  Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13  And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after                 one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14  There we found brothers and were invited to stay                with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15  And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the                    Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16  And when we came into              Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him. 

Paul finally arrives in Rome.  He was met by other believers and was greatly encouraged.  When he got there, he was not kept in prison.  He was allowed to live in a rented house, but he had a soldier with him at all times.  Can you think of how God may have used this circumstance to bring the Gospel to the people of Rome?

          17  After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though           I had 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  When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty           in my case. 19  But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my               nation. 20  For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am             wearing this chain.” 21  And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming               here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22  But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect             we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

Paul, while not being forced to stay in a prison cell, is still a prisoner.  Yet he has the freedom not only to move about the city, but also to meet with the leaders of the Jews.  Who called this meeting?  Why did Paul want to meet with them?  Why did they want to meet with Paul?

          23  When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he                         expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from             the Prophets. 

In this last chapter, we will observe some of the same patterns that we have seen before.  Paul went "first to the Jews."  Since he was talking to the Jews, he reasoned with them from the Law and the Prophets.

24  And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 

This is another pattern we have seen.  It is the same thing today. Whenever the Gospel is proclaimed,(what IS the Gospel?)  some will believe and others will not.

25  And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: 

“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

26  “‘Go to this people, and say,

Y ou will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.
27  For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’

2 8  Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”  

This is the last statement of Paul in the Book of Acts.  I think it is fitting, since God had sent him as Apostle to the Gentiles.  

30  He lived there two whole years at his own expense,   and welcomed all who came to him, 31  proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Even though it seems as though he had dismissed the Jews entirely with that last statement, notice that verse 30 tells us that in the two years he remained in Rome, he 'welcomed all who came to him.'  It is also said that he spent his time proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

The Book of Acts doesn't tell us any details about the two years that Paul spent in Rome before his death.  It seems like a very abrupt ending.   However, it really isn't an ending at all. The church goes on. The Gospel is still proclaimed with boldness and without hindrance in most parts of the world.  People are still coming to faith in Christ; lives are being changed through faith in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.