# Overview Acts Chapter 28 marks the final chapter of the book of #Acts, detailing the apostle #Paul's journey and ministry. After surviving a shipwreck, Paul and his companions find themselves on the island of #Malta, where they are welcomed by the islanders. A significant event occurs when Paul is bitten by a viper but suffers no harm, leading the natives to regard him as divine. During his stay, Paul heals the father of #Publius, the island's chief official, and many others who are sick, demonstrating the power of #God through miraculous signs. This period on Malta showcases Paul's unwavering faith and the continued spread of the #gospel despite circumstances that could have been discouraging. Paul eventually reaches #Rome, where he is allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him. He calls together the local Jewish leaders to explain his situation and to testify about the #kingdom of God and [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. Some are convinced by his teaching, while others remain skeptical, fulfilling #Isaiah's prophecy about the people's hard-heartedness. Despite mixed receptions, Paul remains steadfast, preaching the gospel boldly and without hindrance for two years. This chapter encapsulates the fulfillment of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]' commission in #Acts1:8, as the message of salvation reaches the heart of the Roman Empire, demonstrating the unstoppable advancement of the Christian mission. ## Theological Insights Acts 28 concludes the journey of the Apostle #Paul and serves as a powerful testament to the faithfulness of God’s promises and the unstoppable nature of the #Gospel. Despite the shipwreck and hardships detailed in this chapter, Paul’s unwavering commitment to his mission reflects God’s providential hand in guiding and protecting His servants. 1. **Fulfillment of God's Promises**: The narrative demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the promise made to Paul that he would testify in #Rome (as seen in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 23|Acts 23:11]]). This underscores the certainty of divine promises and the assurance that God’s purposes will come to pass, irrespective of human obstacles. 2. **Divine Protection and Provision**: Throughout the journey, including the shipwreck on the island of #Malta, Paul experiences divine protection and provision, as seen when he is unharmed by a viper (Acts 28:3-6). This mirrors the promise of protection seen in the Gospels (e.g., [[Mark/Mark Chapter 16|Mark 16:18]]) and highlights God’s power over creation. 3. **The Spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles**: Paul’s ministry in Rome, where he preaches boldly and without hindrance to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 28:30-31), signifies the Gospel’s expansion beyond the confines of #Judaism. This fulfills the mandate of the Great Commission (cf. [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28|Matthew 28:19-20]]) and aligns with the vision of a diverse, global Church. 4. **Jewish Rejection and Gentile Inclusion**: The mixed response from the Jewish leaders in Rome (Acts 28:23-29) reflects the broader pattern seen throughout Acts, where Jewish rejection often leads to the inclusion of the Gentiles. This is consistent with the prophetic words cited by Paul from #Isaiah (cf. [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 6|Isaiah 6:9-10]]) about the hardened hearts of Israel, and the subsequent declaration that salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. 5. **The Kingdom of God**: Paul’s preaching focuses on the Kingdom of God (Acts 28:23, 31), a central theme of his ministry that ties back to Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom (cf. [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 4|Matthew 4:17]], [[Luke/Luke Chapter 17|Luke 17:20-21]]). This emphasis on the Kingdom reiterates the already-but-not-yet aspect of God’s reign, inviting all to enter through faith in [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]]. The chapter, therefore, serves as a fitting conclusion to the Book of Acts, encapsulating the triumph of the Gospel and the ongoing mission of the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to reach the ends of the earth. ## Thematic Connections ### Proclamation of the Gospel to All Nations Acts 28 illustrates the fulfillment of the command given by [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] to His disciples to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth” as seen in [[Acts/Acts Chapter 1|Acts 1:8]]. The chapter shows #Paul continuing to spread the #Gospel even as he reaches #Rome, the heart of the known world. This represents the universal reach of the gospel message, echoing the promises made to #Abraham that through his seed all nations would be blessed ([[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 12|Genesis 12:3]]). ### Divine Protection and Sovereignty Paul's survival from the shipwreck and the viper bite (Acts 28:3-6) underscores the theme of divine protection and sovereignty over circumstances. This echoes other biblical narratives where God protects His servants for the fulfillment of His purposes, such as the deliverance of #Daniel from the lions’ den ([[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 6|Daniel 6]]) and the preservation of #Joseph in Egypt for the salvation of many ([[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 50|Genesis 50:20]]). ### Fulfillment of Prophecy Paul’s arrival in Rome and his opportunity to preach to the Jewish leaders there (Acts 28:17-29) aligns with the prophetic vision of #Isaiah regarding the acceptance of the message by the Gentiles ([[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 6|Isaiah 6:9-10]]). Paul quotes Isaiah in Acts 28:26-27, emphasizing the prophecy's fulfillment in the rejection by some and acceptance by others. ### The Kingdom of God Throughout Acts 28, Paul continues to preach about the #Kingdom of God (Acts 28:23, 31). This theme resonates with Jesus' own ministry, which began with the proclamation of the Kingdom ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 4|Matthew 4:17]]), and connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's reign and the restoration of creation through Christ. ### Jewish and Gentile Reception of the Gospel Acts 28 highlights the differing responses to the gospel between Jews and Gentiles. While some Jews were persuaded, many did not believe, leading Paul to declare that salvation has been sent to the Gentiles (Acts 28:24-28). This reflects the broader pattern seen throughout Acts, where the gospel is first preached to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, echoing the theme of “first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” found in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 1|Romans 1:16]]. ### Perseverance in Ministry Despite being under house arrest, Paul remained active in ministry, “boldly and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31). This theme of perseverance amidst adversity is seen throughout the New Testament, as believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith and witness, as seen in [[2 Timothy/2 Timothy Chapter 4|2 Timothy 4:7]], where Paul speaks of having “fought the good fight.” ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Light to the Gentiles In [[Acts/Acts Chapter 28]], the apostle #Paul's ministry in #Rome signifies the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the #Gospel reaching the #Gentiles. This fulfills the prophecy in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 49|Isaiah 49:6]], where the servant of the Lord is called to be a light to the Gentiles, bringing salvation to the ends of the earth. Paul's preaching in Rome demonstrates the fulfillment of this prophecy, as the message of Jesus reaches the heart of the Roman Empire, symbolizing the Gospel's expansion beyond #Israel to the wider world. ### The Hardening of Hearts Paul’s quoting of [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 6|Isaiah 6:9-10]] in Acts 28:26-27 reminds us of the prophecy concerning the hardening of the hearts of the people. This prophecy is fulfilled as Paul experiences rejection from the Jewish leaders in Rome who refuse to believe the Gospel message. This fulfillment highlights the persistent theme of spiritual blindness and deafness that was prophesied by Isaiah, demonstrating the continued resistance to prophetic messages among the people, even as the Gospel begins to spread among the Gentiles. ### The Salvation through Faith Paul’s declaration that “God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen” (Acts 28:28) resonates with the prophecy in [[Habakkuk/Habakkuk Chapter 2|Habakkuk 2:4]], where the righteous will live by faith. This prophetic theme is brought to fruition as the Gentiles receive the Gospel, emphasizing that salvation is not confined to the Jews but is available to all who believe, fulfilling the prophetic vision of faith as the basis for righteousness and salvation. ### The Unhindered Kingdom The conclusion of Acts in 28:31, where Paul preaches the kingdom of God and teaches about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and without hindrance, aligns with the prophecy in [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 2|Daniel 2:44]] concerning the establishment of God’s everlasting kingdom. This unhindered proclamation of the kingdom signifies the ongoing fulfillment of prophetic promises about the establishment and expansion of God’s divine rule through Jesus, highlighting the unstoppable nature of God’s plan as foretold by the prophets. ## Verses - **Acts 28:1** - "Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta." - **Acts 28:2** - "The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us." - **Acts 28:3** - "As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand." - **Acts 28:4** - "The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, 'A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.'" - **Acts 28:5** - "But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed." - **Acts 28:6** - "The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god." - **Acts 28:7** - "Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days." - **Acts 28:8** - "As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him." - **Acts 28:9** - "Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed." - **Acts 28:10** - "As a result, we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip." - **Acts 28:11** - "It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead." - **Acts 28:12** - "Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days." - **Acts 28:13** - "From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli." - **Acts 28:14** - "There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome." - **Acts 28:15** - "The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God." - **Acts 28:16** - "When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier." - **Acts 28:17** - "Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, 'Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors.'" - **Acts 28:18** - "'The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.'" - **Acts 28:19** - "'But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people.'" - **Acts 28:20** - "'I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted, and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.'" - **Acts 28:21** - "They replied, 'We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here.'" - **Acts 28:22** - "'But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.'" - **Acts 28:23** - "So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening." - **Acts 28:24** - "Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe." - **Acts 28:25** - "And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: 'The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,'" - **Acts 28:26** - "'Go and say to this people: When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.'" - **Acts 28:27** - "'For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.'" - **Acts 28:28** - "'So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.'" - **Acts 28:29** - "And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, greatly disagreeing with each other." - **Acts 28:30** - "For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him," - **Acts 28:31** - "boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him." ### Cross-References by Chapter - **Paul's Journey to Rome** - [[Acts/Acts Chapter 27]] - **Shipwreck and Malta** - [[Acts/Acts Chapter 27]] - **Paul's Preaching** - [[Acts/Acts Chapter 9]], [[Acts/Acts Chapter 13]] - **Prophecy of Isaiah** - [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 6]] - **Salvation for Gentiles** - [[Romans/Romans Chapter 11]], [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 3]]