Acts 28 Arrival in Rome

Complete dark (20) 14 nights (27) 276 people Struck sandbar Saved by the Centurion

Shipwrecked Island of Malta, off the coast of Sicily

Shipwreck on Malta (28:1)

Shipwrecked Islanders (2) (barbaros) Islanders showed unusual kindness (philanthropy)

Snakebite! While gathering wood (3) Bitten by viper No poisonous snakes on Malta today!

Snakebite! Murderer! (4) A god! (6)

Excursus: Problem of Evil Job & Habakkuk Luke 13:1-5 John 9:1-3 What did I do to deserve this?

Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good. ♫ ♫ Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I must have done something good.

When it comes to the problem of evil, we may be closer to the islanders on Malta than we at first think.

Winter on Malta Healed all the sick people on the island (9) Stayed 3 winter months (11)

So we came to Rome (14) Brethren met him Forum of Appius (40 miles south of Rome) Three Taverns (30 miles south of Rome)

Paul in Chains Lived by himself in his own rented apartment (16, 30) A soldier to guard him (16) Probably chained in 4-hour shifts

Meeting with Jews in Rome I have done nothing against our people (17) Handed over to the Romans (paradidōmi)

Meeting with Jews in Rome The Jews had received no word on Paul (21) Rome was typical of the Jewish response – mixed

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 28:30-31)

Luke does not tell us the result of Paul’s trial before Caesar. ? Luke does not tell us the result of Paul’s trial before Caesar.

During the 2 years in Rome Paul wrote the 4 Prison Epistles

During the 2 years in Rome Paul wrote the 4 Prison Epistles Ephesians Philippians Colossians Philemon

Perhaps a circular letter, sent to churches throughout Asia Ephesians Perhaps a circular letter, sent to churches throughout Asia The “whole armor of God” is the response to the “spiritual forces of evil” (6:10-18).

Response to spiritual confusion – lift up Christ (1:15-20) Colossians Sent to a church Paul hadn’t visited – started during his ministry in Ephesus Response to spiritual confusion – lift up Christ (1:15-20)

A church that had a special 10-year relationship with Paul Philippians A church that had a special 10-year relationship with Paul Financially supported Paul Letter deals with how to unite in the face of conflict (4:2)

Name of a Christian slave owner in the Colossian church Philemon Name of a Christian slave owner in the Colossian church Written on behalf of Philemon’s slave, Onesimus Very public, private letter

Acts 28 Arrival in Rome