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: “For with God nothing shall be impossible” – Luke 1:37

This means that God has ALL POWER in Heaven and in earth. He can do anything. Nothing is too hard for God. The Bible says, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

Do you wonder why we cannot see God? The reason we cannot see God is that God is a Spirit. When God made us, He gave us a body. He also gave us a Spirit. 

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Our Spirit lives in our heart to communicate with God and with us, when we are surrendered – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” – Psalm 66:18. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” – Isaiah 59:2. These verse emphasize that sin creates a barrier between humanity and God, preventing Him from hearing our prayers. In Addition, Romans 3:23 states, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” highlighting the universal nature of “SIN” and its consequences. So, SIN is understood to create a separation from God, as indicated in these biblical passages.

If you have Repented of SIN and Surrendered your life to Christ, SIN IS FORGIVEN. To be surrendered is to live in obedience to the Will of God. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” – John 1:8. The Nature of SIN: (Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings) will always be in our hearts. When we surrender our lives to Christ, He controls the Nature of SIN.

As Christians, when you are tempted to commit a sin, and you yield to the temptation, you must name it and ask for forgiveness in order to be forgiven… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” – I John 1:9. Other people can see our body, but they cannot see our Spirit. Our spirit with us sees God because He is Spirit. The Spiritual cannot communicate with the physical. When Adam saw that his bride, Eve, had sinned, he couldn’t communicate with her (she was physical, unholy, immoral and sinful). So, he deliberately laid down his “Glory” to save His Bride, Eve.

That’s what God did for humanity. He could not communicate with us (everyone born after Adam and Eve are physical and therefore sinful, immoral, unclean and unholy. Holy, applied to God is not only separate from all that is evil, but also, He is completely pure and distinct from all other beings. This Theological concept often central to many faiths – the idea that God possesses absolute purity and a nature that sets Him apart from everything else in existence. This belief can inspire Awe and Reverence, highlighting the Divine as wholly unique and perfect). So, He took a part of Himself, wrapped it in flesh, and left His Glory in Heaven [so that He would NEED to depend on the Holy Spirit to carry out His Divine death sentence on our behalf. Every act of Jesus was by the Power of the Holy Spirit. What makes us think that we can do anything without the Power of the Holy Spirit?] He left His Glory in Heaven to Save His Bride, The Church.

Adam, a Type of Jesus Christ; Eve, a type of the Church.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” – John 15:5.

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“The Lord’s Prayer” in John 17, directed to the Father by Jesus, the LORD, He asks for His Glory back. He prayed:

“… Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:² As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.[with all that Power and Glory, He could not have died, so, He left it in Heaven]³And this is LIFE ETERNAL, that they might KNOW THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom thou hast sent.⁴ I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.⁵ And now, O Father, GLORIFY THOU ME WITH THINE OWN SELF WITH THE GLORY which I had with thee before the world was” – John 17:1-5.

Adam was a Type of Jesus Christ. God showed us Jesus in Adam, except for SIN.

God is all Spirit. He doesn’t have a body like ours. That is why we cannot see Him. The Apostle John says, “God is a spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” – John 4:24.

I was asked just a day or two ago, “Is God Black?” My answer: “God is Spirit. “He cannot be seen with the natural or naked eye. He must be seen with a Spiritual Eye.” Their response: “I have never heard it put that way before.”

This concept of “seeing God with a Spiritual eye” is deeply profound and often varies depending on one’s Faith in Him, one’s culture, or one’s personal Spiritual Journey. At its core, it typically refers to perceiving the Presence, Essence, or Work of God beyond what is visible to the physical eye.

This might mean any or all of the following to you, it’s not for me to decide:

        Recognizing God’s Hand in the beauty of nature.

        Feeling a Divine Connection in moments of stillness.

        Sensing God’s Guidance in challenging times.

        For some, it’s about cultivating a heart attuned to faith, gratitude, and love, which allows them to “see” the Divine in everyday life.

        It may be teaching or preaching as you expound the Word.

        People often achieve this deeper Spiritual Vision through practices like prayer, study and meditation of the Sacred Word of God, or you may achieve this by acts of kindness and service.

