Paul Arrives In Rome Acts 28:1-31 - Bible Study Workshop
Paul Arrives In Rome Acts 28:1-31 - Bible Study Workshop
Paul Arrives In Rome Acts 28:1-31 - Bible Study Workshop
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<strong>Paul</strong> <strong>Arrives</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Rome</strong><br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:1-<strong>31</strong><br />
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<strong>Paul</strong> <strong>Arrives</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Rome</strong><br />
Text:<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:1-<strong>31</strong>,<br />
1. And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was<br />
called Melita.<br />
2. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they<br />
kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present<br />
rain, and because of the cold.<br />
3. And when <strong>Paul</strong> had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on<br />
the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.<br />
4. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his<br />
hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer,<br />
whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not<br />
to live.<br />
5. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.<br />
6. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down<br />
dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no<br />
harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a<br />
god.<br />
7. <strong>In</strong> the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the<br />
island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us<br />
three days courteously.<br />
8. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever<br />
and of a bloody flux: to whom <strong>Paul</strong> entered in, and prayed, and laid<br />
his hands on him, and healed him.<br />
9. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the<br />
island, came, and were healed:<br />
10. Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed,<br />
they laded us with such things as were necessary.<br />
11. And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria,<br />
which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.<br />
12. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.<br />
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13. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium:<br />
and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to<br />
Puteoli:<br />
14. Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them<br />
seven days: and so we went toward <strong>Rome</strong>.<br />
15. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to<br />
meet us as far as The Appius Forum, and The Three Taverns:<br />
whom when <strong>Paul</strong> saw, he thanked God, and took courage.<br />
16. And when we came to <strong>Rome</strong>, the centurion delivered the<br />
prisoners to the captain of the guard: but <strong>Paul</strong> was suffered to dwell<br />
by himself with a soldier that kept him.<br />
17. And it came to pass, that after three days <strong>Paul</strong> called the chief of<br />
the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto<br />
them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against<br />
the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner<br />
from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.<br />
18. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go,<br />
because there was no cause of death in me.<br />
19. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal<br />
unto Caesar; not that I had aught to accuse my nation of.<br />
20. For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to<br />
speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with<br />
this chain.<br />
21. And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judea<br />
concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or<br />
spake any harm of thee.<br />
22. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as<br />
concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.<br />
23. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to<br />
him into his lodging to whom he expounded and testified the<br />
kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the<br />
law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.<br />
24. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some<br />
believed not.<br />
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25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed,<br />
after that <strong>Paul</strong> had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by<br />
Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,<br />
26. Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and<br />
shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:<br />
27. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are<br />
dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see<br />
with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their<br />
heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.<br />
<strong>28</strong>. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent<br />
unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.<br />
29. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had<br />
great reasoning among themselves.<br />
30. And <strong>Paul</strong> dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and<br />
received all that came in unto him,<br />
<strong>31</strong>. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which<br />
concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man<br />
forbidding him.<br />
<strong>In</strong>troduction:<br />
I. Verses 1-6 verify that all shipwrecked passengers and crew were<br />
saved alive just as <strong>Paul</strong> had prophesied. The citizens of Malta aided in<br />
the rescue, built a fire and received them kindly. <strong>Paul</strong> was snakebitten.<br />
II. Verses 7-10 relate that the chief man of the island extended<br />
hospitality to those shipwrecked. <strong>Paul</strong> performed many miraculous<br />
cures on Malta.<br />
III. Verses 11-16 tell of the continuing journey to <strong>Rome</strong> after a three<br />
month delay, first by ship and then by land. As <strong>Paul</strong> approached <strong>Rome</strong><br />
the brethren greeted him cordially.<br />
IV. Verses 17-22 specify that <strong>Paul</strong> made an appointment to speak to<br />
