"THE BOOK OF ACTS" From Malta To Rome (28:1-16) INTRODUCTION 1. Following weeks of terrifying sea travel... a. Beginning with contrary winds near the island of Crete - Ac 27:4 b. With difficult winds making progress slow off Cnidus - Ac 27:7 c. Arriving at Fair Havens on Crete with further difficulty - Ac 27:7-8 d. Encountering tempestuous winds off Crete that blew them toward Clauda - Ac 27:13-16 e. Forced to undergird the ship, lightening the ship, throwing tackle overboard - Ac 27:18-19 f. Seeing neither sun nor stars for many days as the storm raged - Ac 27:20 g. Finally nearing land, fearing that they might run aground - Ac 27:27-29 h. Deciding to run the ship onto the beach if possible - Ac 27:39 i. Instead hitting a reef or bar that stuck the bow - Ac 27:41 h. With violent waves breaking up the stern - Ac 27:41 2. They were forced to swim ashore... a. With some on boards, others on parts of the ship - Ac 27:43-44 b. Even so, all 276 souls escaped safely to land - Ac 27:44 [They found themselves on the island of Malta (Ac 28:1), an island 60 miles south of Sicily and on the main route from Myra (Ac 27:5) to Rome. God's providence had actually brought them through the storm and back on course (ESVSB)! Divine providence continued as we continue reading about...] I. THE SOJOURN ON MALTA A. KINDNESS ON THE BEACH... 1. The natives (lit., barbarians, i.e., non-Greeks) showed unusual kindness - Ac 28:2 2. Paul was bit by a viper, but did not die - Ac 28:3-6 a. The natives presumed Paul a murderer b. Despite surviving shipwreck, that justice would not let him live c. When Paul suffered no harm, the natives thought him to be a god - cf. Ac 14:14-15 3. This is an example of Jesus' promise to His disciples a. Made to the seventy following their mission - cf. Lk 10:1, 17-19 b. Made to the apostles when given the Great Commission - cf. Mk 16:15-18 c. Such signs confirmed the words that they preached - Mk 16:19-20; He 2:3-4 B. KINDNESS AT THE ESTATE... 1. A prominent citizen, Publius, entertained them for three days - Ac 28:7 2. When his father lay sick of fever and dysentery, Paul healed him - Ac 28:8 3. This led to many others on the island being healed - Ac 28:9 4. Which led to much honor and provisions for their journey - Ac 28:10 [After three months on the island of Malta (Ac 28:11), the journey continued...] II. THE JOURNEY TO ROME A. BY SHIP... 1. In an Alexandrian ship - Ac 28:11 a. Whose figurehead was the Twin brothers (Castor and Pollux, twin sons of Zeus, who were viewed as gods who protected seamen) - ESVSB b. Which had wintered at the island of Malta 2. Sailing to Syracuse where they stayed three days - Ac 28:12 3. On to Rhegium (the southern tip of Italy), and then the next day to Puteoli - Ac 28:13 4. At Puteoli they found brethren who invited them to stay seven days - Ac 28:14 B. BY FOOT... 1. From Puteoli they headed toward Rome - Ac 28:14 2. When brethren from Rome heard they were coming, they came to meet them - Ac 28:15 a. At Appii Forum (40 miles from Rome) b. At Three Havens (28 miles from Rome) 3. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage - Ac 28:15 4. Finally arriving at Rome - Ac 28:16 a. Where the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard b. While Paul was allowed to dwell by himself with a soldier to guard him CONCLUSION 1. I can only imagine Paul's emotions upon his arrival at Rome... a. An opportunity he had prayed for years earlier - Ro 1:8-12; 15:22-24; Ac 19:21 b. The fulfillment of a promise Jesus and an angel made to him - Ac 23:11; 27:23-24 2. Though it took years and unexpected twists and turns... a. God's providence led him to his destination b. And throughout it all, gave evidence of such Divine providence Similar to stories like that of Joseph and Esther, Paul's life is a reminder that God is good, He watches and provides for His people, though at the time our faith may be tested when it seems that He is not near. May such Biblical accounts encourage us to never lose faith, but to trust in God's providence to lead us through the stormy seas of life to our final destination, the heavenly city that awaits...! "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Ro 8:28Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013
