Acts 28:11-16

…and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. (vv. 13b-14a) Puteoli was on the Bay of Naples on the mainland of Italy and (according to my Study Bible) the chief port for Rome, some 75 miles to the north. From Puteoli Paul and his companions and guards could walk to Rome – no more sailing!

That’s why we have these other two stops on the way to Rome: And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. (v. 15a) In our chronological study the only epistle that we have read since Romans was Philippians. Presumably there may have been others, but none have surfaced. For today’s reading, it has been almost three years (or more) since Paul wrote Romans, possibly from Corinth on his third missionary journey. So there has been plenty of time for the Romans epistle to have circulated through the entire area around Rome and the believers in that area have come to know one another. So for Paul, coming to Rome is like a homecoming; he has many friends there even though he’s never been there himself!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 28:1-10

Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. (v. 7) I wonder who the “us” is in this sentence. Was it only Paul and Luke and Julius? …or the soldiers or the sailors also? …or all 276 men from the ship? Already the natives were thinking of Paul as a god. Maybe it was Paul who was being honored by Publius and he brought along whomever he wanted? Wondering…

…the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. (v. 8) I had asked a few days ago about “divine intervention” on Paul’s behalf. So here we have more healings. Looking back we have quite a bit of “divine intervention” through Paul: And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul… (Acts 19:11-20) The rest of that passage talks of healings and casting out evil spirits, eventually leading to the riot at Ephesus that was led by Demetrius, the silversmith. So, yeah, the Lord was with Paul in mighty ways!!

When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand… He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. (vv. 3, 5) In our local news we often read about snake-handling in parts of Kentucky and West Virginia. Mostly we read of this practice when someone has died. But snake-handling churches do exist and they draw their Scriptural justification from Acts 28. Even though that’s close to where we live, I don’t imagine that I will be joining them anytime soon!!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 27:39-44

So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. (v. 40a) I was Army, not Navy, so I can’t presume to know much about ships. However, my Study Bible guided me a bit. Presumably there were two rudders on these ancient ships, positioned on either side of the stern (the rear of the vessel). During the storm they had been hoisted up and tied so they would not get destroyed in the storm. Also, with no rudders in the water, the ship would go wherever the storm drove it and the rudders being out of the way would not hinder the ship’s free float in the sea. So now the ropes that held the rudders were being loosened so that the sailors could direct the ship to where they wanted to land. Unfortunately they did not foresee the reef (the “place between two seas”) and the ship ran aground and was destroyed.

But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. (v. 43a) A few posts back I had noted how friendly the centurion seemed to be with Paul – Luke even mentioning his name, Julius, twice. Now in today’s reading we see real evidence of that thought, …the centurion, wishing to save Paul… Now it could be that Paul was such a high-value prisoner that he needed to be brought to Rome alive, but I think not. Julius was being nice!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 27:27-38

Paul speaking to people on board the ship: Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. (v. 33b) Going two weeks without food, all the while being tossed about in a storm – I’m amazed that Luke did not report some sickness or death on board! I’m wondering why they went without food. Were they fasting? Was it a management decision? Did they know not to eat during a storm? Wondering…!

And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. (v. 35) I’m sure we are all touched by this verse. Look at the verbs: …he took bread, and giving thanks … he broke it and began to eat. So reminiscent of the Last Supper, with shades of the Road to Emmaus and the Feeding of the 5,000. There is something about “breaking bread” that is special to us! GLORY! But also JOY!!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 27:13-26

Again, Luke’s “we” passages – verses 15, 16, 18, 20. It’s completely intriguing to me to be reading these words from Luke’s own hand, having been through it all personally. Certainly he had the same fears for his own safety as all the others on board, but he could look to Paul for leadership in a way that the others could not.

Twice each Paul speaks of “no loss of life”, but “loss of the ship”. That must have been some consolation to the men on board – and even some measure of hope to the owner if he was on board.

For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to Whom I belong and Whom I worship… (v. 23) I was trying to think of other times that Paul (or Luke) had reported on “divine intervention” in Paul’s life. Beyond his road to Damascus experience and his time in the wilderness, I could only think of his time with Silas in the Philippian jail and his “thorn in the flesh” as times when God spoke to or miraculously intervened in Paul’s life. No doubt he felt the presence of God in his prayer time and in his preaching and teaching, but as for “divine intervention”, that’s all I can think of. Anyone else? Any other times?

