ACTS SERIES: FINALLY IN ROME – CHAPTER 28

The Word of God given to Paul by an angel came true as all of the two hundred seventy-five men that were in the Alexandrian wheat ship with him were saved after their shipwreck. As some men swam while others held onto a broken piece of the ship, they all made it safely to the shore of Melita.

The people of Melita were hospitable and built a fire for the men to warm themselves from the rain and cold. Helping Paul had gathered sticks and was laying them on the fire when a poisonous snake fastened itself on his hand. Seeing what had happened, the Melitians assumed Paul was guilty of a crime and was being punished. However, when Paul shook the serpent into the fire and continued to live, the people thought that Paul was a god. 

Subsequently, Publius, the chief man on Melita, provided lodging for them for three days. During that time, Paul laid hands and healed Publius’ father, who was severely ill. This caused others on the island to come to Paul and receive their healing, and in turn, they brought gifts to him. After their three-month stay on Melita, they were given provisions for the remainder of their journey on another Alexandrian ship.

The ship sailed from Melita to Syracuse, to Rhegium, and to Puteoli, where they found some believers. Then, as they traveled by road to Rome, encouraging believers who had heard of Paul met him along the way at the Forum of Appius and The Three Taverns.

While the other prisoners were handed to the captain of the guard in Rome, Paul was able to live in a home under the custody of a soldier. Within three days, Paul gathered the leaders of the Jews who were unaware of his contention with the Palestinian Jews and explained why he was imprisoned in Rome. Interested in hearing more about Paul’s mission to the Gentile, they made an appointment and gathered again at Paul’s residence. At that time Paul expounded the Kingdom of God and the gospel message of Jesus in his usual manner from morning to evening. After much debate, with some believing while others did not, Paul sent them off with the words of Isaiah 6:9-10, “Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Additionally, he informed them salvation was also available to the Gentiles, and they, unlike the Jews, would receive it,

The last two verses in the book of Acts describe Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”

I pray that you have read the other twenty- eight blogs on this Acts series. Also, I hope it has enlightened you on the early Christian church, its struggles, and the move of the Holy Spirit as God used men to carry the Gospel first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. As I conclude this Acts series, here are the nuggets I gained from this chapter:

Those who have a servant’s heart will continue to serve no matter the location.

Perils are not limited to one location; they can be experienced on the sea and the land.

When the heat is turned up, snakes will be revealed.

The enemy is relentless in his attempt to destroy you.

Shake off the venomous beast.

God will take care of you.

No weapon attempting to form against you will prosper.

People are watching to see what will befall you.

Circumstances can change assumptions.

Ministry gifts are to serve everyone.

The favor that is extended to you can also bless others.

Heal the sick.

Be grateful for the kindness that is shown to you.

Everyone needs encouragement.

Time is valuable; use it wisely.

Epilogue: While in Rome, Paul wrote Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. Subsequently, commentators report that due to the lack of accusers in Rome, Paul was released after his two-year imprisonment and resumed his missionary journey. Years later, Paul was arrested, and this time, he was found guilty and beheaded in Rome.