PRAYER REQUESTS

***(If I have left off someone’s name, it’s not intentional; remind me, please)

Everyone on this prayer request list needs prayer; everyone not on the list needs prayer as well.

PRAYER REQUESTS

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PRAYER

Scripture: I John 5:14-15, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His Will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”

I pray that you had a wonderful celebration of 2025 Resurrection of our Savior and you didn’t forget that He was and is the one to be celebrated and not eggs, ham and turkey and the gifts we received. It is truly a wonderful season, even though we celebrate Him every Sunday, at least for an hour and a half as a family. But that is no excuse for individuals giving Him the whole day to nurture the Soul because the whole day belongs to the Lord. It is The LORD’S DAY.

In Acts 27, we emphasized that Paul was adamant about prayers and fasting, especially in times of trouble, because God is a very present help in trouble. Paul served as an example of what we should remember to do when we are stressed beyond reason, and that is to turn to Him.

I John 5:14-15 speaks about confidence in prayer. These verses emphasize that Believers can approach God with assurance, knowing that if they ask according to His Will, He hears us. They also affirm that when God listens, He grants the requests that align with His Divine Purpose. Essentially, it encourages Faith and Trust in God’s responsiveness to prayers that are in harmony with His Will. The beauty of these verses also is the reassurance they bring – knowing that prayers made in alignment with God’s Will are heard and answered. It’s such an encouraging message, and a blessing to know that we have this privilege.

The last time we met, these are some of the key events that we had talked about, as well as verses 11-31:

        Paul and others were shipwrecked on the island of Malta.

        The islanders showed unusual kindness by building a fire to warm them.

        Paul was bitten by a viper but suffered no harm, leading the islanders to believe he was a god.

        Paul healed the father of Publius, the chief official of the island, who was suffering from fever and dysentery.

        After this, other sick people on the island came to Paul and were healed.

        The islanders honored Paul and his companions and provided them with supplies when they were ready to leave.

We begin today with Outline II “Paul the Preacher” – Verses 11-31, page 15

         Paul and his companions set sail from Malta and arrived in Rome.

         Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him.

         Paul called together the local Jewish leaders and explained his situation.

         Paul spoke to them about the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus.

         Some were convinced by what he said, but others did not believe it.

         Paul stayed in Rome for two years, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

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Chapter 28

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING CHAPTER 28

1.     To review the events on the island of Malta following the shipwreck

2.     To observe Paul’s arrival at Rome

3.     To consider Paul’s work in Rome while under house arrest

Paul the Helper (28:1–10)

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.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:¹⁰ Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

God had brought them to the Isle of Malta (which means “refuge”), where the native people welcomed all 276 of them and did their best to make them comfortable.

To the Greeks, anybody who did not speak Greek was a “barbarian.” These people proved to be kind and sympathetic. The storm abated, but the weather was cold, so the natives built a fire. After all he had done for the passengers, Paul could well have requested a throne and insisted that everybody serve him! Instead, he did his share of the work and helped gather fuel for the fire.

No task is too small for the Servant of God because God’s Servants have the “the mind of Christ”

what is the Mind of Christ? “Therefore” in chapter 2 refers to Chapter 1 where he had set the tone of gratitude, encouragement, and joy despite difficult circumstances. Paul said,

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“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,²Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.³Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.⁴Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.⁹Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.¹²Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.¹³For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” – Phil. 2:1–13).

There’s a story that was told:

One rainy day, a man accompanied by two women arrived at Northfield, hoping to enroll his daughter in D. L. Moody’s school for young women. The three needed help in getting their luggage from the railway depot to the hotel, so the visitor “drafted” a rather common-looking man with a horse and wagon, assuming

he was a local cabby. The “cabby” said he was waiting for students, but the visitor ordered him to take them to the hotel. The visitor was shocked when the “cabby” did not charge him and was even more shocked to discover that the “cabby” was D. L. Moody himself! Moody was a leader because he knew how to be a servant.

