Acts 28:1-28:31
We have been going through the Book of Acts, line by line, chapter by chapter, and at last, we are on the very last chapter. Honestly, I am very sad that it is coming to an end. I personally have learned and benefited so much from my time spent studying this book in depth, that it is currently my favorite book in the whole Bible. I have learned a lot about how to study a book in depth through this series, and hopefully each future book we go through line by line will become my new favorite as a result. Starting next week, though, we will take a break from book studies, and begin a series on what it means to really live as a Christian, as a follower of, as it says in Acts, “The Way.” The series is entitled “The Overcoming Christian,” and I will introduce the series next week.
But as I have said, I am sad to end this series on Acts. I think it has changed me. More than anything else, I think God has used it to enlarge my compassion. I have thought so much about what it must have been like to endure all the things the early believers had to endure, and I am more “raw” when I come face to face with the suffering that I see from time to time today.
So, we must go on to Acts. What has happened? Paul, arrested in Jerusalem on trumped up charges, had been held in jail in Caesarea for two years as a political pawn, unable even to go to trial and defend himself. Finally, he had the beginnings of a trial, but aware of the corruption of those over him, Paul chose to “appeal to Caesar” and move the trial to Rome. Last week we looked at the first part of the journey from Caesarea to Rome. It is an understatement to say that it was quite an adventure! It was a miracle that Paul and his nautical traveling companions – primarily soldiers, passengers, crew, and condemned prisoners – survived at all! They did survive, but their ship did not. They now found themselves crawling to shore on a small, barren, rocky island, with no real idea where they were. Let’s pick up the story.
Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." – Acts 28:1-4
The name “Malta” means “refuge,” which is very appropriate given what they had been through to get there. Notice how Paul was helping the islanders with the fire, even after all he had been through over the last two weeks. I think this says volumes about Paul’s character. And the islanders also showed good character; it is not a small task to provide anything suddenly for more than 250 people. They led the way in making a large bonfire to help the party to dry out and warm up.
And then, as Paul put a pile of sticks on the fire, a poisonous snake, a deadly viper, bit Paul on his hand and attached itself to him. When the islanders saw this, they concluded he must have been a murderer, getting his due punishment from the gods. When they said “Justice has not allowed them to live,” they meant the goddess of justice, Dike, for that is what it says in the Greek. Dike was a daughter of Zeus and one of the Horae, the three watchers of men, telling Zeus himself whenever a man escaped without receiving the justice due to him. The following example is from “The Libation Bearers,” a Greek play written by Aeschylus: “‘For a word of hate let a word of hate be said,’ Dike cries out as she exacts the debt, ‘and for a murderous stroke let a murderous stroke be paid.’” This is exactly what the islanders thought was happening. A murderous stroke from Dike herself, sent through that snake, to provide justice against the murderer Paul.
But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. – Acts 28:5-6
Really, this is a very humorous scene. Did Paul even know that the snake was poisonous? I don’t know. But it doesn’t even seem to faze him. Picture the scene. The people watching and staring at Paul; Paul wondering what all the fuss is about.
Let me come back to the literal events here in a moment, but first just consider the symbolism here. I am reminded of Genesis 3:15, where God punishes the crafty serpent for leading Adam and Eve into sin. In God’s curse of the serpent, He says, “He will crush your head, and you will bite his heel.” It wasn’t a head or a heel here, but still, the symbolism is strong. Who really did send that serpent to bite Paul? I would say it could be none other than that master Serpent himself, Satan. And yet, this serpent is utterly defeated, “thrown into the fire.” What could be more symbolic than that? This is exactly what awaits Satan.
Now we can understand this symbolism, but the islanders did not. They were immersed and enslaved in Greek and Roman mythology. How did this event look to them? They saw the murderous stroke from Dike, approved by Zeus (also called Jupiter) himself, utterly defeated. Who could possibly do this, except for a god? So God used even their mythology to show the utter impotence of their gods. It is much like how the plagues in Egypt in the book of Exodus showed the utter impotence of each of the most important Egyptian gods. And although thinking Paul is a god is not at all accurate, at least they respected him, and that was an excellent start for sharing the gospel.
There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. – Acts 28:7-10
After all we have read in Acts, it is easy to read over things like this without getting excited. But wow! God was awesome! “The rest of the sick… came and were cured.” This sure makes it sound like all of them. Again, what an opening to the gospel! Luke does not share the details of that here, but I am sure that Paul and his Christian companions took full advantage of the opportunity.
And for Paul, how good it must have felt to be a part of all this! After two years of being locked up in prison, seemingly useless, even forgotten, how wonderful, even though in chains, it had to be, as it were, to be on another missionary journey.
After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. – Acts 28:11-14
If you look at the map in last week's entry you can see the path Paul took to get to Rome. This time, finally, smooth sailing. An interesting question is this: Why does Luke mention the figurehead of Castor and Pollux? Here is one intriguing theory. Castor and Pollux are the twin gods also known as Gemini. According to mythology, they had helped with calming a storm on the sea, and had also helped in victories over pirates, and so they came to be known as the patron deities of seamen and voyagers.
We all have heard of the constellation for Gemini, and this is a very ancient understanding. How ancient? Well some believe that many of the constellations are far more ancient than even the Greek mythology, that it is in fact corruption of a biblical era of stargazing. We do know that stargazing was used to predict correctly the birth of Jesus.
The twins were always associated with ushering in peace, and there were always together, almost as if they were really one, or inseparable. Yet in mythology, one was killed, and one was eternal – how could this be, if they were always together? This was never adequately explained.
Yet Who do we know that was to usher in an era of peace? Who was killed, and yet lives forever? The theory is that this constellation was a predictor of the Messiah. If this is true, it would explain why Luke mentions it – how appropriate that they are arriving under the “banner” of the Messiah, Jesus! If true, and if Luke and Paul knew this symbolism, how neat that God would have them sail to Rome, at last, in fulfillment of the promise, under the banner of Christ!
The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. – Acts 28:15-16
These locations are known today. The Appian Forum was about 50 miles from Rome, and the Three Taverns was about 30 miles from Rome. Both were along the famous Appian way, a road that connected to Rome. Note that Christianity had already spread to Rome, and letters had been written letting them know that Paul was on his way. I love the line, “At the sight of these men, Paul thanked God and was encouraged.” I hope this verse resonates with you. In a way we are spoiled because we can call believers any time, see each other any time, etc. But to Paul this was a rare treat. Yes, a few of his friends had traveled with him from Caesarea, but it was so encouraging to see other believers. Yes, the Word of God had spread here, at least a little! Yes, God had truly delivered Paul to Rome!
Paul’s living arrangements were pretty great for someone in chains. No doubt he had to pay for his home, and perhaps for the soldier’s expense, but Luke and others in the city helped him out. Still, Paul was in chains. Can you imagine being chained all the time to someone, a soldier? (Actually, it would be multiple soldiers, on shifts.) Even at night. I don’t know what they did about going to the bathroom. Presumably the chain was long enough for a little privacy.
Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any charge to bring against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain." – Acts 28:17-20
Once again, Paul goes first to the Jews. He assures them that he had not done anything against their laws, and neither had he done anything in his appeal to Caesar that accused the Jews of anything. And then he begins to move towards the gospel by saying, “It is because of the Hope of Israel that I am bound.” Who is the Hope of Israel? Jesus.
They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect." – Acts 28:21-22
News of “The Way” had reached them well before Paul arrived, and the news was not good. But to their credit, they had open minds and were willing to hear Paul’s side.
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: – Acts 28:23-25
So now a second meeting takes place, even larger than the last. How I would have loved to be a fly on the wall just so I could listen to Paul! I have no doubt this was his “ultimate masterpiece” of evangelism. He has had, literally, years to prepare himself for this day. Verse after verse of Old Testament prophecy, an overwhelming torrent of support for the truth that Jesus is indeed the long-promised Messiah. And then? They didn’t accept it! I am sure they couldn’t refute his arguments, but becoming a Christian never happens just on the basis of argument. There is a personal cost to becoming a Christian. You must humble yourself and admit your sin, your helplessness to fix it, and your absolute need for a Savior. Many don’t want to do this. And no doubt this was the problem here.
"'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" – Acts 28:26-28
I believe this was one of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire life of Paul. He has lived for years in jail clinging to the promise that he would get to testify about Jesus in Jerusalem. He has gone through being a pawn in a political game, he has gone through an unbelievably harrowing experience at sea culminating in shipwreck, he has been bitten by a deadly serpent, and he has gone through this long, long journey to be, at last, able to fulfill the promise and his dream.
Paul was a Jew. He loved the Jews as he loved himself. He was happy to share the gospel with the non-Jews, but his heart was with the Jews. They were family to him.
