Acts 28 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Acts 28 in 5 Minutes

WHEN:

• Paul’s ship wintered on the island of Malta from approximately 59-60 A.D.

• Paul was kept in house arrest in Rome for 2 years from approximately 60-62 A.D.

CHARACTERS:

• Paul (Saul) – An Apostle who was being sent to Rome to stand trial before Caesar.

• Maltese – The native of people of Malta who showed hospitality to the people in Paul’s ship.

• Publius – The chief man of the island of Malta.

• Jewish Leaders in Rome – Paul met with them and taught them about Jesus and the Kingdom of God.

WHERE:

• Chapter 28 opens with Paul on the Island of Malta. He departed Malta on his way to Rome, stopping in Syracuse, Rhegium, and Puteoli along the way.

OUTLINE:

• PAUL’S SHIPMATES ARE WELCOMED BY THE MALTESE (28:1-10):

  • After Paul’s ship wrecked on Malta, the local people showed them great hospitality.

  • When Paul was gathering sticks for a fire, a poisonous viper bit his hand.

  • The locals assumed Paul was a murderer and the gods wanted him dead.

  • But when Paul was unaffected by the venom the locals decided he was a god.

  • Publius, the “chief man” of the island, hosted Paul and his company for three days.

  • Publius’ father was sick with “fever and dysentery” and Paul healed him.

  • Afterwards, all the sick people on the island came to Paul and were healed.

• PAUL’S SHIP DEPARTS FOR ROME (28:11-16):

  • After 3 months, Paul’s company set sail for Rome.

  • They stopped in Syracuse, Rhegium, and Puteoli where they stayed with some believers for 7 days.

  • When they finally arrived in Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with a soldier who guarded him.

• PAUL REMAINS IN ROME AND TALKS WITH THE JEWISH LEADERS (28:17-31):

  • After 3 days, Paul called the local leaders of the Jews to meet with him.

  • He told them he was a prisoner because the Jews from Judea and Asia hated him.

  • The local Jews told Paul they hadn’t received any news about him and were curious to hear his beliefs.

  • On an appointed day, many Jews from the area came to Paul’s house and listened to him teach about Jesus from “morning till evening.”

  • A disagreement arose between them because some believed but others rejected Paul’s words.

  • The group left after Paul became frustrated with them and told them God was sending the message of salvation to the Gentiles.

  • Paul remained in house arrest for 2 years and proclaimed the Kingdom of God to those who visited him.

APPLICATION:

• No matter what your circumstances, find ways to serve others and serve the Lord.

• If I had to spend two years in house arrest after being falsely accused, transported across the sea, and shipwrecked, I would likely be tempted to sit and pout.

• But Paul got to work within three days of arriving in Rome.

• No matter where we are, no matter what our circumstances, we can serve others and serve the Lord and do our best to proclaim the Kingdom of God.