The episode of the viper reminds us of Paul’s experience in Lystra (Acts 14:6–18). First, the people thought that Justice, one of their goddesses, had caught up with this notorious prisoner who was supposed to drown in the sea but had somehow escaped. (If only they knew!) When Paul failed to swell up and die, they decided that he must be a god himself! Such are the reasonings of people who judge by appearances. Was the viper a weapon of Satan to get Paul out of the way? The storm did not drown him, but a hidden trap might catch him. As Christians, we must constantly be alert, for either the serpent or the lion will attack us; (II Cor. 11:3, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ”; I Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”). 

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We should also keep in mind that we are being watched, and we must use every opportunity to magnify Christ.

Paul and the party remained on the Island of Malta for three months, and, thanks to Paul, they were treated graciously and sent on their way with generous gifts. Since they had lost everything in the shipwreck, the passengers were grateful to have their needs supplied. Luke says nothing about Evangelism on the Island, but we must believe that Paul shared the Gospel with anybody who would listen. His Miraculous Deliverance from the sea and from the viper, and his power to heal, would certainly arouse the interest of the people, and Paul would want to give the Glory to the Lord (“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven – Matt. 5:16).

Paul the Preacher (28:11–31)

 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.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.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.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

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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.

We do not know why Luke took such care to identify the ship. In Greek mythology, “Castor and Pollux” were the names of the twin sons of Zeus and

were revered as the protectors of men on the sea. Many Roman ships bore their image as a plea for safety. It was eighty miles to Syracuse, another seventy to Rhegium, and about 180 to Puteoli, the port of Naples. This time the “south wind” was exactly what they needed in order to make the voyage quickly and safely.

In Puteoli, Paul and his friends, along with Julius and the other prisoners and guards, were urged by the Believers to stay and rest for a week, and Julius gave his

consent. The Centurion knew that Paul had saved their lives, and perhaps he was even getting interested in what these Christians had to offer. Word had gotten to Rome that Paul was coming; how, we do not know. Perhaps Aristarchus did not go

with Paul and Luke on the grain ship, but made his way instead overland to Rome where he met Paul’s friends. (At least twenty-six are named in Rom. 16.) Or perhaps a delegation from Caesarea headed for Rome as soon as Paul appealed to Caesar.

Julius and his party took the famous Appian Way and traveled 125 miles from Puteoli to Rome. The first group of Christians met Paul at the Forum of Appius,

about forty-three miles from Rome, and the second group met him at the Three Taverns, ten miles nearer to the city. (Some saints will go farther than others!)

Paul was greatly encouraged when he met them, as well he might be. Now he could fellowship with the Saints, and they could be a blessing to one another.

Paul’s greatest concern was his witness to the Jews in Rome. They had received no special word about Paul, but they did know that the “Christian sect” was being spoken against in many places (Acts 28:21–22).

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When you read Paul’s letter to the Romans, you get the impression that the Jews in Rome had misunderstood some of his teachings (Rom. 3:8; 14:1ff.). The Apostle

made it clear that his appeal to Caesar must not be interpreted as an indictment against his nation. Actually, he was a prisoner on behalf of his nation and

“the hope of Israel.”

On the day appointed, Paul spent “from morning till evening” explaining the Scriptures and revealing Christ in the law and the prophets. He had “dialogued”

this way with the Jews in one synagogue after another, and now he was sharing the Word with the leaders of many synagogues in Rome.

The result? Some were persuaded and some were not. When the Jewish leaders left Paul’s house, they were still arguing among themselves! But Paul had faithfully given his witness to the Jews in Rome, and now he would turn to the Gentiles.

Paul quoted the words of Isaiah to these men (“And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.¹⁰ Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed” - Isa. 6:9–10), words that described their tragic Spiritual Condition.

Jesus had used this passage in connection with His Parables of the Kingdom (“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

¹⁴ And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:¹⁵ For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” – Matt. 13:13–15; Mark

4:12; Luke 8:10).

The Apostle John in his Gospel applied them to Israel (“Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,⁴⁰ He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them” – John 12:39–40), and Paul quoted them in his Roman Epistle (“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.⁸ (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day” – Rom. 11:7–8).

