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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