Acts 28:1-30 NIV
Paul Ashore on Malta
1Once safely on shore, we found out that the
island was called Malta. 2The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and
welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he
put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his
hand. 4When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they
said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from
the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and
suffered no ill effects. 6The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but
after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they
changed their minds and said he was a god.
7There was an estate nearby that belonged to
Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and
showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8His father was sick in bed, suffering from
fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his
hands on him and healed him. 9When this had happened, the rest of the sick
on the island came and were cured.10They honored us in many ways; and when we were
ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.
Paul’s Arrival at Rome
11After three months we put out to sea in a ship
that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead
of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three
days. 13From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the
south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14There we found some brothers and sisters who
invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15The brothers and sisters there had heard that
we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three
Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live
by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard
17Three days later he called together the local
Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,
although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our
ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18They examined me and wanted to release me,
because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make
an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my
own people. 20For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is
because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
21They replied, “We have not received any
letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from
there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22But we want to hear what your views are, for
we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
23They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day,
and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed
to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and
from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about
Jesus. 24Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not
believe. 25They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul
had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors
when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
26“ ‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
27For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
28“Therefore I want you to know that God’s
salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29]b
30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his
own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him.
31
He proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus
Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
It was
about 62 A.D. when Paul arrived in Rome and the Acts of the Apostles
discontinues right here.
But
there is no end to the story, because the history
of the church continues this story on and on through the centuries. Trusting in
Jesus, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of the Father,
the Word of God will continue to spread without hindrance and continue to
change lives for the glory of God.
The Book of Acts – His Story
really is a never-ending story and will be so until the Lord Jesus, our King
come again to rule the earth.
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