The Deity, The Healing, The Opposition
Upon being brought aboard land safely, they found that the island was called Malta. The native people there were very kind to Paul and his group. There was a moment when Paul had been bitten by a snake and did not become ill or have anything bad happen to him. The native people initially thought Paul was evil because he had been bitten, but since nothing bad happened after the snake bite, they considered him a God (Acts 28:1-6). And then we see Paul heal the chief man on the island and get honored for his actions (Acts 28:7-10). It's kind of interesting how in one moment people can perceive you one way and then praise you the next.
Upon arriving in Rome, Paul began to defend himself again pleading his case of innocence. But this time instead of being opposed, they met him with chances for open discussion. They said that there have been no letters from Judea and no one traveling with Paul had anything negative to say about him. They set up a day for Paul to speak and share the gospel and that he did (Acts 28:17-23). Some were convinced by what he said while others opposed (verse 24), but he was allowed to do so without any pressure from the Pharisees (verse 31).
PLEASE
SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK,
PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Paul is Spared
In Acts 23:1-5, we see Paul get punched while being held down. The command to punch him came from the High Priest Ananias. Paul's response was an insult to whoever commanded the punch, but according to Exodus 22:28, Paul was wrong to insult a ruler of people.
Then in Acts 23:6-11, Paul knows that the Sadducees and the Pharisees were divided on their stance of Paul's innocence and guilt, he lets the crowds know that he is a Pharisee. Because he believed in the resurrection of Christ (the dead being a risen is believed possible by Pharisees and not Sadducees), then he aligns himself with the Pharisees saying that he is one of them. The disagreements became violent and in order to keep Paul from being harmed he was moved. The next night he was told by God “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome (Acts 23:11).”
There was a plot to kill Paul and the Jews made an oath to not eat or drink until Paul was dead. Paul's nephew (his sister's son) found out about this and told Paul who had his nephew taken by the centurion to tell the tribune of what was waiting for him. Paul was then sent to Felix the Governor. A letter was accompanied with Paul and those he was sent with explaining Paul's situation including his possible innocence (Acts 23:28-30). After the arrival, Felix decided not to charge Paul with anything until the accusers arrived and he could hear them out.
I learned from Paul's trials that when you are led by the Holy Spirit, keep going. I see Paul as an example of courage in the Spirit of God to keep pressing on even when it seems hopeless. I see God's hand guiding Paul the whole way. Have you ever taken the time to look back at life and see where God's hand was guiding you in accordance with the Bible?
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
Paul Speaks and Meets with the Roman Council
Paul retells his story of how he came to Christ and how he had been the one responsible for the death of Stephen. He retells how he was blinded and his sight was returned to him. Paul's baptism is believed to have happened shortly there after due to verse 16 and from there he would spread the word to the Gentiles. That further upset the Jews who did not think Gentiles were worthy of having Salvation.
When he was done speaking they still wanted to have Paul killed. And when they took Paul away to be scourged (whipped to death or even being crippled- just like Jesus was before his crucifixion). Paul then asks them if it is proper to scourge a Roman citizen without due process. The custom was not to even bind a Roman citizen without due process but they had done just that. After Paul tells them that he was born in Rome which makes him a citizen by birth and not by purchase (verses 27-28) they cannot scourge him. The next day he was unbound and brought before the council. Chapter 23 tells us more. We will be back tomorrow for that.
PLEASE SEE THE LOGOS AND LINKS BELOW TO SHARE VIA EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST AND GOOGLE PLUS. THANKS!
