Welcome to Acts 28

Acts 28, the final chapter of Luke's account, triumphantly culminates the narrative of The Great Commission, demonstrating its unstoppable progress even amidst Paul's imprisonment.

Following the dramatic shipwreck, Paul and all 275 companions safely reach the island of Malta, where they are met with uncommon kindness by the natives. Here, Paul's divine protection is immediately evident when a viper, attracted by the fire, fastens onto his hand. Expecting him to swell up and die, the natives are astonished when Paul simply shakes the snake off into the fire, suffering no ill effects. This miraculous deliverance, a clear display of The Holy Spirit's Role, leads the people to conclude he is a god, and later to revere him. Paul then heals Publius's father of fever and dysentery, and subsequently many other sick islanders, resulting in the locals greatly honoring and providing for them. This period on Malta showcases the continued power of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel through signs and wonders, even in unexpected detours.

After three months on Malta, Paul and his companions resume their journey on an Alexandrian ship. Their voyage takes them through Syracuse and Rhegium, finally arriving at Puteoli, where they find Christian brethren who persuade them to stay for seven days. This brief fellowship underscores the burgeoning Christian network across the Roman Empire. From there, they proceed overland, with believers from Rome meeting them at the Forum of Appius and Three Inns, a moving testament to the expanding reach of The Great Commission and Paul's existing reputation. Finally, Paul reaches Rome, the heart of the empire, where he is granted the privilege of living under house arrest with a soldier guarding him, rather than being confined to a typical prison. This arrival fulfills the Lord's earlier promise to Paul (Acts 23:11), a clear Prophecy Fulfillment.

Within three days of his arrival, Paul, ever focused on The Great Commission, summons the leading men of the Roman Jews. He explains his situation, clarifying that he was delivered to Rome not for any offense against Jewish Law or customs, but due to the "hope of Israel" – the resurrection. He appeals to their shared heritage and the promises of Prophecy Fulfillment. A meeting is set, where Paul for an entire day explains and solemnly testifies about the kingdom of God, seeking to persuade them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. As with much of his ministry, the response is mixed: some are persuaded by his words, while others disbelieve, illustrating the persistent Christianity Accepted and Opposed the Gospel encounters. Paul concludes this meeting with a final, somber word of Prophecy Fulfillment from Isaiah 6:9-10, regarding Israel's spiritual blindness.

The book of Acts concludes with Paul remaining in his own rented quarters in Rome for two full years, receiving all who came to him. During this period, under constant Roman guard but otherwise unhindered, he boldly proclaims the kingdom of God and teaches about the Lord Jesus Christ "with all openness, unhindered" (Acts 28:31). This powerful and open-ended conclusion deliberately emphasizes that no earthly power, no imprisonment, and no opposition could stop the advance of God's Word. The Gospel, empowered by The Holy Spirit's Role, has reached the center of the world. Acts closes not with Paul's death, but with his vibrant, unrestricted ministry, signaling that the Great Commission continues beyond the book's pages, truly Connecting Acts to the Rest of the NT and empowering believers through all generations to carry the message forward.