Time and time again he had gone to the synagogues first – as he wrote in his letters, “to the Jew first, and then the Gentile” – and time and time again his message of life and hope and rescue was rejected. And now here, at his ultimate chance, after willingly running towards “hardship and affliction” for this moment, once again by and large his message, God’s message, the only message that could save them, was rejected.
Paul says something absolutely astounding about this in Romans 9:
I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. – Romans 9:1-4a
Paul says that he would gladly lose his eternal salvation in Christ and accept eternal condemnation if it would bring the rest of the Jews to Christ. Wow! I have no doubt that Paul meant it – this was not idle talk. But this is not how it works, is it? Jesus Christ has already done all the work – all each of us must do is accept it. It is so little, but we each must do it; no one else can do it for us. God offers us an incredible gift, but first He asks us if we will have it. To those who say “No” He honors their foolish, stupid, tragic request.
In the entire 9th chapter of Romans, Paul goes on to talk about the love God has for the Jews, but how that is not enough. Salvation requires one act on our part: the act of giving up coming to God on our terms, by trying to earn or justify our way before Him. Here is how Paul puts it in the end of Romans 9:
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a Stone that causes men to stumble and a Rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." – Romans 9:30-33
We can get a small taste of this by looking at present day Malta. I was curious about Malta as I thought about the incredible heritage they have written down right here in the beginning of Acts 28. Malta is a pretty small place, with only a few hundred thousand inhabitants in the entire island. Not only did Paul visit there, so that they can say they are all great great great (etc.) spiritual grandchildren of the Apostle Paul himself, but they can look at all the miraculous healings that God did through Paul there. When the Maltese Christians read Acts 28 they are reading about themselves.
So Malta has an interesting history. It has been fought over or taken over by just about every major western civilization that has occurred. They have been colonized by the ancient Sicilians, the Carthaginians, the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Arabs, the Knights of Saint John, the French, and finally the British. Because of their strategic location in the Mediterranean, they have been central in the wars between Carthage and Rome, in the rise of Islam, in the Crusades, in the later wars between Christians and Moslems, in the rise and fall of Napoleon, in the rise and fall of the British Empire, in the fight for democracy against Nazism and Fascism, in the Cold War, and even in the expansion of the European Union.
The real question though for me is, “Is Malta Christian?” The answer is that Malta is one of the most Roman Catholic places in the entire world. More than 95% of the people strongly identify themselves as Roman Catholic. After a lot of searching, I found a link to a website of an evangelical church in Malta, Trinity Evangelical Church. It is a tiny church, but I love what they say on their web pages: “Our church is small but our fellowship is sweet.” I don’t know if I could come up with a better sentiment for us at Clemson Community Church. Our church is small but our fellowship is sweet. Praise God!
Here is more of what is written on their web page: “Nearly two millennia ago, the apostle Paul was shipwrecked on our shores. During his stay on the island, Paul must have preached Christ and justification by faith. It is our great privilege today to uphold and to live the same gospel message ... and share it with everyone.” “A great privilege” is exactly what I was thinking of when I thought of Malta and Acts 28. But as you go through their website you can tell that they too are heartbroken that so few come to Christ in faith instead through works. Most of their outreach is targeted towards their Roman Catholic friends, and the vast majority of their church consists of former Roman Catholics. It must be heartbreaking for them, just as it was for Paul, to see their own people, their family, reject the cornerstone “because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.”
And at last, after 37 weeks, we come to the last two verses in Acts. I still remember, when I first read this about 18 years ago, after being captivated by the whole adventure, turning the page looking for Acts 29. “This can’t be all!” I thought. “Luke, you didn’t finish it!” It is a frustrating feeling. I have experienced reading and playing a beautiful song on the piano that I have never heard before, only to turn the page and realize that it was missing. “This is awful!” I collect some 19th century Christian fiction by several authors, and one of the books was missing about 20 pages. It was actually printed this way, with one section accidentally repeated and one left out. Reading the book, I didn’t find this out until I turned the page and said “Wait! Arggggh!” Fortunately, I found the book online and could read the parts I was missing.
But of course, that isn’t the situation here. The Holy Spirit decided that this was enough of the story for us. For the rest we’ll have to wait until heaven, just like it is with so many other questions we can wonder about. The good news is that we will have eternity with Jesus Himself to get to know these things, as well as more than we can ever imagine. So… here are the last two verses:
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. – Acts 28:30-31
This really was a remarkably wonderful situation. Paul was still in chains, still attached to Roman guards, still never able to have real time alone. Of course, they no doubt all got saved before too long, and were probably pretty nice companions. But still, it is nice to have privacy sometimes. And he lived under a threat that someday he would actually face trial and might lose his life over the outcome. But for now, Paul was able to do what he wanted to do more than anything else in the world: preach the gospel, teach about Jesus, write letters to his dearly beloved friends in churches all throughout the Roman Empire, and to do all of this boldly and without hindrance. Pretty much his whole Christian life he had been severely “hindered” – thrown out of place after place, running for his life, facing opposition and persecution. (There were a few exceptions, but not many.) But not here! Here he was free! As a prisoner, he experienced more freedom than he ever had as a free man.
How do I conclude this message, this series? What do I say?
1. It’s the same God. This is the same Jesus. The One who called Paul on that dusty road and said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” is the One who has called each of us. The One who healed the multitudes, who raised people from the dead, is the same One we serve. He has not grown weak! We may wonder why such miracles seem rarer today, at least here in the west, but let us know that it is the same God. He could blow the roof of our church right now if He wanted to. Even back then, most people did not experience first hand the results of miracles; but they were encouraged, tremendously so, by their reports. Let us be equally encouraged. It’s the same God. It’s the same Jesus.
2. It’s the same desire. What do I mean? God has the same desire. I titled this message, “I would heal them,” from Acts 28:27. The context there is negative – it is dealing with Israel’s refusal, by and large, to turn to Christ to save them from their sins. But God would heal them if they did. And if Paul’s heart was broken over the tragedy of his brothers refusing the call of Christ to repentance and salvation, how much more does God’s own heart break? He loves us, all of us, saved and otherwise, so much that He gave His only Son for us. He desires none to perish, but all to come to repentance and have everlasting life. God had that desire then and He has it now. Let us help Him. Yes, God doesn’t need our help. That’s true. But let us help Him. Let us pray for those we love who haven’t yet turned to Christ, the Cornerstone. Let us share with them. Let us never give up doing this until God calls us home.
We have been going through the Book of Acts, line by line, chapter by chapter, and at last, we are on the very last chapter. Honestly, I am very sad that it is coming to an end. I personally have learned and benefited so much from my time spent studying this book in depth, that it is currently my favorite book in the whole Bible. I have learned a lot about how to study a book in depth through this series, and hopefully each future book we go through line by line will become my new favorite as a result. Starting next week, though, we will take a break from book studies, and begin a series on what it means to really live as a Christian, as a follower of, as it says in Acts, “The Way.” The series is entitled “The Overcoming Christian,” and I will introduce the series next week.
But as I have said, I am sad to end this series on Acts. I think it has changed me. More than anything else, I think God has used it to enlarge my compassion. I have thought so much about what it must have been like to endure all the things the early believers had to endure, and I am more “raw” when I come face to face with the suffering that I see from time to time today.
So, we must go on to Acts. What has happened? Paul, arrested in Jerusalem on trumped up charges, had been held in jail in Caesarea for two years as a political pawn, unable even to go to trial and defend himself. Finally, he had the beginnings of a trial, but aware of the corruption of those over him, Paul chose to “appeal to Caesar” and move the trial to Rome. Last week we looked at the first part of the journey from Caesarea to Rome. It is an understatement to say that it was quite an adventure! It was a miracle that Paul and his nautical traveling companions – primarily soldiers, passengers, crew, and condemned prisoners – survived at all! They did survive, but their ship did not. They now found themselves crawling to shore on a small, barren, rocky island, with no real idea where they were. Let’s pick up the story.
Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." – Acts 28:1-4
The name “Malta” means “refuge,” which is very appropriate given what they had been through to get there. Notice how Paul was helping the islanders with the fire, even after all he had been through over the last two weeks. I think this says volumes about Paul’s character. And the islanders also showed good character; it is not a small task to provide anything suddenly for more than 250 people. They led the way in making a large bonfire to help the party to dry out and warm up.
