October 2, 2022
Evening Service

Let’s pray.

We finish with Acts this evening.  The Lord willing when we meet again on Sunday evening the 16^th, we will start a new study in the book of Hebrews.  This will be an exciting study, and I’m looking forward to it.

 

Last Sunday evening Sam left Paul and his companions in a shipwreck.  However, Paul told them to stay in the ship and no life would be lost, and there wasn’t.  This is where we pick up in chapter 28.

 

PAUL ON MALTA

Act 28:1-30  Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.  

Caleb will have the map open.

(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.  

·        Now in the gospel of Mark, which was written by Mark under the direction of Peter, it says this:  Mar 16:15-18  And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  (16)  He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.  (17)  And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;  (18)  they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

·        Paul’s experience with the serpent stems from this prophecy.  This scripture is not intended to teach us to practice handling snakes.  Aren’t you glad?  But it does show us that what Jesus said came to pass.

 

 

(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.

·        Or a bloody flux.  Anyway it was serious.

Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.  

·        This again shows the fulfillment of the prophecy of the great commission.  Laying hands on the sick, and they will recover.

·        Now when we look at the gifts of the Spirit that Paul teaches in ICor. 12, this is what it says;  1Co 12:7-11  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  (8)  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  (9)  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  (10)  To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:  (11)  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

·        Paul says that it is God Who gives the gifts as He wills.  He also encourages us to seek after the best gifts, and certainly healing is one of them.  So don’t hesitate to ask God for this gift, and don’t be afraid to pray for someone.  The proofs in the pudding as they say. If people are healed by your prayers, and the laying on of your hands God has given you this gift.  On the other hand if they are not healed He has not.  Doesn’t that make sense?  WE ARE TAUGHT TO PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER, AND IT WILL BE UP TO GOD TO DO THE HEALING.  SOME ARE HEALED, AND SOME AREN’T.  TRUTH.

(9)  So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.  

·        God allowed Paul to be the instrument of healing to all these people. This confirmed Paul was sent by God.

(10)  They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.  

PAUL ARRIVES 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.  

PAUL IN ROME

·        Now let us notice that there are Jews all over the world, and in most places they were not liked very well.

·        There is no Catholic church at this time, no Pope.  We are talking somewhere in the realm of AD 60 at this time.  Paul will begin to write his prison epistles soon.

(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."  

·        This sect was called the sect of the Nazarenes.  Act 24:5  For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

(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,

 

This is where our Bible ends with the Acts of the Apostles.

 

·        However in Foxes book of Martyrs this is what is said:

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.

Luke

·        The evangelist, was the author of the Gospel which goes under his name. He traveled with Paul through various countries, and is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece.