There is No Final Chapter of the Book of Acts
Acts 28:1-31
December 18, 2022
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church, Ballincollig, Cork, Ireland
I. Background (Acts 5:42)
A. This year has been the year of motion – of Christians getting active and in motion with the Gospel that still changes lives!
B. Our memory verse for the year has been Acts 5:42… “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
C. We started in Acts Chapter 1, with Jesus back alive from the grave, and promising to return again soon
D. And a small group of about 120 believers, gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem in chapter 2, praying and waiting for the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit of God to indwell them, and use them to turn this world upside down in just one generation!
E. And turn it upside down they did…
1. From Jerusalem, to Judaea, into Samaria
2. And then Ethiopia, and Ceserea, and Antioch, and modern Turkey
3. And then into Macedonia, and Corinth, and Athens and all Greece
4. And through troubles, and persecutions and impossible obstacles, they overcame
5. And the Gospel message was preached, and taught and explained, and believed
6. All the way to Rome!
7. And it happened in less than 10 years from the crucifixion
8. Without armies, without politics, without money, or power
9. Just heart, and courage to tell the world, that Jesus saves!
F. We left off last week in Acts chapter 27, with the Apostle Paul and 275 other SOULS shipwrecked, on an unknown island, after surviving a two week long hurricane in the Mediterranean Sea.
G. Let’s see how this book in our Bible, written by Luke, ends
H. And let’s see if we might could add our own chapter to it, almost 2,000 years later!
II. Message
A. Ashore on Melita / Malta (Acts 28:1,2)
1. Acts 28:1,2 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
2. The storm was continuing – locked in place over the Mediterranean sea
3. The “barbarous people” welcomed us all, drenched and shivering
a. Barbarous people? Didn’t speak Latin, or Greek
b. Foreigners to Paul, and all the men on that boat
4. Kindness can come from anybody
5. Make sure it comes from YOU, dear Christian!
B. What to Do When a Viper Bites? (Acts 28:3-6)
1. Acts 28:3,4 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
2. The Bite…
a. A viper is a fast striking venomous snake – very deadly
b. It’s bite causes extreme pain, then shock, and then after just a few hours, certain death
3. The Conclusion
a. The people thought fate / karma had caught up with him
b. Paul probably still was in chains
c. Paul must be a murderer – many of the criminals from the shipwreck were accused of murder, so Paul must just be one of them
d. All cultures believe in some kind of ultimate justice
4. And yet what did Paul do? He shook it off!
a. Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
b. What made the difference?
1) Firstly, Paul had an ATTITUDE
a) He was not going to allow that snake to stay on him
b) He did not let it hold onto him
c) Most of us would do the same – except when it comes to emotional hurts
2) Secondly, Paul ACTED - He cast that viper into the roaring fire
c. And he just smiled and waited along with everyone else to see what would happen
d. And nothing happened – he didn’t die
e. Everyone now imagined Paul was a super-hero (from murderer to demigod)
1) Acts 28:6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
2) Big eyes staring at him
5. Four Principles of Demonic Hurts:
a. You cannot control life! The attack came out of nowhere – unexpected
1) Paul is helpless
2) No doctor could help him
3) Panic won’t help
4) Neither will getting upset with the situation
b. Trust that GOD is in control. The only thing for a Christian to do is to Trust in the Lord and the promises of God, and then rest – wait for His will to be done
1) How do you do that?
2) You pray and ask God to help you – believing He can do anything
a) Mark 16:17,18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
3) Believe that God will do the right thing – what He thinks is best
4) And then go ahead and sing and thank God because He will always do the right thing
5) That was Paul’s normal approach to every hard thing he faced
c. And then, shake it off – we would say, “Move On!”
1) Whatever has stabbed you to the heart
2) Whatever has offended you
3) Whatever has hurt you
4) Whatever Satan has thrown at you, and tried to enslave you to…
5) Shake it off – do not let it stay in your heart, or thoughts – throw it out!
d. And then throw it back to hell where the hurt came from – don’t keep it around
1) Don’t let it continue to hurt you and hold onto you
2) Bury it under the blood of Jesus Christ
3) Nail that viper and all its venom to the cross
4) And walk away by faith, free, and clear from its grip!
5) And maybe, probably, most likely, no harm will come to you!
e. Just know, if you let that hurt, than past experience hold onto your heart, it will win
f. If you are saved, you don’t have to let it win
g. You can, by the grace of God, shake it off
C. The Healing of Publius’ Father (Acts 28:7-10)
1. In the midst of everything that was happening… Paul noticed someone needed help
2. Publius was chief of the island – the prime minister of the island (Acts 28:7)
a. Acts 28:7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
b. A nice guy – accepted the 280 men as refugees from the storm
c. Lodged them – showed kindness
3. Had a very sick father (Acts 28:8)
4. Paul cared for, and healed him – an accused criminal, praying over this old man
a. Act 28:8 And it came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
b. Fever, and a bloody flow – flux - Dysentery
c. He was in agony
d. Paul approached the father and just healed him – remember, Paul was an apostle!
5. That act of kindness attracted hundreds of sick people to come get healed (Acts 28:9) So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
6. All the people honoured Paul and his men, because they were a blessing to them (Acts 28:10) Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. [RESUPPLIED THE LOSSES OF THE SHIPWRECK]
7. THE ISLAND WAS NEVER THE SAME. Publius became the first PASTOR of Malta
D. On to Rome (Acts 28:11-16)
1. Stayed 3 months in Malta – it is now January / February (Acts 28:11) And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
2. Then made their way to Italy (Acts 28:12-15)
a. Acts 28:12-15 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
b. Boarded a ship that had travelled from Alexandria, Egypt, heading for Rome
c. Travelled to Syracus
d. Then to Rhegium
e. Then to Puteoli – found Christians! Stayed a week there
f. Christians from all over came to meet Paul at Appii forum – greatly encouraged him!
g. “And so we went towards Rome!” (Acts 28:14)
h. He kept going forward – with courage, confidence, joy, determination, in the will of God
3. Arriving in Rome (Acts 28:16)
a. Acts 28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
b. God had kept His promise – to get Paul to Rome! And He will get you where He wants you too!
c. Imagine what Paul saw! Probably his first time being in such a massive, wealthy, powerful city with over 1 million people living in that massive city!