        Some may feel His Presence by a journey of quiet reflection and active seeking. But remember, it is only by Faith that we see God.

I feel His Presence by studying and meditating on His Word; by closing my eyes in the Worship Service is my time with Him in Worship. I can’t feel HIS PRESENCE, if I’m watching you or if I’m trying to hear what you’re saying to me.

You have to find your moment when His Presence is most prevalent with you. Otherwise, He can’t get in because something else has your attention.

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 5. Leadership Styles

•         Paul: A Missionary leader, Paul focused on teaching, mentoring, and establishing Churches. He was bold in confronting issues and tireless in spreading the Gospel across the Roman Empire.

        David: David was a warrior-king, leading Israel in battles and uniting the nation. His leadership was characterized by bravery, strategic thinking, and reliance on God’s Guidance.

While both men were instrumental in God’s Plan to save man, their lives showcase different aspects of faith: David’s heartfelt Devotion and kingship in the Old Testament and Paul’s Transformative Mission and Theological Contributions in the New Testament. Their stories inspire us in unique ways. Which part of their journeys resonates most with you?

What can we learn? What we do good or bad has no Salvational Value. Believing God and taking Him at His Word is Salvation; unbelief bring about eternal death.

From Acts chapter 27, we left off with the voyage despite warnings from Paul, he set good examples for them, yet they went headlong into a storm that destroyed their livelihood, but God saved their lives. How do you repay God when He saves your Spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional life?  

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They’re essential for various tasks, like ferrying passengers, crew, or supplies to and from the main vessel. Historically, they can also be used by sailors as lifeboats or for short excursions.), they pulled it in for fear they lose it, or it be driven against the ship and cause damage. As the storm grew worse, the crew did all it could to keep the ship afloat. They wrapped ropes (or chains) around the hull so the boat would not come apart, and they took down some of the sails. The second day, they started throwing some of the wheat overboard, and the third day they jettisoned the furnishings. (Note Luke’s use of “we” in Acts 27:19.) Because of the storm, they could not see the sun or the stars, so it was impossible to determine their position. The situation seemed hopeless, and it all happened because one man would not listen to God’s Messenger. Sometimes we get ourselves into storms for the same reasons: impatience (Acts 27:9), accepting expert advice that is contrary to God’s WILL, following the majority, and trusting “ideal” conditions (Acts 27:13). “He that believeth shall not make haste” – Isaiah 28:16). 

pays to listen to God’s Word.

Paul the Encourager (27:21–44)

Paul began as a prisoner; he ended as the captain. Paul “took over” the situation when it was obvious that nobody else knew what to do.

A crisis does not make a person; a crisis shows what a person is made of, and it tends to bring true leadership to the forefront. Paul gently rebuked the Centurion, pilot, and captain for ignoring his warning. Soon they would discover that God had spared all of them only because of Paul.

Consider Paul’s Four Ministries of encouragement to the passengers and crew.

He shared God’s Word with them

(“And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.²³For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,²⁴ Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.²⁵Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.²⁶Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island” – 22–26).

A Messenger from the Lord had visited Paul and told him that the ship and cargo would be lost, but that all the Passengers would be spared and cast on an island. Once again, the Lord gave him a special word of encouragement at the right time (Acts 18:9–10; 23:11). Today, we are not likely to have visions, but we do have the Promises in His Word to encourage us (Isa. 41:10; 43:1–5; Rom. 15:4). It was for Paul’s sake that God did this, and it was Paul’s faith that God honored. What a testimony he was to the people on that storm-tossed ship!

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He warned them

(“²⁷But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;²⁸And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.²⁹Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.³⁰And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,³¹Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.³²Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off vv. 27–32).

During the two weeks they had been at sea, the ship had been driven by the wind, over five hundred miles off course and was now adrift in the Adrian Sea. (It is now called the Ionian Sea and must not be confused with the Adriatic Sea.) As the crew took soundings, they discovered that the water was getting shallower (from 120 feet to 90 feet), indicating that land was near. From the roar of the waves,

it appeared that the ship was headed for the rocks.

In order to keep the prow headed toward shore, some of the crew dropped four anchors from the stern.

