Snake in the Fire
Acts 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
Melita or Malta, meaning refuge.
A place of refuge in a storm, is this not our Lord?
Psa 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
Psa 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
Psa 62:6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
Psa 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
The island had a port for receiving ships, but the storm had blown the ship to the backside of the island.
Acts 28:2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
The barbarous people, a people of a primitive way of life with their own language; simple and untaught. Nonetheless they showed hospitality, preparing the cold and wet refugees a fire to warm themselves.
Acts 28:3 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.
Paul with a servants heart helps gather sticks for the fire, when a snake came out of the fire and fastened his teeth on his hand. Certain snakes have venom, a poison that is released with the bite. Often it is enough to kill a person.
Acts 28:4 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.
The natives knew the snake to be a poisonous one, so they reasoned to each other that Paul was receiving justice. A better translation for God's vengeance, would be God's justice. The natives knew that a murderer deserved death, they assumed that Paul was being justly punished, being with other prisoners, he might have been a murderer. But, with God we cannot be so sure about the outcome when trouble strikes. Trouble often comes at unexpected times, but we are God's children, he will turn bad things to good for his glory. He never leaves us.
Their response was like the Jews who thought bad things only happened to bad people. As the story of Jesus healing the blind man illustrates.
John 9:1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
John 9:3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Have bad things happened to you? Give God the glory, he is using you to glorify himself. See what God has done? I once was bound but now I am free. Praise our Lord and Savior! Use me Lord for your glory!
Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
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.
This brought everyone's focus on Paul. Out of almost 300 people, and many natives, now all were aware of Paul. What satan meant for evil, God meant for good.
Paul was not harmed, the ignorant natives, just like the proud Greeks who were known for their great wisdom, called Paul a god.
Acts 14:11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
Acts 14:12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Acts 14:13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Acts 14:14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
Acts 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Phil 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Phil 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
The Lord Jesus had spoken these words;
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mark 16:18 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.
The Lord's witnesses will have God with them. No harm shall come until all He has given them to do is accomplished. But, use wisdom, do not tempt God, as do the snake handling cults.
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.
Native hospitality, his own people refused him and his witness, Publius, saw God's hand on Paul. He gave lodging to Paul, Luke and Aristarchus, who were friends.
Acts 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.
Publius' father was sick of a fever and dysentery, a bowel ailment. Paul talked to God about this, then he laid his hands on him and he was healed. Was Paul's calling to heal? Actually he was called to deliver the gospel, with signs following. You can be sure that the natives heard the gospel of Jesus', death, burial and resurrection. Which is the greatest gift? Is it not proclaiming the gospel in a way that it can be understood?
Acts 28:9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
As Jesus, so did Paul draw crowds by healings. Jesus preached to those who would here, as did Paul.
Acts 28:10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
The people provided Paul with his necessities for the journey. He received honor, out of respect. Paul, as the channel of blessings, was in turn blessed. Often those who preach for free find it hard to receive, others think it is only God's blessings, while still others, as Balaam, preach for profit, making money the focus.
Phil 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Paul desired gain;
1 Cor 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1 Cor 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1 Cor 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1 Cor 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1 Cor 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Italy and the Saints
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.
It was three months until it was safe to navigate. Their ship had figureheads, statues in the front of the ship pointing forward, of the twin brothers of Zeus, two pagan patron gods.
patron gods and patron saints
It appears that Catholic tradition has made their saints, also objects of prayer for blessings.
Can. 1186 To foster the sanctification of the people of God, the Church commends to the special and filial veneration of Christ's faithful the Blessed Mary ever-Virgin, the Mother of God, whom Christ constituted the Mother of all. The Church also promotes the true and authentic cult of the other Saints, by whose example the faithful are edified and by whose intercession they are supported.
I counted 5980 saints on one sight, that people trust in for different favors, St. Christopher, the saint for travelers, Matthew the former tax collector, the patron saint for accountants. The list continues. This is not far from the Greeks trusting in their idols and gods. It is not found in the Bible that we should do this. I would caution our Catholic brethren about traditions that are not supported by the Bible. Let us pray to God the Father and God the Son, through the Holy Ghost.
Who then is there to protect us?
It is God who protects his children and guides their lives.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psa 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
1 Pet 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
He also sends angels to minister unto us, guardian angels if you wish to use that term. Jesus is greater then the angels. We should not seek to see angels, nor do we pray to angels.
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Do we worship angels? No, they are creations, we worship the creator, not the creation. Note also that they are spirits. If we seek angels, and follow angels, we are following spirits and some are following satan.
Acts 28:12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
Syracuse was the chief city of the Island of Sicily off the Italian coast.
Acts 28:13 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:
Now where is that compass? No, they circled around and came to Puteoli, the principal port of Southern Italy.
Acts 28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
There were Christian brothers in Southern Italy that welcomed Paul. These are the saints of God, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Moses was the first to mention saints, as a people favored by God.
Deu 33:1 And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
Deu 33:2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.
Deu 33:3 Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.
They were those who the Lord loved, they were in His hand and protection, they sat at the feet of God and everyone received his word. This is a good description of a disciple; loved, received in Christ, in His presence and learning his word.
Acts 28:15 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.
Christians from Rome, travelled 43 miles to meet Paul, who had written them the famous Epistle to the Romans. He wrote Romans, probably when in Corinth, two years before coming to Rome.
The epistle was to introduce himself to the church in Rome. This epistle is the most detailed explanation of the doctrines of the Christian faith. It covers among many things; righteousness, faith, justification, law and grace. Some of my favorite verses are:
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
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.
The prisoners were delivered to the captain of the guard. God had another purpose for Paul, he would be chained to a soldier under house arrest. The soldiers would come in shifts, taking turns guarding Paul, and no doubt learned about the Way of life, who was the captive? Paul had the words of life and freedom. In this way the gospel reached to the palace of Caesar.
Phil 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Phil 1:13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
We are to minister where we are. As the song,"Brighten the corner where you are." Everywhere we go is an opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Gary
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