Today is our last chapter with Paul in Acts! This was a long book but a great story! Tomorrow we begin Romans...the book that follows Acts in the Bible.
The ship has been destroyed and the men all wash up to shore. The land mass they are on is Malta (the name Malta means "refuge", a very fitting name!). Paul is bitten by a snake (some translations name it as a viper) , and it doesn't seem to phase him as he just shakes it off (v 3)! The native population, however, looks at the incident as Justice rearing its head and finally getting rid of the prisoner! They even go to the extent of calling him a god, since he didn't die. There must have been some super-power that he possessed after not being killed by a viper bite! Look at it from their perspective- Paul had survived a harrowing storm at sea and then was bitten by a viper and didn't die. He must be great! He has to be a god!
New story (v 7)! Publius' father was sick with some disease. Many think he was sick with Malta fever, a disease people would get from drinking infected goat milk. Symptoms lasted usually 4 months or so and people would eventually get well. Paul prayed and he was healed, but also remember that Luke was with them, so possibly medical intervention was also helpful? Side note about Publius...he converted to Christianity (possibly as a result of this healing) and was the first Bishop of Malta. He is credited with converting the entire island of Malta to Christianity- the first nation in the west to become Christian. His feast date is January 22 in the Roman Catholic Church.
Paul and the others finally leave Malta now that winter is over and seas are more safe for sailing (v 11). They slowly make their way northward up the Italian peninsula. Paul finally gets to Rome; his letter to the Romans arrived a few years before, so they already knew something about Paul and were excited to finally meet him. Some Romans came out as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns (towns that are about 30 miles from Rome) to greet Paul and then escort him back to Rome; treatment like this was usually reserved for emperors and dignitaries!
Paul enters Rome, a city of about 2 million people (half slaves, half free). Rome had been around for about 800 years at this time; the Coliseum was probably not yet built, but the temples for Jupiter and Mars were prominent. Paul is set to house arrest, always having a soldier chained to him.
As per usual, Paul calls the Jewish leaders to meet and greet (as he always does in every town he enters, v 16). Paul recounts his trial and accusations and then the trip to Rome, but the Jewish leaders have heard nothing (v 21); however, they are interested in hearing what Paul has to say about "this religious group."
The day came for an extensive Bible study on the Hebrew scriptures and how they pointed to Christ (v 23). Paul probably taught as Jesus would have taught- talking about a spiritual kingdom (although the people wanted a new political kingdom). And as per usual, some agreed with Paul and some left in anger (v 24- 25)!
Paul then hammers them with "their hardness of heats" as spoken about by Isaiah (v 26+). Probably not the best way to gain friends! I feel that Paul really preaches these words from Isaiah and there is pain in his heart if even one person turns away from believing in Jesus. Then his "go-to" statement: God is even for the Gentiles- and they will listen! No wonder the Jews really didn't like him too much!
Paul was in Rome for two years before his case even came up! Several commentaries mention how back-logged the courts in Rome were (similar to today's courts?). He lived in a rented home (v 30) so it is evident that he had a job or some other means of getting money; he supported himself during this time. It was also during this time he wrote letter to the Ephesians, the Colossians, and the Philippians. An uneventful end to Paul's story! We are not really sure why Luke stops here and doesn't mention the trial and death of Paul in Acts!
Not written in Acts- but historically- Paul eventually was tried before Nero and found not guilty. He was released and stayed in Rome for another few years. It was then that he was arrested (again). This time he was found guilty and sentenced to execution. Tradition says that Paul was beheaded late May- early June 68AD. Nero committed suicide in early June 68AD (after Paul's execution).
Tomorrow we begin Romans. I will post an introduction to Romans later today (I hope)!
Enjoy the beautiful day we are going to have before the cold and snow returns!!
Shalom+
Pastor Paul
What a story! Now Paul is bitten by a viper and has no reaction. Another way for people to see that he is indeed a chosen person. Later he heals people and always preaches. Paul has endured being arrested, being not believed, a shipwreck, a snake bite and so much more and yet he remains steadfast. He thanks God and continues to tell people the Good News.
ReplyDeleteI often wish that things could be good or happy for a while but just like everyone else the good is mixed with troubles. I need to strive to be more like Paul and stay positive through it all.
Enjoy the snow flakes- we may not see them again for a long time. 😉
Well I did not know Paul's fate. I purposely did not look ahead even though Donna had committed poor Paul when he reaches Rome. After such commitment and struggles I had a feeling it was not going to end well. While reading Acts I often thought of the book Unbroken. It is a true story of an airmen who'd boomer crashes into the Pacific during
DeleteWW II. His will to live and go on is unimaginable. As we all keep saying of Paul and his faith. I really enjoyed Acts and learning about Paul.
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DeleteCindy, sorry if I spoiled something for you - I can't remember what I commented on - but sorry. I read Unbroken - it was an amazing story. I did not see the movie when it came out because movies are different then the books and I loved the book!
DeleteCathy- Even with all the things Paul went through= he always seems to praise and thank God. Most of us certainly do not do that! Little things go on in our life and we complain and blame!
DeleteWe can strive to be better- but its hard!
Wow what a life Paul lived from his start with persecuting the believers to the himself believing in Jesus and himself being persecuting. He continued whit his journeys of missionary works and finally ended up in Rome God saw him thru many life threatening events to the last we just read of being bitten by a viper and surviving . God was with him the whole way and he never stopped believing that God would take care of him. If only I could have the faith that Paul had that God would always be there. Altho I know that God is always there I often times fail in keeping the faith.