But others of the crew tried to escape from the ship in the dinghy that had been brought on board (Acts 27:16). This was not only an act of selfishness and revolt on their part, but it was also an act of unbelief.

Paul had told everybody God’s Promise that He would keep all those safe who sailed with him on the voyage (Acts 27:24). For the men to abandon ship was to take their lives in their own hands and threaten the lives of others. Whether the soldiers acted wisely in cutting the boat free, it is difficult to determine, but in an emergency, you take emergency measures.

He set a good example before them

(“³³And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.³⁴Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.³⁵And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.³⁶Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.³⁷And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.³⁸And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea” – vv. 33–38).

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What a difference it makes when a person has faith in God! Instead of vainly wishing for a change (Acts 27:29) or selfishly trying to escape (Acts 27:30), Paul got ready for the demands that would come at daybreak. It is not difficult to understand why everyone had fasted those two weeks, but now it was time to eat. Caring for one’s health is an important part of the Christian life, and

even an Apostle must not abuse his body.

Paul took the bread and openly prayed and gave thanks to God. (This is a good example for us to follow when we are eating in public places.) His example

encouraged the others to join him, and before long, everybody felt better. There are times when one dedicated Believer can change the whole atmosphere of a situation

simply by trusting God and making that faith visible.

He rescued them vv. 39–44).

(³⁹And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.⁴⁰And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.⁴¹And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.⁴²And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.⁴³But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:⁴⁴And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

When it was day, the pilot saw where they were and made every effort to get the ship to shore. But it was all futile; the ship was grounded, and the waves began to beat the stern to pieces. The only thing the passengers could do was jump into the water and make for land. The soldiers, of course, were concerned about their prisoners, for if a prisoner escaped, the soldier was held accountable and could be killed. Once again, it was Paul whose presence saved their lives. Just as the Lord Promised, all of them made it safely to shore, and not one was lost. I have a feeling that Paul had been sharing the Gospel with his fellow passengers and that some of them had trusted in the Lord as a result of this experience.

Luke does not give us the details, but would you expect Paul to do otherwise?

Before leaving this exciting section of Acts, we should note some practical lessons that Acts 27 teaches us. 

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What a difference it makes when a person has faith in God! Instead of vainly wishing for a change (Acts 27:29) or selfishly trying to escape (Acts 27:30), Paul got ready for the demands that would come at daybreak. It is not difficult to understand why everyone had fasted those two weeks, but now it was time to eat. Caring for one’s health is an important part of the Christian life, and

even an Apostle must not abuse his body.

Paul took the bread and openly prayed and gave thanks to God. (This is a good example for us to follow when we are eating in public places.) His example

encouraged the others to join him, and before long, everybody felt better. There are times when one dedicated Believer can change the whole atmosphere of a situation

simply by trusting God and making that faith visible.

He rescued them vv. 39–44).

(³⁹And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.⁴⁰And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.⁴¹And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.⁴²And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.⁴³But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:⁴⁴And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

When it was day, the pilot saw where they were and made every effort to get the ship to shore. But it was all futile; the ship was grounded, and the waves began to beat the stern to pieces. The only thing the passengers could do was jump into the water and make for land. The soldiers, of course, were concerned about their prisoners, for if a prisoner escaped, the soldier was held accountable and could be killed. Once again, it was Paul whose presence saved their lives. Just as the Lord Promised, all of them made it safely to shore, and not one was lost. I have a feeling that Paul had been sharing the Gospel with his fellow passengers and that some of them had trusted in the Lord as a result of this experience.

Luke does not give us the details, but would you expect Paul to do otherwise?

Before leaving this exciting section of Acts, we should note some practical lessons that Acts 27 teaches us. 

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

1. 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)

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

- The winds were contrary (4)

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

- Myra, a city of Lycia (6)

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

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

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

- Fair Havens (8)

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

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

7. 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)

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

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

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

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

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

- The ship's tackle (19)

11. 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)

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

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

13. 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)

14. 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)

15. 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)

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

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

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

- Two hundred seventy-six (37)

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

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

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

- They say a bay with a beach (39)

20. 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)

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

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

22. 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)

23. 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)

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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