And then, as Paul put a pile of sticks on the fire, a poisonous snake, a deadly viper, bit Paul on his hand and attached itself to him. When the islanders saw this, they concluded he must have been a murderer, getting his due punishment from the gods. When they said “Justice has not allowed them to live,” they meant the goddess of justice, Dike, for that is what it says in the Greek. Dike was a daughter of Zeus and one of the Horae, the three watchers of men, telling Zeus himself whenever a man escaped without receiving the justice due to him. The following example is from “The Libation Bearers,” a Greek play written by Aeschylus: “‘For a word of hate let a word of hate be said,’ Dike cries out as she exacts the debt, ‘and for a murderous stroke let a murderous stroke be paid.’” This is exactly what the islanders thought was happening. A murderous stroke from Dike herself, sent through that snake, to provide justice against the murderer Paul.
But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. – Acts 28:5-6
Really, this is a very humorous scene. Did Paul even know that the snake was poisonous? I don’t know. But it doesn’t even seem to faze him. Picture the scene. The people watching and staring at Paul; Paul wondering what all the fuss is about.
Let me come back to the literal events here in a moment, but first just consider the symbolism here. I am reminded of Genesis 3:15, where God punishes the crafty serpent for leading Adam and Eve into sin. In God’s curse of the serpent, He says, “He will crush your head, and you will bite his heel.” It wasn’t a head or a heel here, but still, the symbolism is strong. Who really did send that serpent to bite Paul? I would say it could be none other than that master Serpent himself, Satan. And yet, this serpent is utterly defeated, “thrown into the fire.” What could be more symbolic than that? This is exactly what awaits Satan.
Now we can understand this symbolism, but the islanders did not. They were immersed and enslaved in Greek and Roman mythology. How did this event look to them? They saw the murderous stroke from Dike, approved by Zeus (also called Jupiter) himself, utterly defeated. Who could possibly do this, except for a god? So God used even their mythology to show the utter impotence of their gods. It is much like how the plagues in Egypt in the book of Exodus showed the utter impotence of each of the most important Egyptian gods. And although thinking Paul is a god is not at all accurate, at least they respected him, and that was an excellent start for sharing the gospel.
There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. – Acts 28:7-10
After all we have read in Acts, it is easy to read over things like this without getting excited. But wow! God was awesome! “The rest of the sick… came and were cured.” This sure makes it sound like all of them. Again, what an opening to the gospel! Luke does not share the details of that here, but I am sure that Paul and his Christian companions took full advantage of the opportunity.
And for Paul, how good it must have felt to be a part of all this! After two years of being locked up in prison, seemingly useless, even forgotten, how wonderful, even though in chains, it had to be, as it were, to be on another missionary journey.
After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island. It was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. – Acts 28:11-14
If you look at the map in last week's entry you can see the path Paul took to get to Rome. This time, finally, smooth sailing. An interesting question is this: Why does Luke mention the figurehead of Castor and Pollux? Here is one intriguing theory. Castor and Pollux are the twin gods also known as Gemini. According to mythology, they had helped with calming a storm on the sea, and had also helped in victories over pirates, and so they came to be known as the patron deities of seamen and voyagers.
We all have heard of the constellation for Gemini, and this is a very ancient understanding. How ancient? Well some believe that many of the constellations are far more ancient than even the Greek mythology, that it is in fact corruption of a biblical era of stargazing. We do know that stargazing was used to predict correctly the birth of Jesus.
The twins were always associated with ushering in peace, and there were always together, almost as if they were really one, or inseparable. Yet in mythology, one was killed, and one was eternal – how could this be, if they were always together? This was never adequately explained.
Yet Who do we know that was to usher in an era of peace? Who was killed, and yet lives forever? The theory is that this constellation was a predictor of the Messiah. If this is true, it would explain why Luke mentions it – how appropriate that they are arriving under the “banner” of the Messiah, Jesus! If true, and if Luke and Paul knew this symbolism, how neat that God would have them sail to Rome, at last, in fulfillment of the promise, under the banner of Christ!
The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. – Acts 28:15-16
These locations are known today. The Appian Forum was about 50 miles from Rome, and the Three Taverns was about 30 miles from Rome. Both were along the famous Appian way, a road that connected to Rome. Note that Christianity had already spread to Rome, and letters had been written letting them know that Paul was on his way. I love the line, “At the sight of these men, Paul thanked God and was encouraged.” I hope this verse resonates with you. In a way we are spoiled because we can call believers any time, see each other any time, etc. But to Paul this was a rare treat. Yes, a few of his friends had traveled with him from Caesarea, but it was so encouraging to see other believers. Yes, the Word of God had spread here, at least a little! Yes, God had truly delivered Paul to Rome!