unconverted Jews a week after his arrival in <strong>Rome</strong>.<br />
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V. Verses 23-<strong>28</strong> related the same old story; that is, the Jews rejected<br />
<strong>Paul</strong>’s message although some did believe.<br />
VI. Verses 30, <strong>31</strong>. summarize the two years of <strong>Paul</strong>’s imprisonment in<br />
<strong>Rome</strong>. <strong>Acts</strong> closes with <strong>Paul</strong> still in prison, but expecting release.<br />
Commentary:<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:1, 2, And when they were escaped, then they knew that the<br />
island was called Melita. And the barbarous people showed us no<br />
little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one,<br />
because of the present rain, and because of the cold.<br />
I. It was soon determined that the passengers and crew had escaped to<br />
the island of Melita, Malta.<br />
A. Malta is 20 miles east to west and 12 miles wide.<br />
B. Malta was a part of the province of Sicily. The two islands are<br />
58 miles apart.<br />
II. The barbarians showed those shipwrecked unusual kindness in that . .<br />
.<br />
A. they built a fire and received them all . . .<br />
1. The survivors needed and received help.<br />
B. because of the present rain and because of the cold.<br />
1. This is an extension of the stormy weather previously<br />
encountered.<br />
2. <strong>In</strong> late fall the weather was turning cold.<br />
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III. “Barbarians” simply means that these people did not speak Greek.<br />
The term as used here is not to be regarded as derogatory. They were<br />
not enculturated to the Greco-Roman lifestyle.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:3, 4, And when <strong>Paul</strong> had gathered a bundle of sticks, and<br />
laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and<br />
fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous<br />
beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this<br />
man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet<br />
vengeance suffereth not to live.<br />
I. <strong>Paul</strong> helped kindle a fire by:<br />
A. gathering a bundle of sticks and placing them on the fire.<br />
B. <strong>Paul</strong> was certainly not “afraid of work” and did not think he was<br />
to be “waited on” because he was a preacher.<br />
C. A viper came out of the bundle of sticks because of the heat of<br />
the fire, bit <strong>Paul</strong> on his hand, fastened itself on <strong>Paul</strong>’s hand.<br />
II. When the islanders saw the venomous snake attach itself to <strong>Paul</strong>’s<br />
hand they . . .<br />
A. talked with each other and concluded that . . .<br />
B. <strong>Paul</strong> was a murderer who had luckily escaped death at sea but<br />
was now . . .<br />
C. to die to satisfy Justice.<br />
1. The word Justice is capitalized indicating the reference is<br />
to the goddess Justilia, the daughter of Zeus and the<br />
avenger of crime.<br />
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<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:5, 6, And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no<br />
harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen<br />
down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and<br />
saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that<br />
he was a god.<br />
I. <strong>Paul</strong> shook the snake into the fire and took no harm.<br />
A. Mark 16:17, 18, And these signs shall follow them that believe;<br />
<strong>In</strong> my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new<br />
tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any<br />
deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the<br />
sick, and they shall recover.<br />
II. The islanders expected <strong>Paul</strong> to swell or fall down dead suddenly.<br />
A. The local people surely knew a poisonous snake when they saw<br />
one.<br />
III. When they watched a long time and saw no harm come to <strong>Paul</strong>, they<br />
changed their minds and concluded that <strong>Paul</strong> was a god.<br />
A. <strong>Acts</strong> 14:8-20, And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in<br />
his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never<br />
had walked: The same heard <strong>Paul</strong> speak: who stedfastly<br />
beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,<br />
Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped<br />
up and walked. And when the people saw what <strong>Paul</strong> had done,<br />
they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia,<br />
The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they<br />
called Barnabas, Jupiter; and <strong>Paul</strong>, Mercurius, because he was<br />
the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before<br />
their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would<br />
have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles,<br />
Barnabas and <strong>Paul</strong>, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in<br />
among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these<br />
things We also are men of like passions with you, and preach<br />
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unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living<br />
God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things<br />
that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk<br />
in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without<br />
witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and<br />
fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And<br />
with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they<br />
had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither<br />
certain Jews, from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the<br />
people, and, having stoned <strong>Paul</strong>, drew him out of the city,<br />
supposing he had been dead. Howbeit as the disciples stood<br />
round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the<br />
next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.<br />
B. How quickly people change their minds!<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:7-9, <strong>In</strong> the same quarters were possessions of the chief man<br />
of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged<br />