It is one thing to listen and quite something else to hear, and there is a great difference between seeing and perceiving.

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When you read Paul’s letter to the Romans, you get the impression that the Jews in Rome had misunderstood some of his teachings (Rom. 3:8; 14:1ff.). The Apostle

made it clear that his appeal to Caesar must not be interpreted as an indictment against his nation. Actually, he was a prisoner on behalf of his nation and

“the hope of Israel.”

On the day appointed, Paul spent “from morning till evening” explaining the Scriptures and revealing Christ in the law and the prophets. He had “dialogued”

this way with the Jews in one synagogue after another, and now he was sharing the Word with the leaders of many synagogues in Rome.

The result? Some were persuaded and some were not. When the Jewish leaders left Paul’s house, they were still arguing among themselves! But Paul had faithfully given his witness to the Jews in Rome, and now he would turn to the Gentiles.

Paul quoted the words of Isaiah to these men (“And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.¹⁰ Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed” - Isa. 6:9–10), words that described their tragic Spiritual Condition.

Jesus had used this passage in connection with His Parables of the Kingdom (“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

¹⁴ And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:¹⁵ For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” – Matt. 13:13–15; Mark

4:12; Luke 8:10).

The Apostle John in his Gospel applied them to Israel (“Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,⁴⁰ He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them” – John 12:39–40), and Paul quoted them in his Roman Epistle (“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.⁸ (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day” – Rom. 11:7–8).

It is one thing to listen and quite something else to hear, and there is a great difference between seeing and perceiving.

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When you read Paul’s letter to the Romans, you get the impression that the Jews in Rome had misunderstood some of his teachings (Rom. 3:8; 14:1ff.). The Apostle

made it clear that his appeal to Caesar must not be interpreted as an indictment against his nation. Actually, he was a prisoner on behalf of his nation and

“the hope of Israel.”

On the day appointed, Paul spent “from morning till evening” explaining the Scriptures and revealing Christ in the law and the prophets. He had “dialogued”

this way with the Jews in one synagogue after another, and now he was sharing the Word with the leaders of many synagogues in Rome.

The result? Some were persuaded and some were not. When the Jewish leaders left Paul’s house, they were still arguing among themselves! But Paul had faithfully given his witness to the Jews in Rome, and now he would turn to the Gentiles.

Paul quoted the words of Isaiah to these men (“And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.¹⁰ Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed” - Isa. 6:9–10), words that described their tragic Spiritual Condition.

Jesus had used this passage in connection with His Parables of the Kingdom (“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

¹⁴ And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:¹⁵ For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” – Matt. 13:13–15; Mark

4:12; Luke 8:10).

The Apostle John in his Gospel applied them to Israel (“Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,⁴⁰ He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them” – John 12:39–40), and Paul quoted them in his Roman Epistle (“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.⁸ (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day” – Rom. 11:7–8).

It is one thing to listen and quite something else to hear, and there is a great difference between seeing and perceiving.

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to the ends of the earth. “What was begun with so much heroism ought to be continued with ardent zeal,” Charles Spurgeon, “since we are assured that the

same Lord is mighty still to carry on His Heavenly designs.” “Lo, I am with you always!”

SUMMARY OF ACTS 28

Paul and the others shipwrecked on the island of Malta are warmly welcomed by the locals. While gathering wood for a fire, Paul is bitten by a venomous snake but suffers no harm, which amazes the islanders and leads them to believe he is Divine. Paul then heals the father of Publius, a local leader, and many others who are sick on the island.

After three months, they set sail and eventually arrive in Rome. Paul is allowed to live under house arrest, where he continues to preach and teach about Jesus Christ with boldness, sharing the Gospel with Jews and Gentiles alike.

This chapter emphasizes Divine Protection, Healing, and Paul’s unrelenting Mission to spread the Message of Christ, even in captivity.