Paul’s living arrangements were pretty great for someone in chains. No doubt he had to pay for his home, and perhaps for the soldier’s expense, but Luke and others in the city helped him out. Still, Paul was in chains. Can you imagine being chained all the time to someone, a soldier? (Actually, it would be multiple soldiers, on shifts.) Even at night. I don’t know what they did about going to the bathroom. Presumably the chain was long enough for a little privacy.
Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: "My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—not that I had any charge to bring against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain." – Acts 28:17-20
Once again, Paul goes first to the Jews. He assures them that he had not done anything against their laws, and neither had he done anything in his appeal to Caesar that accused the Jews of anything. And then he begins to move towards the gospel by saying, “It is because of the Hope of Israel that I am bound.” Who is the Hope of Israel? Jesus.
They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect." – Acts 28:21-22
News of “The Way” had reached them well before Paul arrived, and the news was not good. But to their credit, they had open minds and were willing to hear Paul’s side.
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: – Acts 28:23-25
So now a second meeting takes place, even larger than the last. How I would have loved to be a fly on the wall just so I could listen to Paul! I have no doubt this was his “ultimate masterpiece” of evangelism. He has had, literally, years to prepare himself for this day. Verse after verse of Old Testament prophecy, an overwhelming torrent of support for the truth that Jesus is indeed the long-promised Messiah. And then? They didn’t accept it! I am sure they couldn’t refute his arguments, but becoming a Christian never happens just on the basis of argument. There is a personal cost to becoming a Christian. You must humble yourself and admit your sin, your helplessness to fix it, and your absolute need for a Savior. Many don’t want to do this. And no doubt this was the problem here.
"'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" – Acts 28:26-28
I believe this was one of the most heartbreaking moments in the entire life of Paul. He has lived for years in jail clinging to the promise that he would get to testify about Jesus in Jerusalem. He has gone through being a pawn in a political game, he has gone through an unbelievably harrowing experience at sea culminating in shipwreck, he has been bitten by a deadly serpent, and he has gone through this long, long journey to be, at last, able to fulfill the promise and his dream.
Paul was a Jew. He loved the Jews as he loved himself. He was happy to share the gospel with the non-Jews, but his heart was with the Jews. They were family to him.
Time and time again he had gone to the synagogues first – as he wrote in his letters, “to the Jew first, and then the Gentile” – and time and time again his message of life and hope and rescue was rejected. And now here, at his ultimate chance, after willingly running towards “hardship and affliction” for this moment, once again by and large his message, God’s message, the only message that could save them, was rejected.
Paul says something absolutely astounding about this in Romans 9:
I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. – Romans 9:1-4a
Paul says that he would gladly lose his eternal salvation in Christ and accept eternal condemnation if it would bring the rest of the Jews to Christ. Wow! I have no doubt that Paul meant it – this was not idle talk. But this is not how it works, is it? Jesus Christ has already done all the work – all each of us must do is accept it. It is so little, but we each must do it; no one else can do it for us. God offers us an incredible gift, but first He asks us if we will have it. To those who say “No” He honors their foolish, stupid, tragic request.
In the entire 9th chapter of Romans, Paul goes on to talk about the love God has for the Jews, but how that is not enough. Salvation requires one act on our part: the act of giving up coming to God on our terms, by trying to earn or justify our way before Him. Here is how Paul puts it in the end of Romans 9:
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a Stone that causes men to stumble and a Rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." – Romans 9:30-33
We can get a small taste of this by looking at present day Malta. I was curious about Malta as I thought about the incredible heritage they have written down right here in the beginning of Acts 28. Malta is a pretty small place, with only a few hundred thousand inhabitants in the entire island. Not only did Paul visit there, so that they can say they are all great great great (etc.) spiritual grandchildren of the Apostle Paul himself, but they can look at all the miraculous healings that God did through Paul there. When the Maltese Christians read Acts 28 they are reading about themselves.
So Malta has an interesting history. It has been fought over or taken over by just about every major western civilization that has occurred. They have been colonized by the ancient Sicilians, the Carthaginians, the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Arabs, the Knights of Saint John, the French, and finally the British. Because of their strategic location in the Mediterranean, they have been central in the wars between Carthage and Rome, in the rise of Islam, in the Crusades, in the later wars between Christians and Moslems, in the rise and fall of Napoleon, in the rise and fall of the British Empire, in the fight for democracy against Nazism and Fascism, in the Cold War, and even in the expansion of the European Union.
