Acts 28 - Unusual Kindness

Paul and the other shipwrecked travellers find themselves on the island of Malta. The weather is still bad, it's cold, wet, and they're probably hungry. The natives of Malta come to their aid showing, "unusual kindness," according to the Bible.

The natives started a fire and welcomed them openly. It's a great example of how Christians should behave every day. If we're going to be called a peculiar people let it be because we show unusual kindness in all situations.

Paul, after going through the fourteen-day ordeal at sea which ended with a wreck and him having to swim to shore, is doing his part. He is out gathering wood for the fire. He puts a few logs on the fire and a snake comes out of one and bites Paul on the hand.

The natives think Paul is a dead man and believe that he must be a murderer for God to punish him with a deadly snake bite. Yet Paul does not become sick or die. Instead, he remains well and even performs miraculous healings for the governor and other people on the island.

The book of Acts ends with Paul getting to Rome. He is still a prisoner but he is able to have guests come to his home. He invites the Jewish leaders of Rome and preaches the gospel to them. Some believe it and some have their hearts hardened by God's Word and reject it.

The book of Acts ends with these words: "Paul lived there two whole years at his own expense,g and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance." A Christian should be living the same way, performing unusual kindness, preaching and teaching Jesus with all boldness and without hindrance. Let us make that our goal as we walk with the King of kings...

Please join us again next week as we seek to gain an understanding of Christianity from Eden to Eternity...