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Paul Arrives In Rome Acts 28:1-31 - Bible Study Workshop

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1<br />

<strong>Paul</strong> <strong>Arrives</strong> <strong>In</strong> <strong>Rome</strong><br />

<strong>Acts</strong> <strong>28</strong>:1-<strong>31</strong><br />

Landmark Publications, <strong>In</strong>c., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.


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2<br />

<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 />

Landmark Publications, <strong>In</strong>c., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.


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3<br />

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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4<br />

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 />

Landmark Publications, <strong>In</strong>c., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.


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5<br />

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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6<br />

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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7<br />

<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 />

Landmark Publications, <strong>In</strong>c., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.


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8<br />

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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9<br />

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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10<br />

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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11<br />

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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12<br />

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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13<br />

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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14<br />

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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15<br />

<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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16<br />

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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17<br />

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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18<br />

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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19<br />

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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21<br />

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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22<br />

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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23<br />

__________________________________________________________<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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24<br />

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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25<br />

__________________________________________________________<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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