The book of Acts has gone very quickly, here we go Acts 28 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 28:1] And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
This is proven to be Malta of today.
Acts 28:2] And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
Showed us great kindness.
Acts 28:3] And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
[4] And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
These barbarians were a little full of superstition. Paul helped saved 276 souls, and for that they call him a murderer?
Acts 28:5] And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
This should remind you whenever Gods elect do good, Satan (the serpent) will be there to try you.
Acts 28:6] Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
Again, they are full of superstition.
Acts 28:7] In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
Publius means popular.
Acts 28:8] And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
Let this be a test. Who healed him? God through Paul healed him.
Acts 28:9] So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
[10] Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
Made sure they had what provisions they needed.
Acts 28:11] And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
[12] And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
[13] And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
[14] Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
After having his brothers in Christ for moral support, they then went to Rome.
Acts 15] And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
[16] And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
Paul given different treatment than a common criminal. Paul was not a criminal.
Acts 28:17] And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
[18] Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
They found I was innocent of all charges.
Acts 28:19] But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
The Kenites made the accusations.
Acts 28:20] For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
[21] And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.
This is the reason they never heard of the trial of Paul, there were no Kenites in Rome. For you see, in Rome they thought religion was a superstition. And where there is no power to be gained, then there are no Kenites.
Acts 28:22] But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
This sect is Christianity, and they heard nothing good about it because it was hidden from them.
Acts 28:23] And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
Paul worked from morning to night teaching the word of God.
Acts 28:24] And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
Some would hear the Word, and some would not hear. Notice that they didn’t get violent with him.
Acts 28:25] And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
[26] Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
[27] 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.
Where is this said by Isaiah? Let’s go to Isa. 6:8-10 and read.
Isa.6:8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
[9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
[10] Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
Always read what was quoted from the scriptures, it will always give you credibility and show thyself approved. Back to Acts and verse 28 reads.
Acts 28:28] Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Again, the two houses are divided until this day. Talking about the house of Judah and the house of Israel, the Christian nations of today. Though we are ally’s and brothers today, we are still separated.
Acts 28:29] And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
[30] And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
[31] Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Here is where Paul would write much of the New Testament we have today. He taught and reasoned with many people about how Christ was written much in the Old Testament, for he was a scholar of the law and the prophets. We must also know these works and teach them also. A well mastered book beginning with Jesus ascending back to the Father to Paul testifying in Rome. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible