Lesson 411

(Lesson 411)(09-30-12) Acts Chapter 28, "And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the c And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appiiforum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

The lesson contained in this final chapter of Acts reveals some information that is seldom heard in the today's "churches".

One the final leg of his harrowing trip to Rome, Paul comes to and island called Malita where he encounters a tribal people. There he was bitten, and unhurt, by a poisonous snake which he threw into the fire. Paul also, through the power of the Holy Ghost, healed the father of the chief.

The people Melita thought Paul was a God and gave much help to Paul and his traveling party.

From Melita, Paul was finally delivered to Rome where he called together the Jews from Jerusalem and convinced them of his innocence.

Much of the time and passion of today's Christianity, promotes the premise established in one verse within the New Testament. That verse being, Hebrews 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

The common idea, in modern Christianity, that every member should be inside "the church (building)" every time the doors swing, is predicated on this verse alone. To those who limit their "worship" to, and so vehemently endorse this notion, I recommend a very close examination of what Paul did during his tenure in Rome.

"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

Paul did NOT "go to church". The Apostle Paul, the unchallenged greatest evangelist of all time, while in Rome, stayed in his home and preached the gospel to those who came to him. Remember, John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." Those, in Rome, who were in need of the gospel were drawn to Paul by the Holy Spirit of God. There is no indication that Paul preached to the same people weekly, daily, or on any other established schedule.

NOTE: It is NOT my intention to discourage anyone from faithfully attending Christian gatherings, nor is it my intent to justify the actions of those who NEVER assemble with their Christian brethren. Paul's "hired house" could, conceivably, be called a "church". In writing this, I'm simply trying to press the point that Christian worship and instruction, is not scripturally restricted to the "church" (building).

As is so clearly implied by the actions of Paul, the gospel can be preached, very effectively, outside "the church" (building). ~