E. Final Defence (Acts 28:17-20)
1. To the Jews (Acts 28:17)
a. Acts 28:17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
b. He couldn’t go anywhere, so he had people come to him!
c. Called for the Jewish leaders to meet with him
2. I am Innocent – they cannot prove their case (Acts 28:17-19) And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
3. All For the Hope of Israel (Acts 28:20)
a. Acts 28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
b. Why was Paul persuing this high court case? Why keep going?
1) To wake up the people of Israel
2) To remind them of their one great hope
a) The hope of an eternal kingdom
b) And of everlasting LIFE!
c) All because of the death, burial and resurrection of their own Messiah, Jesus
c. Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
d. Acts 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
e. Acts 26:6,7 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
F. Unaware, but Interested (Acts 28:21-24)
1. “We Will Hear About this Sect” (Acts 28:21-24) – open-minded
a. Paul was not as famous as Jesus was (Acts 28:21,22) And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
b. But he spoke much about Jesus
c. Acts 28:22-24 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
2. Paul preached and taught as best as he could
a. Probably borrowed all the scrolls of Scripture that he could from a local synagogue, and had then spread all over a table, surrounded by skeptical Jews
b. He Expounded – explaining every word, connecting every thought, answering every question
c. And Testified – gave his own personal testimony – of a changed life, of what Jesus had taught him
d. Always Persuading, convincing, urging the Jews to repent and believe the Gospel!
e. All from the words of Scripture – from the entire Old Testament – it all pointed to Jesus being the Messiah!
f. This was no passive exercise – Paul urged them to repent and believe on Jesus!
g. It was an all-day session! As long as it took!
3. Some Rejected Jesus, and Some Believed (Acts 28:24-27)
a. Acts 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
b. That is free-will
c. Just know this… Your eternity rests on how you respond to the Gospel of Jesus – not on your good works
d. Do you realise what makes a person a Christian?
e. Christ does! Nothing else
f. You can look at me and see many faults and failures…
g. But my life does NOT determine of I am a child of God – Jesus IN me does!
h. And there was a time and a place that I asked Him in – 15 June, 1980
G. Now, This was not what the Jews were supposed to do!
1. All Israel SHALL be saved – God promised they as a nation will ALL be saved one day!
a. Isaiah 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
b. Jeremiah 23:5,6 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
c. Romans 11:26,27 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
d. Just like the Passover saved ALL of Israel
e. Just the God saved all Israel at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:30) Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
2. Yet the majority of Israel remained stubborn, and closed minded, and unbelieving
3. It was very grieving to Paul – he wanted ALL of his people to be saved!
a. Romans 10:1,2 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
b. But they constantly rejected their own Scriptures!
c. Acts 28:25-27 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
H. So, Salvation is Sent to Us Gentiles (Acts 28:28-30) – of all people, we can get it now!
1. The overall rejection by the Jews meant Gentiles get the “promise” of salvation now
2. Acts 28:28,29 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.
3. EXAMPLE: Offering a gift envelop to someone in your family, and they looking down on it, and rejecting it. So, you just give it away to just anybody you meet!!!
4. What a gift – SALVATION – offered to us gentiles (non-Jews, pagans, heathen, sinners)
5. And some of US want it!
6. But know this, when the irish reject it, the Gospel moves on, and goes where it IS wanted
7. That’s why we need to keep praying for Ireland
I. The End that Wasn’t an Ending! (Acts 28:30,31)
1. Acts 28:30,31 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
2. And that is it. That is how the Book ends…
3. It did not end with, “And they lived happily ever after”
4. Or… “And so, it was time to slow down and relax, and retire”
5. History says that Paul was brought before Caesar Nero, and lost his case and was beheaded
6. But that is not how the Holy Spirit wanted to end this Book in the Bible
7. No!
8. It ends with Paul continuing to preach, and staying in motion – always active – our example
a. Even though imprisoned
b. In chains
c. In bad health
d. Not so many friends
e. In a foreign land
f. Hunted and hated by so many of his own countrymen
g. Tired
h. And… he… just… kept… going!
9. And the last chapter of Acts… does not end!
10. Because it can’t end! Not until Jesus comes back!
11. We can write a new chapter – every Bible believing, Bible preaching can! If we WANT to!
III. Conclusion
A. Truly this has been a study of Christianity in Motion
B. Not just sitting in some church… but:
1. Praying
2. Soul-winning
3. Preaching, Teaching, discipling
4. Gathering together daily and weekly as a church
5. Taking care of one another
6. Enduring persecutions
7. Living holy – haven’t we finally realised just how important this is, with all the scandals in churches everywhere? A real church is alive and active and on the move!
C. All for what? For YOU!
1. The very same Gospel of Jesus that Paul preached spread throughout the world
2. From the resurrection of Jesus Christ, through the pouring out of the Holy Spirit of God onto the apostles in the Upper Room, to thousands getting saved and baptized, to the Ethiopian Eunuch getting saved and baptized, and then Cornelius, then Saul of Tarsus, and churches being planted all across the Middle East, and into Turkey, and Greece and Italy….
3. It saved me when I heard it, and brought me here to Ireland… for you
D. Where will it go next?