September 28, 2014
Morning Service

Acts 27 & 28

 

We will finish with the Book of Acts this morning.  Dr. Luke has given us a very good account of workings of the early church, and Apostles.  As we study through the rest of the Scriptures we will return occasionally to this book for reference.  I believe the last book we studied  before getting into Acts was Romans.  Greg led us in this study.  There is nothing anymore exciting than to read your Bible.  You are hearing directly from Almighty God.

Now we plan on summarizing chapter 27.  Acts 27 tells of Paul heading for Rome in a ship.  Paul tells them to winter in Crete, but they don’t listen to him, but to the people running the ship.  There is a terrible storm that comes up, and they are tossed about for fourteen days.  Eventually Paul says I told you so.  Then he tells them not to worry for they will lose not one life of the 276 men on board, but they will lose the ship.  And it happens just this way.

Act 28:1-31  And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.  (2)  And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.  (3)  And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.  (4)  And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.  (5)  And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.  (6)  Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 

·         In Mar 16:16-18  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  (17)  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  (18)  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

·         As we can see this Scripture is fulfilled in this account of Paul’s life.  This Scripture was never meant to teach a doctrine of snake handling, or intentionally drinking anything poison. 

·         Paul will fulfill the next part of this prophecy concerning laying on of hands.

·         Paul is going to Rome to testify concerning his faith in Jesus of Nazareth being the Messiah, the very Son of God.  God is using him greatly, and confirming his authority by allowing these things to happen.

 

(7)  In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.  (8)  And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.  (9)  So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: 

·         So God is working miracles through the Apostle Paul, and Dr. Luke is witnessing it all, and is leaving us an account of it.  This is not only history, but inspired history.

(10)  Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.  (11)  And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 

Castor and Pollux - These were two semi-deities. They were reputed to be twin brothers, sons of Jupiter and Leda, the wife of Tyndarus, king of Sparta. After their death, they are fabled to have been transported to heaven, and made constellations under the name of Gemini, or the Twins. They then received divine honors, and were called the sons of Jupiter. They were supposed to preside over sailors, and to be their protectors; hence it was not uncommon to place their image on ships.

 

(12)  And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.  (13)  And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:  (14)  Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.  (15)  And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.  (16)  And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.  (17)  And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.  (18)  Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.  (19)  But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.  (20)  For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 

·         I feel only love, and concern for his countrymen from what Paul is a saying.

(21)  And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.  (22)  But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. 

·         I always ask myself why.  Christianity is the perfect will of God.  Full of love, mercy, grace, forgiveness, we are taught to be under subjection of the ruling government.  There is nothing to fear from Christianity.  It is clearly the spirit of satan doing the persecution.

(23)  And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.  (24)  And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.  (25)  And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,  (26)  Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:  (27)  For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.  (28)  Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.  (29)  And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.  (30)  And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,  (31)  Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Paul will, before he dies, write 14 letters, that our forefathers deemed to be inspired enough to place them in our Holy Bible.  11 letters went to churches, most that he had established, three letters went to Timothy, and Titus, that we would how to behave ourselves in the church of God.

Paul, the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this first persecution under Nero. Abdias, declareth that under his execution Nero sent two of his esquires, Ferega and Parthemius, to bring him word of his death. They, coming to Paul instructing the people, desired him to pray for them, that they might believe; who told them that shortly after they should believe and be baptized at His sepulcher. This done, the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.

You can read concerning all the early martyrs of the church in Fox’s book of martyrs.

Almighty God, help us to be faithful, and to appreciate all that you have made possible for us.