Tuesday: In Malta
It was only upon reaching the shore that the survivors learned they were in Malta, a small island in the center of the Mediterranean, just south of Sicily. In the two weeks they had been adrift in the sea, yielded to the force of the wind, they had covered about four hundred seventy-five miles since Fair Havens, in Crete. Now they would have to wait out the three months of winter before continuing their journey (Acts 28:11).
Read Acts 28:1-10. What happened to Paul on the island of Malta, and how was God able to use him?
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The people of Malta were very friendly and hospitable, and their first action toward Paul and his group, who were all wet and cold, was to light a fire to warm them up; the temperature in Malta at this time of the year would not be higher than about 50°F or 10°C.
The incident of the snake drew the people’s attention to Paul. At first, the local pagans viewed the fact that he was bitten as an act of divine retribution. They thought Paul was a murderer who had managed to escape from death by drowning but was still caught by the gods, or perhaps the Greek goddess Dike, the personification of justice and vengeance. Because the apostle did not die, he was hailed as a god, as had happened in Lystra several years before (Acts 14:8-18). Though Luke does not dwell on the episode, it is probably safe to assume that Paul took advantage of this situation to bear witness of the God he served.
Publius was either the Roman procurator of Malta or just a local dignitary, but he welcomed Paul and his companions for three days until they found a more permanent place to stay. At any rate, the healing of this man’s father gave Paul the opportunity to engage in a sort of healing ministry among the Maltese people.
In Luke’s account, there is no mention of a single convert or of any congregation Paul left behind when he departed from Malta. Such omission might be entirely coincidental, but it illustrates the fact that our mission in the world goes beyond baptisms or church planting; it also involves concern for people and their needs. This is the practical aspect of the gospel (Acts 20:35; compare with Titus 3:14).
| How fascinating that these islanders, who were ignorant about God’s law, had a sense of divine justice. Where, ultimately, did that come from? See Rom. 1:18-20. |
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What a blessing to once again study the book of Acts. This time there were gems and insights that made me see how God uses those in the world to further His work. Luke doesn't record statistic in Malta but the seed was sown and surely took root and produced a harvest. During my years in the Church organization it bothered me about the emphasis placed on numbers and statistics. Our Savior knows His children... numbers manipulated by a dwindling few to dupe the Conference into keeping a church building in the hands of a minority group doesn't count - only souls do. Only in heaven the true records are held and Paul and you and I have to keep sowing the seeds. It took me 30 years before I really really 'got the message'. The last 20 years have been a shift from 'going through the motions' to a daily walk with the King! And what a blessing it has been. It's time to walk the walk and talk the talk so that our family and friends will want to join us and speak up for us - even in the face of rejection by our own people for speaking like Paul. Satan is reaping... We need to hang in and pray for our young people as never before.
Yes. Sometimes we are so much into our own culture that our vision of the "great picture" disappears. God has always a broader way to do things. Who would think about China, for example, opening its doors to the Gospel? Christianity's early influence on China goes back to the 7th century! While countries around the world today are looking for open economies and globalisation in order to grow the Good News can also be spread.
After the internet, everything changed! This is another example about how I basically consider myself a member of this very sabbath school class right here, once during regular worship services I teach children and miss the discussions with "grown ups"...
As we worry about being with Jesus and letting Him change what we have inside, we are helping to spread His love!
In the name of commerce trade, men are opening their culture to expand! And this is connecting us all more and more! I'm sure this is part of the preparation for Jesus's second coming! To labor right, what we need to do is just to entirely give our hearts to Him everyday.
We are living in a racially charged society, Most universities promote globalization but there are some that dislike the word globalization or diversity. I hope I’m not the only one that noticed, the world is becoming small, people go to and fro and nations are becoming more connected technologically, politically and economically (hopefully spiritually too) . This in itself are preparing the human race to be accepting with one another, the children of God should remove xenophobia and must let themselves be used with each other regardless of their race. Revelation 7:9 “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”
Revelation 7:9 KJV
AMEN! But not just YOUNG PEOPLE. OLD PEOPLE need Jesus too. Gospel Ministry is for ALL AGES!
"when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks" who is this gathering a bundle of sticks? Is he not the apostle who did more work than all the others? Is he not the Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee who the highpriest could not face without a lawyer? Is he not the man whom govenor Felix wanted to get money from, whom governor Fetus said had great learning,who almost made king Agripa a Christian? Is he not the one who was visited by Jesus in the prison and the angel in the ship? Yet he is gathering firewood in Malta. Paul's servant heart was always evident. What about us?
How interesting to once again see Paul's humility - although he was an Apostle, who was trusted with the Word of God for the people - he didn't sit back and wait to be served - but joined in with the others to collect wood for the fire.
What do we understand from Paul saying lives will be lost in Acts 27:10 and then the Angel saying no lives will be lost to Paul in Acts 27:22 - was Paul speaking by the Spirit or himself in verse 10, or did God change his mind and send a message by the Angel in verse 22?
Act 27:8 And coasting along with difficulty, we came to a place named Fair Havens, near which was a city, Lasea.
Act 27:9 And much time having been used up, and the voyage already being dangerous, because the Fast was now already past, Paul warned them,
Act 27:10 saying, Men, I perceive that this voyage is about to be with much harm and loss, and not only much cargo and of the ship, but also of our souls.
Act 27:11 But the centurion was rather persuaded by the helmsman and the shipmaster, than by the things spoken by Paul.
ct 27:21 But there being much fasting, then standing up in their midst, Paul said, O men, being obedient to me you ought not to have set sail from Crete, and to have come by this harm and loss.
Act 27:22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there will be no casting away of life among you, only of the ship.
Act 27:23 For tonight an angel of God stood beside me, whose I am and whom I serve,
Act 27:24 saying, Fear not, Paul! You must stand before Caesar. And behold! God has given you all those who sail with you.
Act 27:25 Therefore, men, be of good cheer, for I believe God, that it will be so, according to the way it was told me.
Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks
No job was meaningless for Paul
One moment bitten by the snake he was considered a murderer when he did not die he became a god.
It shows how undependable the opinions of the people.
Our anchor must be on Christ alone.
Who is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.
Every given opportunity, Paul would preach the gospel, why did he not preach the gospel?
“Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”
How are you witnessing the gospel?
What have you done for the gospel?
When speaking of the Holy Spirit's role, Jesus taught that the Spirit would "convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment". So we can understand that these people on Malta understood the difference between good and evil, and the principle of accountability. While many might mingle superstitions with their understanding, the work of the Holy Spirit is faithfully carried forward in all the world.
As for Paul's labors there, we have only what is made clear in God's word. If we study the messages from inspired counsel to the church, we would understand it is better to not begin a work that cannot be finished. Paul was on his way to Rome as a prisoner, thus establishing a self-sustained work in the brief time allowed would not be possible. Consider how long he labored in areas where he had established churches, while often others remained behind to continue the work that had begun. The Holy Spirit was leading Paul, and may have closed the door to any real labors there due to the briefness of their stay, yet Paul did good among the inhabitants while there. His freedom to stay and do a thorough work had been taken from him and his destination was Rome according to the heavenly vision.
Paul's brief labors there may have helped prepare the soil for a more thorough work by others who would go there at a later time. Eternity will reveal the fruits of every laborer in the Lord's Vineyard.