Tag Archives: Acts

Acts 28-Paul preaches at Rome

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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. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. 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, Acts 28:23-25

Paul finally arrives in Rome, he called upon the religious leaders to come together so he can teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now Paul assumed the Jews hated him, however they revealed to Paul they had heard nothing about him and they were willing to hear what he had to say. Imagine the big stage Paul is on right now, in the city of Rome preaching the gospel to all the religious leaders of this area

Paul taught them about Jesus through the Old Testament. Now he actually was able to convince some of them, while others rejected the gospel. Paul then quoted Isaiah , who prophecy about this very moment hundred of years before

Saying, Go unto this people, and say, 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. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.  Acts 28:26-28

Paul revealed through the prophet Isaiah, that salvation is going to the Gentiles because of the hardness of the hearts of the Jews. They rejected and killed their own Messiah, so God is building his Kingdom now through the Gentiles! Obviously this was not a message the Jews wanted to hear, or many still today don’t want to hear this message

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. 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. Acts 28:29-31

Paul remained in Rome for 2 more years, preaching the gospel of Christ. Historians believe Paul was eventually beheaded in Rome from Nero. As stated throughout his letters, he fought the good fight and he ran the race! Paul knew eventually his death would come but he willingly accepted this mission as a servant of Christ

This concludes the book of Acts, this book is a great reference on the history and story of The Church. We , as the Church, should learn and remember what our brothers and sisters endured in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen!

Acts 28- Fear No Evil

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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. 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. 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.And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Acts 28:2-5

Paul’s shipwrecked adventure ended on an island called Malta. Here the Islanders that lived there showed the men extraordinary kindness. One night while Paul was creating a fire, a venomous snake bit Paul on the hand. Everyone was expecting Paul to become ill and eventually die, however the venomous snake seemed to have no effect on Paul at all

Secondly the Islanders originally believed Paul was “cursed” because he was struck by the snake. Obviously this was superstition and not practical however the Islanders view of Paul will change once they see he is not effected by the snake. You see God is in control and He wasn’t finished with Paul yet!

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. 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. 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. Acts 28:6-8

No matter where you are, God can use you for his glory. Paul is stranded on an Island and still he’s healing people and sharing the gospel. God can use you also , wherever you are, thats your mission field for the day! 

So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. Acts 28:9-10

Once the other Islanders heard about the healing, then came a revival, people flocked to Paul for a healing. The Islanders got to see the Holy Spirit working, this probably opened the door to many people coming to Christ. Its doesnt say how many people , if any , were saved that day, but we can only imagine with the Holy Spirit working strong there

Paul was literally in the middle of nowhere, yet God led him by the Holy Spirit, and did his will. God can find you and use you wherever you are! Call upon The Lord and you shall be saved Amen!

Acts 27- Calm in the Storm

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But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Acts 27:21-25

Here in Chapter 27 we see Paul being taken to Rome on a ship to see Caesar. Now during the trip, Paul has a prophetic moment and warns them this trip would be dangerous and potentially life threatening. However the pilot and the owner of the ship decided to continue on due to the winter season that was coming. During the trip, as expected , they got caught in a violent storm for days. The passengers all began throwing the cargo overboard to try and prevent from sinking the boat

The passengers haven’t eaten for days and were all worn down by battling the storm for days. However Paul gave them good news. An angel gave Paul a message that nobody would perish during this storm. God reminded Paul he must still stand before Caesar, you see God’s will must be done, God is always in control!

Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island. But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. Acts 27:26-29

I think its interesting in verse 29 , many translations say “they prayed for daylight” rather than wish. Could some of these men have become converted during this storm? Often many of us find God during the worst times in our life, not the easiest time in our life.

And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. Acts 27:35-38

The next interesting thing we see here, is before they ate, Paul blessed the bread and broke it, just like Communion. Were these men now converted and partaking in the Lords Supper? I could be looking to far into this, but its very intriguing for me

Even when your caught in the storm, God is with you! Often times we need to go through the storm to find the Calm in the storm, Jesus Christ! God promised to Paul, that he would be delivered, trust in The Lord and lean not on our own understanding! Jesus is the Calm in the storm, Amen!