Acts, Chapter 28 - Safe at Malta

Acts, Chapter 28 -  Safe at Malta

28 When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.

-          When they had been brought safely through

o   Through the storm

-          Then we found out that the island was called Malta

o   Malta means “honey”; “land of honey” (another name for the promised land)

-          The natives showed us extraordinary kindness

o   Extraordinary means beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly exceptional; remarkable (this is what the promised land will make you feel too)

-          For because of the rain that had set in (water)

-          And become of the cold (cold temperatures)

-          They kindled a fire (fire)

-          And received us all (not some)

o   John the Baptist said the one comes after me will baptize you in fire

o   Water is used to cleanses sin; fire is used to judge (it’s final)

 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

-          But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire

o   Notice Paul was to keep the fire going

-          A viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand

o   Notice Paul’s hand was pierced by the viper (another name for snake)

o   It was meant to harm or kill him

-          When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand

o   Notice they are using their eyes and logic (not the Spirit)

-          However he shook the creature off into the fire and no harm

o   Notice the snake went back into the fire (to burn up)

-          But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead

o   But after they had waited a long time and seen nothing unusual happen to him

o   Notice they go from the physical, carnal, logical mind to the spiritual

o   This is showing us that God’s power is greater than the serpent (the devil)

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.

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