us three days courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of<br />
Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom <strong>Paul</strong><br />
entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.<br />
So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island,<br />
came, and were healed:<br />
I. Publius, the chief man of the island (Malta),<br />
A. owned land in the area where these events took place.<br />
B. entertained <strong>Paul</strong> and his companions courteously three days.<br />
II. Publius’ father was sick of a fever and dysentery, most likely caused<br />
by a microbe in goat’s milk.<br />
A. <strong>Paul</strong> went into the sick room,<br />
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B. prayed, layed his hands on him, and healed him.<br />
C. Publius was well rewarded for his hospitality to <strong>Paul</strong>.<br />
III. The news about this spread widely.<br />
A. All the rest of the sick people on the island were also healed by<br />
<strong>Paul</strong>.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:10, Who also honored us with many honors; and when we<br />
departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.<br />
I. Publius honored <strong>Paul</strong>, Luke, et. al. with many honors.<br />
A. <strong>Paul</strong> was not paid for performing miracles of healing<br />
B. <strong>Paul</strong> was highly respected for services rendered in the name of<br />
Jesus.<br />
II. When the 276 people involved in the shipwreck boarded another ship<br />
to continue their journey, Publius and other islanders provisioned<br />
them.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:11, And after three months we departed in a ship of<br />
Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor<br />
and Pollux.<br />
I. The shipwrecked mariners remained on Malta for three months.<br />
II. Winter now being past, the shipwrecked mariners set sail on a ship of<br />
Alexandria whose sign was The Twin Brothers.<br />
A. Malta has several good harbors in which ships could winter.<br />
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B. The Twin Brothers (Dioscuri), the mythical sons of Jupiter,<br />
Castor and Pollux were especially honored by sailors. The<br />
constellation Gemini is named for them.<br />
C. The ship had figureheads of these Twin Brothers on the bow.<br />
D. Rhegium, their second port of call on the way to <strong>Rome</strong>, also<br />
honored The Twin Brothers.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:12, 13, And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.<br />
And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and<br />
after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to<br />
Puteoli:<br />
I. The ship docked at Syracuse and remained there three days.<br />
A. Syracuse was 90 miles north of Malta.<br />
II. A circuit was made and then the ship docked at Rhegium, located 75<br />
miles north of Syracuse, where it remained for one day.<br />
A. A circuit, circle was made because of the wind direction.<br />
B. Rhegium is on the toe of Italy at the extremity of the strait of<br />
Massena.<br />
C. The favorable south wind enabled the ship to travel between<br />
Sicily and the Italian mainland thus avoiding a trip around<br />
Sicily.<br />
III. A south wind, a very favorable wind, arose which took the ship in<br />
two days to Puteoli, 210 miles north of Rhegium.<br />
A. Puteoli, located 130 miles south of <strong>Rome</strong>, was a port of major<br />
importance, located eight miles north of Naples.<br />
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B. Grain ships unloaded their cargo here.<br />
C. From here the prisoners with Julius and his soldiers continued<br />
by Land to <strong>Rome</strong>.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:14, Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry<br />
with them seven days: and so we went toward <strong>Rome</strong>.<br />
I Julius, his soldiers and the prisoners stayed in Puteoli seven days which<br />
. . .<br />
A. enabled <strong>Paul</strong> to visit with Christians there.<br />
1. This certainly speaks to Julius’ kindness to <strong>Paul</strong>.<br />
2. Julius was not required to permit <strong>Paul</strong> to visit with the<br />
disciples.<br />
B. enabled Julius to re-equip his soldiers, all equipment having<br />
been lost in the shipwreck.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:15, 16, And from thence, when the brethren heard of us,<br />
they came to meet us as far as The Appius Forum, and The Three<br />
Taverns: whom when <strong>Paul</strong> saw, he thanked God, and took courage.<br />
And when we came to <strong>Rome</strong>, the centurion delivered the prisoners<br />
to the captain of the guard: but <strong>Paul</strong> was suffered to dwell by<br />
himself with a soldier that kept him.<br />
I. Brethren in <strong>Rome</strong> heard that <strong>Paul</strong> was approaching.<br />
A. The road traveled was the Appian Way.<br />
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II. Roman Christians came to The Market, Forum of Appius and The<br />
Three Taverns to meet <strong>Paul</strong>.<br />
A. The Market of Appius was 43-45 miles south of <strong>Rome</strong> while<br />
The Three Taverns was 33-35 miles south of <strong>Rome</strong>.<br />
B. <strong>Paul</strong> had written the Roman Christians of his intentions to visit<br />
them, but he had not expected to arrive as a prisoner.<br />
III. When <strong>Paul</strong> saw these brethren he thanked God and took courage.<br />
A. The Christians in <strong>Rome</strong> were not ashamed of <strong>Paul</strong>’s chains.<br />
B. Neither God nor faithful Roman Christians had forsaken <strong>Paul</strong>!<br />
IV. Upon his arrival in <strong>Rome</strong>, The Imperial City, <strong>Paul</strong> was permitted to<br />
abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:17, And it came to pass, that after three days <strong>Paul</strong> called the<br />
chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he<br />
said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed<br />
nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I<br />
delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.<br />
I. Three days after his arrival in <strong>Rome</strong>, <strong>Paul</strong> called together the chief of<br />
the Jews and taught them about Jesus.<br />
A. Romans 1:16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for<br />
