ACTS LESSON 59


     We will begin this lesson in Acts 28:1 "And when they were
escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita."  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."

     Most anyone, regardless of their culture, would help someone who
was shipwrecked. It was very cold and still pouring down rain.  This
was in the fall when the rain is very cold. These people building a
fire on the bank was a great help to these soaking wet people.

     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."

     Paul always worked wherever he was and whatever he was doing.
This is no exception. Paul gathered dry wood for the fire.  This viper
(snake) which fastened on Paul's hand was a physical snake. The old
devil (serpent) had been trying to destroy Paul this entire trip, but
God has other plans.

     Acts 28:4 "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."

     Barbarians were not believers in God. They were superstitious
people.  They decided because the snake bit Paul, he was a murderer.
This is the attitude of some church people today. Because Satan
attacks a person (from the outside), they say real quickly that he or
she is not of God. That just isn't true.  The closer you walk with God
(like Paul), the more the enemy attacks you.  Satan only fights those
who have taken a firm stand for God. I would be more worried if Satan
were leaving me alone. It might mean that I was not fulfilling God's
will.

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

     Paul was protected by God. This snake could do no harm to Paul.
Just as we are protected from Satan by the blood of Jesus, if we are
true believers.  He can attack us, but he cannot win. God can use this
bad thing and turn it into a blessing.

     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."

    They suddenly realize that Paul is not evil after all.  These
barbarians, as we said before, are superstitious and now they have
decided Paul is a god. They know that they would be dead if the snake
had bitten them, so they know Paul is different and they pronounce him
a god. They will do anything for Paul at this point.

     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."

     Paul would be treated with great respect. He would be housed and
fed the best on the island, as we see in the verse above. He is in
Publius' quarters, the chief man of the island.

     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."

    God is with Paul. If Paul was in good favor with these people
before, now he is in great favor with them. God, through him, has
healed the father of the leader of the land. Now Paul and those with
him will have need for nothing. These people will take care of their
needs.

    Acts 28:9 "So when this was done, others also, which had diseases
in the island, came, and were healed:"

     God is using this to provide for Paul and his companions while
they are on this island. Healing their sick was one of the things the
Lord had told His disciples to do.  Preach the word, heal the sick,
and cast out demons was what the Lord would have those do who
represent him. Paul is doing what the Lord would have him do.

     Acts 28:10 "Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we
departed, they laded [us] with such things as were necessary."

     We see, here, that Paul and his companions were well cared for
while they were on the island, and were sent away with enough to take
care of their needs, until they made it to Rome. They were highly
respected and honored, because of Paul.

     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."

     These superstitious people had the signs of the twin sons of
Jupiter on their ship. They would be setting sail about February or
March.

     Acts 28:12 "And landing at Syracuse, we tarried [there] three
days." Acts 28:13 "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:" Acts 28:14 "Where we found brethren, and were desired
to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome."

     This Puteoli was a place where the ships carrying wheat landed.
It was so wonderful for Paul and his companions to find believers like
themself here at Puteoli. Christianity had already made it's way to
Italy.  What a wonderful surprise. Followers of Jesus here were called
brethren still. They, perhaps, wanted Paul to preach (like a revival),
at any rate, they wanted him there these seven days.  He stayed and
then headed for Rome.

     Acts 28:15 "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."

     Paul was highly thought of among the brethren.  Many of them had
just heard of him and wanted to hear from his own lips the gospel. It
seems word spread fast that he was on his way to Rome, and at every
stop there were brethren who had gathered to meet him. Paul was
greatly encouraged by this and praised God for it.


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                           Acts 59 Questions


1.  What was the name of the island where they were shipwrecked?
2.  What kind of people lived here?
3.  How did they show kindness to the shipwrecked?
4.  When Paul was gathering branches for the fire, what happened to
    him?
5.  What did these natives believe about Paul, when this happened?
6.  They did not believe in God, but said what suffereth him not to
    live?
7.  What did Paul do in verse 5?
8.  These barbarians expected what to happen to Paul?
9.  When it didn't, who did they think Paul to be?
10. Who was the chief man of the island?
11. What relative of his was sick?
12. When Paul entered, what did Paul do as an agent of God?
13. So when this was done, who else came to Paul for help?
14. They honored Paul and his company, and when they left they gave
    them what?
15. Where was the ship from that Paul left in?
16. What sign was on the ship?
17. How long did they stay at Syracuse?
18. What did they purchase at Rhegium?
19. Who did they find at Puteoli?
20. How long did Paul stay with them?
21. Where did Paul and his group leave for then?
22. The word spread that Paul was on his way to Rome.  At every stop
    who met them?
23. What effect did this have on Paul?
24. Who did Paul thank?

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