Chapter 43

The Last Lap

Acts 28:1-16

 

At long last the time had come for God to grant His faithful servant's desire.  After years of waiting, two years in a Roman prison in Caesarea, a terrifying two-week-long storm at sea, and another shipwreck, Paul would at last see Rome.  The last chapter of Acts records the story of the apostle's arrival in the imperial capital.

 

The chapter opens with a group of shipwrecked sailors and passengers on the island of Melita (modern day Malta).  Paul had left Caesarea more than 2 months earlier, bound for Rome to have his appeal heard by the emperor.  In a risky attempt to reach a more favorable harbor on Crete to winter in, the ship had been caught in a dreaded northeasterner.  The violent storm had driven the vessel for 14 terror-filled days across the Mediterranean to this island.  There the crew attempted to beach the ship, but it ran aground and was destroyed by the pounding surf.  Miraculously, all 276 persons on board managed to reach the shore safely, as God had promised. 

 

In the first 16 verses of this chapter, we see an illustration of a foundational biblical truth - that obedience brings God's blessing, disobedience brings the chastening, (Luke 11:28; James 1:25; Deuteronomy 28:1ff; Psalm 145:19; Proverbs 10:24).  God blesses obedience.  It doesn't mean that every day will be easy and painless.  But it does mean that ultimately your life will be blessed if you will obey.

 

 

Surrounded By Kindness, vv. 1-10.

 

The residents of this island were definitely pagans.  Verse 2 describes them as "barbarous" which might lead us to believe that they were a bunch of uncivilized natives.  That word, however, refers to anyone who did not speak Greek or Latin in the ancient world.  It is not necessarily a derogatory term.    Although they were civilized, they were still pagans, in the sense that they had no knowledge of Christ and Christianity and Christian truth. 

 

This is illustrated by their superstitious ignorance when Paul was bitten by a deadly poisonous snake, vv 3-6.  They sought to interpret Paul's circumstances with some supernatural superstition.  When the snake latched on to Paul's hand, they interpreted it as a sign that Paul was a murderer who was not going to escape the vengeance of God.  But then, when Paul didn't die, didn't even feel pain, experience swelling, nor any adverse effect from the deadly snake, they concluded that Paul was a god.  And in both cases they were wrong!  They had no concept of Christian truth.  They were, in every sense of the word, pagan.  Just like people around us every day.

 

Are pagans capable of kindness?  Absolutely.  The demonstrated it to Paul and his companions in no small way, vv. 2, 7, 10.  Exhausted from their long ordeal, soaked from their swim to shore, drenched by the driving rain and chilled by the cold November wind, these natives kindled a fire and welcomed every one of the men to warm themselves.  Pagans are capable of hospitality and acts of human kindness, see Romans 2:14-15; 2:1-3.  Paul was blessed of God by being surrounded with kindness.  God met his needs, v. 10-11a, 14.

 

 

Delivered From Harm, vv. 3-5.

 

The storm, the shipwreck and now even the snakebite could not harm Paul who was under the watchful eye of God's loving care and blessing.  Paul's calmness was conspicuous.  After all, most people bitten by poisonous snakes tend to panic!  But Paul was resting completely in his faith that he would see Rome (23:11; 27:24).  (Personal illustration?).  As always in Acts, God used this miracle to authenticate His messenger and His message.

 

 

Given Influence, vv. 8-9.

 

As it was in the days of the apostles, these special men had the power to heal by prayer and with laying on of the hands in faith.  There are no apostles now.  That era has ended.  There are no faith healers now, because those were temporary sign gifts given until the New Testament was complete. 

 

But God still heals in answers to our prayers.  And God certainly uses our visits and our prayers and our concern to be a spiritual influence to those pagans who are around us.  (Examples).  While Luke does not specifically report evangelism, it, no doubt, was the essence of Paul's ministry there.  In fact, historical tradition says that a church was begun on this island and Publis was the pastor!

 

 

Received Encouragement, vv.  11-15.

 

The apostle was greatly encouraged by the Roman Christians who eagerly traveled some distance to come out and meet him.  He thanked God and took courage by their support.  They were strangers to him for the most part.  This is his first trip there.  Perhaps some were old friends, now in Rome (Paul lists 26 in the last chapter of Romans).  It is overwhelming to be loved and supported and encouraged by friends in the Lord.  Thank God for friends!  Thank God for people who love the Lord and who love men of God.  Thank God for those who encourage God's servants!  They are a blessing from the Lord.

 

 

Desires Were Fulfilled, v. 16.

 

Paul had had a desire to be in Rome for many years.  God blessed him by fulfilling this desire.  Yes, he arrived as a prisoner.  But even in that circumstance Paul received lenient treatment.  He was not cast into the Roman dungeon but was permitted to be under house arrest.  In a rented house chained to four Roman soldiers, one at a time in 6 hour shifts.  (Wonder who was chained to whom!)

 

Proverbs 28:20  A faithful man shall abound with blessings...