it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;<br />
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.<br />
II. <strong>Paul</strong> said,<br />
A. Although I had done nothing against the Jewish people or the<br />
custom of our fathers,<br />
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B. I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the<br />
Romans.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:18, 19, Who, when they had examined me, would have let<br />
me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the<br />
Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not<br />
that I had aught to accuse my nation of.<br />
I. Romans in Jerusalem and Caesarea found no cause of death in <strong>Paul</strong><br />
after having examined him and would have set him at liberty.<br />
II. However, the Jews opposed <strong>Paul</strong>’s release making it necessary for<br />
him to appeal to Caesar for justice.<br />
III. <strong>Paul</strong> said he did not appeal to Caesar because he had anything<br />
against the Jewish nation.<br />
A. <strong>Paul</strong> here showed remarkable self-control in that he did not<br />
mention the repeated Jewish attempts to kill him.<br />
B. <strong>Paul</strong> was conciliatory in his talking with these Roman Jews.<br />
C. <strong>Paul</strong>’s hope for Jewish conversion never weakened in spite of<br />
all that they had done to him by way of persecution.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:20, For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you,<br />
and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am<br />
bound with this chain.<br />
I. <strong>Paul</strong> said he had asked to see the Jewish leaders in <strong>Rome</strong>.<br />
II. <strong>Paul</strong> said it was for the hope of Israel that he was then a prisoner in<br />
chains.<br />
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A. The Christian faith was the fulfillment, culmination of all the<br />
nation had looked forward to and hoped for in Old Testament<br />
times.<br />
B. <strong>Paul</strong> in all his speeches and writings pointed to the New<br />
Covenant as the fulfillment, the thing to which the Old<br />
Testament single mindedly pointed.<br />
C. Hope of Israel:<br />
1. <strong>Acts</strong> 23:6, But when <strong>Paul</strong> perceived that the one part were<br />
Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the<br />
council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a<br />
Pharisee; of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am<br />
called in question.<br />
2. <strong>Acts</strong> 24:15, And have hope toward God, which they<br />
themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of<br />
the dead, both of the just and unjust.<br />
3. <strong>Acts</strong> 26:8, 23, Why should it be thought a thing incredible<br />
with you, that God should raise the dead That Christ<br />
should suffer, and that he should be the first that should<br />
rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people,<br />
and to the Gentiles.<br />
III. The chain with which <strong>Paul</strong> was bound was relatively light with one<br />
end being fastened to <strong>Paul</strong>’s arm and one end to the arm of the soldier<br />
guarding him.<br />
A. Soldier guards were normally changed every three or four<br />
hours.<br />
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<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:21, 22, And they said unto him, We neither received letters<br />
out of Judea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came<br />
showed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee<br />
what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that every<br />
where it is spoken against.<br />
I. The leaders of the Roman Jews replied to <strong>Paul</strong>:<br />
A. We have received no harmful, critical word about you from<br />
Judaea by:<br />
1. letter nor<br />
2. emissaries from Judaea.<br />
B. We want to hear from you what you think theologically.<br />
C. We know that this sect you promote is everywhere spoken against.<br />
II. The fact that no Jews came to <strong>Rome</strong> to speak against, prosecute <strong>Paul</strong><br />
was a possible factor that contributed to his anticipated release from<br />
imprisonment. The time was now A.D. 60.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:23, 24, And when they had appointed him a day, there came<br />
many to him into his lodging to whom he expounded and testified<br />
the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of<br />
the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.<br />
And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed<br />
not.<br />
I. When the appointed day came a large number of Jews came to <strong>Paul</strong>’s<br />
lodging.<br />
II. <strong>Paul</strong> expounded all day long to them from the law of Moses and the<br />
prophets about:<br />
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A. the kingdom of God and<br />
B. Jesus.<br />
C. The kingdom of God had been restored to spiritual Israel<br />
through the resurrected Christ!<br />
1. <strong>Acts</strong> 1:6, When they therefore were come together, they<br />
asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore<br />
again the kingdom to Israel<br />
III. Some believed and some disbelieved what <strong>Paul</strong> preached.<br />
A. Isn’t this the way it usually is<br />
B. 2 Corinthians 2:15, 16, For we are unto God a sweet savor of<br />
Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the<br />
one we are the savor of death unto death: and to the other the<br />
savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:25a, And when they agreed not among themselves, they<br />
departed, after that <strong>Paul</strong> had spoken one word,<br />
I. The Jews left, having not agreed among themselves as to whether<br />
what <strong>Paul</strong> said was true, after <strong>Paul</strong> made a final statement.<br />
II. This must have been a heated debate, not just a group of interested<br />
people listening to <strong>Paul</strong> speak all day long.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:25b-27, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet<br />
unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye<br />
shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not<br />
perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears<br />