No one is putting anyone in jail for the cause of the Gospel… but the question was asked in this class before, I want to ask it again, only personal: “If I were arrested for preaching/teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, would there be enough evidence against me to convict me?”  everybody ask yourself and then your mate that question” Consider motive and opportunity for the answer you give.

I pray God has visited and spoken to your heart in this Class. My prayer is that everyone, tell someone who will tell someone also that Jesus is the Son of God who became our Sacrifice for SIN by dying in our places, and rising from the dead after three days to secure our eternal life.

May God bless the hearers of His Word, and may they meditate on it day and night and that they observe it to do it and they may be prosperous and have good success. May this Church grow in Spirit, in Truth and Wisdom from above and remain peaceable, gentle and easily entreated, may they be full of good fruit, but no partiality and no hypocrisy. Father, it is in the Name of Your Only Begotten Son, Jesus and our Dear Lord and Savior, the Christ, I pray this prayer. Amen.

QUESTIONS

1. What are the main events in this chapter?

- Paul's trip to Rome began (1-8)
- Paul warned of a disaster and was ignored (9-12)
- The tempestuous sea became disastrous for the ship (13-38)
- All were saved in the shipwreck at Malta (39-44)

2. Where were they to sail? (1)

- Italy (1)

3. To whom were the prisoners, including Paul, delivered? (1)

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- Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment (1)

1. Who was also sailing with Paul? (2)

- Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica (2)
- Luke was travelling along as well -- "we" and "us" (2)

2. How did the centurion treat Paul at Sidon? (3)

- He treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care (3)

3. Why did they sail under the shelter of Cyprus? (4)

- The winds were contrary (4)

4. Where did the centurion find the Alexandrian ship? (5-6)

- Myra, a city of Lycia (6)

5. What caused the ship to sail slowly for many days? (7)

- The wind did not permit them to proceed (7)

6. What was the name of the port near the city of Lasea? (8)

- Fair Havens (8)

7. Now that the Fast was over, what was the condition for sailing? (9)

- Sailing conditions were dangerous at that time of year (9)

8. Did the centurion heed Paul's warning? Who did he listen to? (11)

- No, he was "more persuaded" by others (11)
- The helmsman and the owner of the ship (11)

9. What did the majority advise to do? (12)

- To set sail for Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, and winter there (12)

10. What did the sailors use to undergird the ship? Why? (17)

- They used cables/ropes (17)
- They afraid of running aground (17)

11. On the third day, what did they throw overboard? (18-19)

- The ship's tackle (19)

12. What did the angel say to Paul? (23-24)

- "Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you." (24)

13. What did Paul tell them must happen? (26)

- The ship must run aground on a certain island (26)

14. When the sailors sensed they were nearing land, what did they attempt to do? (27-30)

- They let the skiff down under pretense of letting out more anchors (30)

15. What did Paul tell the centurion? What did the soldiers do? (31-32)

- "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." (31)
- The soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall (32)

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1. As Paul tried to convince them to eat, what did he assure them would not happen? (33-34)

- "...not a hair will fall from the head of any of you" (34)

2. What did Paul do in the presence of all of them? (35)

- He took bread, gave thanks to God, and began to eat (35)

3. How many people were on the ship? (37)

- Two hundred seventy-six (37)

4. What did they do after they had all eaten enough? (38)

- They lightened the ship and threw the wheat into the sea (38)

5. When it became day, what did they see? (39)

- They say a bay with a beach (39)

6. As they attempted to run the ship onto the beach, what happened? (40-41)

- They ran the ship aground where the two seas met; the ship was immovable and began to break up from the violent waves (41)

7. What did the soldiers plan to do to the prisoners? (42)

- They planned to kill the prisoners, so none could escape (42)

8. Did the centurion go along with the plan? What did he do? Why? (43)

- He did not go along with the soldiers' plan (43)
- He commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard and get to land (43)
- He wanted to save Paul (43)

9. How did the rest get to shore? How many escaped safely to land? (44)

- They floated on boards and parts of the ship to land (44)
- They all escaped safely to land (44)

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