Acts 28
1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
After shipwrecking, they find out the name of the island is called Melita. People of Phoenician decent occupy this island.
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.
Very kind people, they got right to work helping with their needs. The people of the island were called "barbarous people" only because they didn't speak Greek. Barbarous = βάρβαρος bárbaros, bar'-bar-os; of uncertain derivation; a foreigner (i.e. non-Greek):—barbarian(-rous). Used by the Greeks of any foreigner ignorant of the Greek language, whether mental or moral, with the added notion after the Persian war, of rudeness and brutality. The word is used in the New Testament without the idea of reproachfulness.
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.
Paul didn't know it, but the wood he gathered had a poisonous snake in it. When he put in on the fire, it came out of the heat and attached its fangs to 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 Phoenician see Paul as one that got what was coming to him.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
What else would you do when the serpent bites you? You shake it off and go about doing The Lords work. Although it literally happened, this was a symbolic act for you and I. The "serpent" of course is one of satans names and represented as an act of his in the garden.
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.
Paul just went from a murderer to a god in the eyes of the Phoenician decedents.
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.
Paul lodges with Publius, the governor of the island for three days.
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.
9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
Some see a shipwreck as something destructive and devastating to those involved, but those of Christ are always can do people under any circumstance. Our Father made sure they had everything they needed and He made sure His will would be done. The Holy Spirit was with Paul and the others on that ship and The Holy Spirit used Paul to heal those in need.
10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
Paul and the others were on the way to Rome when they had become shipwrecked on the island. When they had lost everything, those grateful and giving people of Malta replaced all their needs. Make no mistake, our Father was making sure those of good heart would be around when needed for His children to get things they needed. Because of our Father, they show up in my life whenever this Ministry is in need or when my family is in need.
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
A ship with the names of Greek mythology written on its bow. It has written the two sons of Zeus, "Castor and Pollux" regarded as the deities of sailors, this ship would be the third ship Paul has been on since leaving Caesarea. And here we see the number three for the second time. 3 in Biblical Numerics is Resurrection, Divine Completeness and Perfection.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
The third time we see 3.
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.
Paul rest with like mined Christians for 7 days. 7 in Biblical Numerics = Spiritual Completeness.
15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
People heard about Paul and the others being somewhat close by, so many made the trip to go see him. Here we see 3 for the forth time. 4 = Creation and world or earth. Three taverns was around 53 miles from Rome and Appii around 43 miles from Rome.
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 goes home with the centurion Julius, the rest of the prisoners with the captain of the guard.
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.
These where probably real Jews of the tribe of Judah and not kenites,
because of the fact they didn't have any evil motives of murdering Paul. This
is the fitth and last time in this Chapter we see the number three.
5 in Biblical Numerics = Grace or God's Goodness.
18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
They didn't see any actions worthy of death.
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.
Paul was a Roman citizen and because of his trial, he was forced to appeal to Caesar to save his life.
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.
He was bound in those chains for the opportunity to give them The Gospel of Christ.
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.
They weren't told of the things that were happening to Paul and the others because they are the real Jews, not the fakes. The kenites had withheld the fact they're trying to murder the followers of Christ.
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.
These Jews in Rome have heard about the Christians, none of it good and they want to know what Paul thinks about them.
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 is preaching 24/7 The Old Testament to those who came to listen, while he's lodging as a prisoner in the centurion Julius's home.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
Nothing new about that even in the world today. You could teach 100 people The Truth and one or two will take it in and be saved by The Gospel, the others will run and some will even attack you because you're giving them The Way to life everlasting. Isaiah 6:9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit 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:
As in Isaiah 6:9, Paul is telling them, many will hear The Word and not understand it, many will see the events foretold in The Word but not perceive what they're seeing as from The Word.
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.
It's by CHOICE people close their ears to The Truth, it's by CHOICE people ignore what they see what is truly going on. It's by CHOICE people close their minds from The Truth of God. It's by CHOICE they refuse Christ Jesus and ALL HIS WORD. Bits and pieces won't bring you to The Truth. We have most churches feeding crumbs to the people and because the "pastors" won't teach Chapter for Chapter and verse by verse and because each individual won't give God time in His letter to them, The Bible, people will be mislead and people will starve. Amos 8:11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: It's up to you today. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
These Jews heard what Paul has been saying and although they may ignore those words, the world will hear The Word and many will accept The Word offered to them through Christ Jesus Yashuah, our salvation. †
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
Everyone should go think on what they hear from any source. You should go and think on it, study it, pray on it. They're taking everything into consideration and by what Paul said in verse 26 Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive ... this would really make some think.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
Still in the centurion house, Paul continued for two years preaching The Word of God to everyone that wanted to hear.
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.