are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should<br />
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see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with<br />
their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.<br />
I. This one statement was a quotation from Isaiah 6:9, 10.<br />
A. This was spoken by the Holy Spirit through Isaiah unto the<br />
Jewish ancestors, fathers.<br />
II. This same passage was applied to the Jews who rejected his teachings<br />
by Christ as recorded in all four gospels.<br />
A. Matthew 13:14-16, And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of<br />
Esias, which saith, by hearing ye shall hear, and shall not<br />
understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For<br />
this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of<br />
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they<br />
should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should<br />
understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I<br />
should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see and<br />
your ears, for they hear.<br />
B. Mark 4:12, That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and<br />
hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they<br />
should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.<br />
C. Luke 8:10, And he said, Unto you it is given to know the<br />
mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables: that<br />
seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not<br />
understand.<br />
D. John 12:37-41, But though he had done so many miracles before<br />
them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias<br />
the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath<br />
believed our report and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been<br />
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revealed Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias<br />
said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart;<br />
that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with<br />
their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These<br />
things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.<br />
III. Frequently, as in this case, Jews early tended to believe only later to<br />
turn against <strong>Paul</strong> and his message.<br />
A. <strong>Acts</strong> 13:42-48, And when the Jews were gone out of the<br />
synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be<br />
preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation<br />
was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes<br />
followed <strong>Paul</strong> and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded<br />
them to continue in the grace of God. And the next Sabbath day<br />
came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.<br />
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with<br />
envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by<br />
<strong>Paul</strong>, contradicting and blaspheming. Then <strong>Paul</strong> and Barnabas<br />
waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God<br />
should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from<br />
you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we<br />
turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us,<br />
saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou<br />
shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when<br />
the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of<br />
the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.<br />
B. <strong>Acts</strong> 18:5-7, And when Silas and Timotheus were come from<br />
Macedonia, <strong>Paul</strong> was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the<br />
Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed<br />
themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said<br />
unto them, Your blood be upon your own hands; I am clean:<br />
from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. And he departed<br />
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thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus,<br />
one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the<br />
synagogue.<br />
C. <strong>Acts</strong> 19:8-10, And he went into the synagogue, and spake<br />
boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading<br />
the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers<br />
were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way<br />
before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the<br />
disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And<br />
this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which<br />
dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and<br />
Greeks.<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:<strong>28</strong>, Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of<br />
God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.<br />
I. The book of <strong>Acts</strong> of the Apostles ends with the gospel’s being rejected<br />
by the Jews and accepted by Gentiles.<br />
A. <strong>Acts</strong> 13:46, Then <strong>Paul</strong> and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It<br />
was necessary that the word of God should first have been<br />
spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge<br />
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the<br />
Gentiles.<br />
B. Romans 11:26, And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written,<br />
There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away<br />
ungodliness from Jacob:<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:29-<strong>31</strong>, And when he had said these words, the Jews<br />
departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. And <strong>Paul</strong><br />
dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that<br />
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came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching<br />
those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all<br />
confidence, no man forbidding him.<br />
I. <strong>Paul</strong> remained in <strong>Rome</strong> two whole years awaiting trial. (Sometimes<br />
charges were dropped after two years if no one was present before the<br />
court to press charges.)<br />
A. <strong>Paul</strong> was permitted to live in his own rented dwelling during<br />
this period, a distinct kindness and indication that the Romans<br />
did not regard him as a “dangerous criminal.”<br />
1. Where did <strong>Paul</strong> get the money with which to pay his rent<br />
B. <strong>Paul</strong> was permitted to receive any and all visitors indicating the<br />
Romans knew <strong>Paul</strong> was not associated with any “dangerous<br />
criminals.”<br />
II. <strong>Paul</strong> preached boldly without hindrance, without having anyone<br />
trying to kill him:<br />
A. the kingdom of God and<br />
B. the Lord Jesus Christ.<br />
C. <strong>Acts</strong> closes with <strong>Paul</strong> in chains. However, the gospel was not<br />
chained!<br />
1. <strong>Acts</strong> 1:8, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy<br />
Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto<br />
me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria,<br />
and unto the uttermost part of the earth.<br />
III. <strong>Paul</strong>’s teaching in <strong>Rome</strong>:<br />
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A. resulted in converts even in Caesar’s household.<br />
B. Philippians 1:12, But I would ye should understand, brethren, that<br />
the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the<br />
furtherance of the gospel;<br />
IV. During these two years <strong>Paul</strong> wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians<br />
and Philemon.<br />
V. What happened in the life of <strong>Paul</strong> after these two years is difficult to<br />
determine with certainty.<br />
A. Why did Luke not continue the story to the end of <strong>Paul</strong>’s life<br />
B. <strong>Paul</strong> may have been released from prison at the end of these two<br />
years, traveled to preach the gospel, arrested again, returned to<br />
<strong>Rome</strong>, tried and executed.<br />
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Questions<br />
<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:1-<strong>31</strong><br />
1. Was <strong>Paul</strong> guilty of cruelty to an animal when he shook the snake off<br />
his hand into the fire and burned it alive _________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
2. The islanders were prepared, when <strong>Paul</strong> did not die from the snake<br />
bite to believe he was a god. What does this say about their mindset<br />
_____<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
3. Discuss the islanders’ view of divine providence. ________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
4. Should present day “clergymen” help “build fires” or should they only<br />
be honored and served _______________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
5. Who was Publius What did he do for <strong>Paul</strong> What did <strong>Paul</strong> do for<br />
Publius, his family and other islanders __________________________<br />
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__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
6. On how many Alexandrian ships did <strong>Paul</strong> sail on this journey to<br />
<strong>Rome</strong> _________ What do you know about these ships ____________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
7. The ____________ ______________ remained on ______________<br />
for ________________ months. When ______________ was passed the<br />
journey toward ________________ was continued on a ship of<br />
______________ whose sign was ______________ ______________<br />
______________.<br />
8. Julius had planned to winter in _______________, but providence<br />
made a change in the plans. They actually wintered in<br />
______________.<br />
9. Who were The Twin Brothers and what was <strong>Paul</strong>’s feeling about<br />
sailing on a ship with The Twin Brothers as its sign________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
10. List <strong>Paul</strong>’s stops between Malta and <strong>Rome</strong>. Give the significance of<br />
each place. ________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
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11. What is the importance of Puteoli and what happened there ______<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
12. Roman Christians journeyed to The Market of Appius and The Three<br />
Taverns to meet and encourage <strong>Paul</strong>. They were not ashamed of his<br />
chains. How should Christians now treat other Christians who are in<br />
need or trouble Give examples. ________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
13. <strong>Paul</strong> had been almost killed by Jerusalem Jews and was now a<br />
prisoner in <strong>Rome</strong> because of them. Why would <strong>Paul</strong> immediately call<br />
the chief of the Jews to him upon his arrival in <strong>Rome</strong>. He should have<br />
well known they were trouble. _________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
14. List the salient points in <strong>Paul</strong>’s speech to the chief of the Roman<br />
Jews in verses 20-22. ________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
15. What was and is the hope of Israel __________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
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__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
16. Why did the Judaean Jews not send letters and/or representatives to<br />
<strong>Rome</strong> to oppose, prosecute <strong>Paul</strong> _______________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
17. When the Jews came back to hear <strong>Paul</strong> again how long did he<br />
preach, what two major subjects did he address and what was the result<br />
of this teaching meeting _____________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
18. What was the closing statement at the end of this meeting Does this<br />
mean <strong>Paul</strong> finally gave up on trying convert Jews to Christ __________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
19. <strong>Paul</strong> announced, “Be it known therefore unto you, that this<br />
______________ of ______________ is sent unto the ______________.<br />
They will also ______________.”<br />
20. During <strong>Paul</strong>’s two years in <strong>Rome</strong>, verses 29-<strong>31</strong>, what did he do and<br />
what did he write __________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
__________________________________________________________<br />
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