ReplyDeletePaul continues even tho under house arrest in Rome to spread the Word. My Bible says that Paul after being found not guilty in Rome at this time may go on even into Spain to spread the Good News The story stops at the end of this chapter so we don't know what happens to Paul but he has accomplished his Mission to bringing the Word to the Romans Jews and Gentiles
Paul's life continues for a short while. He is found not guilty and travels more to spread God's message.
DeleteHe ultimately is arrested again (surprise!), tried, and found guilty. He is eventually executed (beheaded) by Nero. His life was a success though!
Thanks Clara!
Just a note - in Paul's time water depth was measured by a rope with knots tied in it - the knots were tied a fathom or six feet apart - depending on where the water came on the rope (determined by where the water was wet). Sorry, sometimes I have tidbits of information that comes in use - smile.
ReplyDeleteI do have a question about this reading. In my translation - the KJV - in vs. 18 and vs. 19 it seems like Paul is saying that he would have been let go because there was no cause for death - vs. 18 " Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me." And then Paul says that because the Jews spoke against him going free he was forced to appeal to go to Cesar. vs. 19 - "But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cesar, not that I had ought to accuse my nation of" Now, I thought that Paul appealed to Cesar so that he would get to Rome as God had told Paul he wanted him to go. That both God and Paul used this incident as a means to get him there to speak to Nero and other Jews and Gentiles. You, Pastor, alluded to this in your comments. But these two versus makes it seem like it was almost an accident that Paul appealed to Nero. It was only because of the outspokenness of the Jews. Your thoughts????
I do wonder why it was so difficult for the Jews to make the phantom leap from what Moses and the prophets said to Jesus being the Son of God. Especially since Paul makes it so clear that they need give up nothing - that Paul himself follows all the rituals and laws of the Jewish faith - just adding Jesus Christ and the Last Supper.
I do have a number of books on Paul - some I bought from churches who had book sales so they are pretty old. If anyone would like to borrow one, please let me know and I will be happy to mail it to you to read!!
Jack, we had a problem with a light at our church today and we wondered if you would please come back and fix it (smile) We miss you and Rhea!! We are supposed to get snow tomorrow - you will feel right at home!
Looking forward to Romans
Thanks for the rope depth note- useless knowledge comes in handy at times! I am full of it- useless knowledge that is!
DeleteHmmm...you ask a tough question for vv 18-19. There was no evidence against Paul, however the Jews were upset- especially at the invitation to the Gentiles. So they pushed and pushed for him to be guilty. Paul said, "Let me go to Rome and we can let Nero decide." (My translation of the events). So, did God push the Jews to harass Paul enough to say those words; did God "suggest" to Paul to say those words; did Paul remember God saying to go to Rome and use those words to eventually get there? So, can I say it was a God-accident?! I know you won't like this answer! ;) But you know me!
I think one of the largest stumbling blocks for the Jews was the acceptance of Gentiles. For generations, the Jews and Gentiles never got along unless that had to. And also, for generations they practiced the rituals- that don't necessarily have to go (as Paul illustrates). It would be hard for Jews to "change" their theology. They were monotheistic- God was God- could God have a counterpart?
That light always gives us problems!
And the lawn needs to be cut soon Jack!
Good thoughts Donna!
Donna, Pat M has a bunch of jobs for me, including cutting the grass next December. I'll fix the light when I cut the grass in December . We watch a replay of the service every week on Facebook. The service in on at 7AM Sunday morning, so we don't catch it live. We are there in spirit if not in person. We are going to the First United Methodist Church here in Great Falls and the service is at 9:30 AM (Mountain Time). I like the early services. It is supposed to snow here on Thursday.
ReplyDeleteCindy, I am so happy that you are recovering and getting good reports from your doctor.
Paul finally makes it to Rome, but in this chapter he doesn't meet with Nero. Nero sounds like quite a character. Maybe he should be in the Congress, or, maybe, president. He must have been quite adept with his dagger.
Paul's trip to Rome was quite interesting, with him being bitten by a snake. Our translation, the NIV, specifically called it a viper. When Paul didn't die and, in fact, showed no ill affects of the bite, the others were taken aback and thought he must be a god (little "g"). He then went and cured several people who were sick, thus helping his cause. He was under house arrest in Rome, but it didn't seem to slow him down as far as I could see. He was amazing with his drive and tireless preaching of the Good News against all odds, and there were plenty!
It looks to me that the Jews were angry with Paul for including Gentiles in Christianity. Are these Jews in Rome, or back in Jerusalem?
"Unbroken" sounds like a good book. I'll have to look for it at the library. There is a really nice library here in Great Falls.
Nero was an interesting guy. I took a class at Cornell (as a challenge from an ex-girlfriend- story to come someday if you ask!); the class was called "The Roman Experience" and it was about Rome from its origin to its demise. Great class. There were many "interesting" emperors!
ReplyDeleteRe: the viper- remember the Moses story about snakes (Numbers 21)? I wonder if Luke and this Acts story is related to that one??
Paul's drive to spread the gospel was tireless and constant! He never let anything stop him!
Correct- I think the biggest stumbling block for Jews was the invitation to the Gentiles to join the "chosen people" and it was Jews all over that were not in favor of the Gentiles. Some were ok in accepting us, but many were not- especially in the upper administration!
I just added "Unbroken" to my library list. I recently received a library card- and love it! I have done so much reading lately!
Great comments and thoughts Jack- thanks!