Acts Chapter 28 1~~And when they were completely rescued, then they perceived with complete accuracy that the island was called Malta. 2~~And the barbarous people {not wild - they spoke a different language} showed us an unusual kindness {great kindness}. For they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. {Note: Very kind, moral unbelievers. They could have tried to salvage the cargo and ignored the passengers as some would have, but instead they ignored potential booty and helped the people.} 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 had a good strike and held on to his hand. {Note: Most people in a shipwreck are in shock. Paul is cool and calm. He is helping the rescuers gather wood for the fire. It was winter and the snake is hibernating. But he is not going to stay in the fire so he bites Paul and holds on as a viper would attack its prey. A Viper strikes and shoots very poisonous venom into its prey. One that has been in hibernation has stored up a great amount of poison and is very lethal.} 4~~And when the barbarians saw the venomous dangerous animal keep on being suspended from his hand, they kept on saying face to face with themselves, "We are very sure this man keeps on being a murderer {literally means one who murders for fun!}, whom, though he has escaped out from the sea, yet THE justice would not permit him to live {self righteous judging}." {Note: Big point here. The 'kind' people immediately judge and malign Paul who has just been helping them in the rescue. Paul is a victim here of BOTH a snakebite to his body and a maligning sin aimed at his soul.} 5~~And he shook off {the viper AND the maligning} the beast into the fire, and suffered nothing evil {from either form of venom}. {Note: Paul knows what they are saying but ignores their maligning. He is in the hands of the Lord. The maligning is God's issue not his.} 6~~Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly. But after they had stared a great while, and saw nothing out of place coming to him, they changed their minds and they kept on saying that he kept on being a god! {Note: Without the stability of doctrine, these people keep jumping to WRONG conclusions! First they said Paul was a murderer and surely deserved to die . . . since he did NOT die, now they conclude he is a god - also WRONG!} {Note: God used miracles at this time to concentrate attention of a crowd to present the gospel. Paul will start a great church here on Malta.} 7~~In the same vicinity were the estates that which belonged to the Protos {the title for the head of a Roman Island Possession - highest ruler of the island} of the island, whose name was Publius . . . who received us royally and graciously, and lodged us three days courteously. 8~~And it happened {according to God's plan}, that the father of Publius lay sick in great pain and dying of a fever {burning up} and of dysentery {literally - unlucky intestines} to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and miraculously and instantly healed him. {Note: The Greek word here is 'iaomai', which means this was a miraculous healing.} 9~~So when this came to pass, others also which kept on having and holding all kinds of diseases in the island, kept coming face to face, and kept on being medically healed. {Note: The Greek word used this time is 'therapeuo'. This is NOT the word for a miracle. It is the word for medical treatment. Luke is a medical doctor so he must be treating the people now.} {This winter in Malta was almost a 3 month relaxed vacation for Paul} 10~~Who also honored us with many honors {valuable things - material and immaterial things - love, companionship, etc.}. And when we departed, they did laden us with the things for our needs. 11~~And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle . . . whose name was Castor and Pollux. {Note: on the bow was the picture of the two mythical sons of Zeus. In place of the name was the picture of the twins.} 12~~And landing at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13~~And from there we had to go around {not a straight course}, and came to Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli {in the Bay of Naples}. {Note: Because of the weather they had to wait at Rhegium until they got a South wind.} 14~~Where we found brethren, and were desired to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. {Note: Of course the centurion must have agreed to this.} 15~~ And from thence, when the brethren heard concerning us, they came to meet us as far as the forum {marketplace} of Appii {famous road} and The Three Taverns {a town} . . . whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and seized courage. {Note: Paul had to have been depressed. This Greek word 'lambano' is used for seized and when used with courage, connotes to go from depression to courage}. 16~~And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the General of the Praetorian guard . . . but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with a soldier that guarded him. {Note: The centurion must have made a good report on all that Paul did. And, the General rewarded Paul's efforts as he saw on behalf of Rome.} {Paul's meeting with the Jews in Rome} 17~~And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together {Most prominent Jews}. And when they were come together, he kept on communicating to them, "Men and brethren {by race}, though I have committed nothing against the people {Jewish Race}, 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." {Note: The Romans found him not guilty of breaking Roman Law.} 19~~"But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal unto Caesar . . . not that I had anything to accuse my nation of." {Paul is saying he is a Patriot and is not anti-Jew.} 20~~"For this cause therefore have I called to assembly, to level with you, and to speak with you face to face . . . because it is for the confidence of Israel I am bound with this chain." {Note: Perikeimai is reverse imagery - 'bound' means literally 'I lie around the chain!' instead of the reverse. Greek method to demonstrate strength of character. He is a prisoner of the Lord only!} 21~~And they said unto him, "We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning you, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spoke any harm of you." {Note: Paul arrived first from the Middle East. These Jews say they knew nothing of him good or bad.} 22~~"But we think it proper or fitting to hear of you what you think and your opinion is. For as concerning this faction {Christianity} . . . it is known that every where, it is spoken against." {Note: These Jews call Christianity a faction. They know little about it except all they have heard is negative.} 23~~And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging . . . to whom he explained objectively {to clearly delineate} and gave a solemn warning with regard to the kingdom of God, persuading them, based on the content of the information, concerning The Jesus . . . both out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets {Jesus Christ is taught throughout the Old Testament} . . . from morning till evening. 24~~And some began to receive belief {to be persuaded based on information} of the things which were spoken . . . and some refused to believe {their own decision}. 25~~And when they disagreed face to face with themselves {Gospel is a divider of People}, they departed. After that Paul had spoken one more word {passage}, "Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Isaiah the prophet face to face to our fathers." 26~~"Saying, 'Go unto this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear {the gospel}, and shall not understand . . . and seeing you shall see, and not perceive.' " {Isaiah 6: 9-10} 27~~"For the heart {mind} of this people is oozing fat {derogatory word came from athletics -can not perform - here means people are weak in the mind}, and their ears are dull of hearing {do not listen to doctrine} and their eyes have they closed lest they should see with their eyes {God's plan and grace go unseen}, and hear with their ears, and understand, and their heart should be turned back and I should restore them." {Hear doctrine and save the nation} 28~~"Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation belonging to God is sent into action by means of the Gentiles, and that they will hear it." {Note: Isaiah's warning to the Jews was that they are going down under the 5th cycle of discipline and the dispensation will change. In the Church Age, Gentile Nations will be client nations to God. Gentiles will hear the word, respond positively, and go out and evangelize the world in gentile languages.} 29~~{Note: not in the original.} 30-31~~And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received favorably from the ultimate source of himself all that came in face to face to him . . . 31~~ preaching {emphasis on authority} the kingdom of God, and teaching {emphasis on content} those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence . . . no man forbidding him. {Note: Paul is now shifting gears. He is beginning his great ministry to the gentiles.} ************************************************** Joshua_Sozo™ and Syndein ™ are the Trademarks of Syndein a California DBA of Kenneth Sidley & Associates, Inc., a California Corporation. All rights reserved. Copyright© Syndein 1982-2010. All rights reserved. This page is sponsored by Kenneth Sidley, CPA, an Orange County California CPA (949) 706-3133. 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