The real question though for me is, “Is Malta Christian?” The answer is that Malta is one of the most Roman Catholic places in the entire world. More than 95% of the people strongly identify themselves as Roman Catholic. After a lot of searching, I found a link to a website of an evangelical church in Malta, Trinity Evangelical Church. It is a tiny church, but I love what they say on their web pages: “Our church is small but our fellowship is sweet.” I don’t know if I could come up with a better sentiment for us at Clemson Community Church. Our church is small but our fellowship is sweet. Praise God!
Here is more of what is written on their web page: “Nearly two millennia ago, the apostle Paul was shipwrecked on our shores. During his stay on the island, Paul must have preached Christ and justification by faith. It is our great privilege today to uphold and to live the same gospel message ... and share it with everyone.” “A great privilege” is exactly what I was thinking of when I thought of Malta and Acts 28. But as you go through their website you can tell that they too are heartbroken that so few come to Christ in faith instead through works. Most of their outreach is targeted towards their Roman Catholic friends, and the vast majority of their church consists of former Roman Catholics. It must be heartbreaking for them, just as it was for Paul, to see their own people, their family, reject the cornerstone “because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.”
And at last, after 37 weeks, we come to the last two verses in Acts. I still remember, when I first read this about 18 years ago, after being captivated by the whole adventure, turning the page looking for Acts 29. “This can’t be all!” I thought. “Luke, you didn’t finish it!” It is a frustrating feeling. I have experienced reading and playing a beautiful song on the piano that I have never heard before, only to turn the page and realize that it was missing. “This is awful!” I collect some 19th century Christian fiction by several authors, and one of the books was missing about 20 pages. It was actually printed this way, with one section accidentally repeated and one left out. Reading the book, I didn’t find this out until I turned the page and said “Wait! Arggggh!” Fortunately, I found the book online and could read the parts I was missing.
But of course, that isn’t the situation here. The Holy Spirit decided that this was enough of the story for us. For the rest we’ll have to wait until heaven, just like it is with so many other questions we can wonder about. The good news is that we will have eternity with Jesus Himself to get to know these things, as well as more than we can ever imagine. So… here are the last two verses:
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. – Acts 28:30-31
This really was a remarkably wonderful situation. Paul was still in chains, still attached to Roman guards, still never able to have real time alone. Of course, they no doubt all got saved before too long, and were probably pretty nice companions. But still, it is nice to have privacy sometimes. And he lived under a threat that someday he would actually face trial and might lose his life over the outcome. But for now, Paul was able to do what he wanted to do more than anything else in the world: preach the gospel, teach about Jesus, write letters to his dearly beloved friends in churches all throughout the Roman Empire, and to do all of this boldly and without hindrance. Pretty much his whole Christian life he had been severely “hindered” – thrown out of place after place, running for his life, facing opposition and persecution. (There were a few exceptions, but not many.) But not here! Here he was free! As a prisoner, he experienced more freedom than he ever had as a free man.
How do I conclude this message, this series? What do I say?
1. It’s the same God. This is the same Jesus. The One who called Paul on that dusty road and said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” is the One who has called each of us. The One who healed the multitudes, who raised people from the dead, is the same One we serve. He has not grown weak! We may wonder why such miracles seem rarer today, at least here in the west, but let us know that it is the same God. He could blow the roof of our church right now if He wanted to. Even back then, most people did not experience first hand the results of miracles; but they were encouraged, tremendously so, by their reports. Let us be equally encouraged. It’s the same God. It’s the same Jesus.
2. It’s the same desire. What do I mean? God has the same desire. I titled this message, “I would heal them,” from Acts 28:27. The context there is negative – it is dealing with Israel’s refusal, by and large, to turn to Christ to save them from their sins. But God would heal them if they did. And if Paul’s heart was broken over the tragedy of his brothers refusing the call of Christ to repentance and salvation, how much more does God’s own heart break? He loves us, all of us, saved and otherwise, so much that He gave His only Son for us. He desires none to perish, but all to come to repentance and have everlasting life. God had that desire then and He has it now. Let us help Him. Yes, God doesn’t need our help. That’s true. But let us help Him. Let us pray for those we love who haven’t yet turned to Christ, the Cornerstone. Let us share with them. Let us never give up doing this until God calls us home.
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