Acts 28:1-10 :41-44 • “…The ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there …” “The Island of the Barbarians” ACTS 27:44—28:2 • “on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety. Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called . The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.” (NIV)

“The Island of the Barbarians” Acts 28:1-3a PAUL’S JOURNEY TO

“The Island of the Barbarians” THE ISLAND OF MALTA

“The Island of the Barbarians” ISLANDERS/NATIVES (barbaros) • Word from which we get our word “barbarian.” • Did not mean savage, primitive, or unsophisticated, but simply referred to people who did not speak Latin or Greek. • An onomatopoetic word (bar-bar-bar).

“The Island of the Barbarians” UNUSUAL “KINDNESS” (philanthrōpia) • Word from which we get our word “philanthropy.” • A love for humanity, hospitality, generosity. • Note all the different words for kindness in this passage. –Unusual kindness, welcomed us, invited us, entertained us, showed hospitality, furnished us, honored us.

“The Island of the Barbarians” Acts 28:3-6 ACTS 28:3-6 • “Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, ‘This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.’ But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a …” “The Island of the Barbarians” ACTS 28:6 • “long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.” (NIV)

“The Island of the Barbarians” ANSWERING OBJECTIONS • It was winter. • The area is not known for its snakes. • Vipers don’t normally bite and hold on.

“The Island of the Barbarians” Acts 28:7-10 ACTS 28:7-10 • “There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.” (NIV)

“The Island of the Barbarians” TWO WORDS FOR CURED • Healed (iaomai)—to heal or completely restore. • Cured (therapeuo)—to care for or serve. Word from which we get “therapeutic.”

“The Island of the Barbarians” APPLICATION • The gospel message went forward in spite of (or because of) prison, a shipwreck, and a snakebite.

“The Island of the Barbarians” APPLICATION • The gospel message went forward in spite of (or because of) prison, a shipwreck, and a snakebite. • Paul does not take a break from the gospel. We don’t find him at the beach, but opening a medical clinic.

“The Island of the Barbarians” APPLICATION • The gospel message went forward in spite of (or because of) prison, a shipwreck, and a snakebite. • Paul does not take a break from the gospel. We find him not at the beach, but opening a medical clinic. • God takes a terrible situation in Paul’s life and brings good from it (:28).

“The Island of the Barbarians” “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Rom 8:28)