Page 135 - Acts Student Textbook

This event had the characteristics of all Bible miraculous healings. It was clear the man was sick and
clear that he was healed in a way impossible by natural law. The purpose was to provide evidence
that the man through whom the miracle occurred was from God, so the people would believe his
message.

Other people from the island then brought their sick people, and Paul was enabled to heal them also.
As a result, many honors were given to the visitors; and when they left the island, they were
provided what they needed by the islanders. We are not told whether or not these events resulted in
conversions and establishment of a church among these islanders. Nevertheless, an opportunity to
teach clearly was provided and Paul used it. The islanders were kind and friendly to those who had
been shipwrecked, yet they themselves received even greater blessings as a result of the shipwreck.

How different was the journey from Malta to Puteoli? (28:11, 14)

After three months on the island, Paul and the whole group left with
another ship from Alexandria. Having left Malta, they sailed first to
Syracuse (see map). They spent three days there. They sailed from there
to Rhegium (see map). Then a wind from the south blew. This is the first
mention of a favorable wind on the whole journey! This took them the
next day to Puteoli (see map). Here they found Christians and stayed with
them seven days. Here Pratte notes that “It is almost incredible that
Christians were found nearly everywhere they journeyed. We are not told
who established the church here, but we do know that churches already existed in Italy since Paul
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had earlier written a letter to the saints in Rome.”

What was the arrival in Rome like? (28:15, 16)

Brethren in Rome heard that Paul was about to arrive, so they went south to meet Paul as he
traveled. They met at Appii Forum (market place) and Three Inns (see map). These are two separate
places, so presumably two groups had set forth and met the company at two different places. On
seeing the brethren, Paul was encouraged and gave thanks to God. Here Pratte makes a very
interesting comment, “Paul had shown great courage and faith throughout a very trying and
dangerous journey, yet he was human and needed encouragement too. This demonstrates the
blessing Christians can provide for one another just by showing how they care. Often people are
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discouraged by their circumstances, and just knowing that brethren care can be a major help.” On
entering Rome itself, Paul and the other prisoners were delivered to the captain of the guard. But
Paul was granted special privileges and was allowed to live by himself guarded only by a soldier. This
treatment may have resulted from the information in Festus’ letter and from the favorable report
that the centurion Julius would have given for Paul’s conduct on the trip. So, in a way completely
unexpected by Paul, God kept His promise that Paul would visit Rome. And Paul was enabled to fulfill
his long held desire to visit the capital city of the empire and encourage the Christians there.

God’s Son proclaimed (28:17-31)

What did Paul consider priority when he reached Rome? (28:17-20)

Paul had been imprisoned at the demand of Jews in Jerusalem who made accusations against him. As
a result of those charges, he had been taken to Rome as a prisoner. Not knowing what the Jews in
Rome thought about him or the charges against him, he decided to take the initiative and contact

93 Pratte, (p. 389).
94 Ibid, (p. 390).
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