Slava Bohu!

Acts 27:1-12

Luke is back to his “we” and “us” writings. It’s intriguing to have this first-hand account of Paul’s ministry. As we begin the trip to Rome in today’s reading, I recall my first time reading through Acts and feeling like I was on board ship with Paul and Luke. Sweet…!

And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. (v. 3b) Because Luke is on this journey with Paul, we are able to see this more intimate relationship between Paul and his centurion keeper. Luke even calls him by name, Julius, in verses 1 and 3, and mentions him as “the centurion” in verses 6 and 11. What’s interesting in verse 3b is the trust that Julius has for Paul. Presumably there’s no reason for Paul to escape – since he appealed to Caesar and he had already wanted to go to Rome he’s getting a free ride! But still, Julius letting him go off on his own is nice.

And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix… (v. 12a) The distance from Fair Haven to Phoenix was only about 40 miles. Earlier Paul’s ship had traveled from Caesarea to Sidon in one day, a distance of 70 miles. So with good weather the ship could have made it to Phoenix and harbored there for the winter. However, in tomorrow’s reading…!! Stay tuned!

Slava Bohu!

And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” (v. 24) I have long remembered this verse. (See below.) It’s a small item, but what surprised me in reading this verse this time was that it is Festus who is speaking to Paul, even though Paul is directing his comments to King Agrippa. Festus has not been governor very long, but he seems already to know Paul pretty well. But just that – it surprised me that Festus was the one who interrupted Paul’s comments.

But as to the verse itself… I have always remembered it as “…your great learning is driving you mad.” Back in the early summer of 2003 I was Assistant Treasurer for the Diocese of Lexington (Episcopal) and the Diocesan Convention was just weeks or months away. I was walking with Bishop Stacy Sauls after a meeting at the Cathedral Domain, talking about homosexuality and the upcoming ordination of the gap bishop from New Hampshire. I was citing Scripture to him, arguing against homosexuality in general and this upcoming ordination in particular when he said, “Fred, I can give you dozens of books on this topic in support of homosexuality.” I recall my response, “If it’s that complicated, I don’t think it’s from God. Jesus’ message was much simpler than that.” Our conversation continued, but I remember thinking, “Stacy, your great learning is driving you mad!” Sometimes I wonder if my great learning is driving me mad, but my most intense “great learning” has been the Bible, so I don’t dwell on the question!

For the king knows about these things, and … I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. (v. 26) This verse takes me back to the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), where Jesus joined two men who were walking along the road discussing Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection – specifically, … about everything that had happened. (v. 14). When Jesus asked what they were talking about, One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” (v. 18) That is, as with Paul in the decades following his conversion, the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection … had not been done in a corner!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 26:12-23

…that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. (v. 20b) In our world today there are discussions about salvation by grace alone vs. working one’s way to heaven. And often imbedded therein is a sub-topic discussion of works in general. Why do we perform works? What is the purpose behind Christians doing good things? Here Paul seems to suggest a tit-for-tat. As God has done for us such a great deed as forgiving us and allowing us to have fellowship with Him, in return we need to do the same for others – deeds worthy of our salvation. I like that explanation.

…to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God… (v. 18a) I don’t often think of Satan’s influence on the Jews in Jesus’ time and in prior Old Testament times. Yes, I think of their ups and downs, of their following after the gods of the nations around them. And yes, we know that we are born with a sin nature (after the Fall), but I think we can also say that all sin is from Satan’s influence on us. It’s a truth that the Lord makes explicit here, that Paul’s contemporary Jews are in Satan’s power and that they need to turn to God. Paul is couching that sentence as coming during his visit from Jesus, but I can imagine the audience reaction to Paul making that statement!! Like throwing a match on spilled gasoline!!

…that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles. (v. 23) Paul has a simple phrase here, “to our people”. Paul is addressing his defense to King Agrippa (Therefore, O King Agrippa…, v. 19a), so in using the phrase “our people”, Paul is identifying himself with King Agrippa, that they are both one and the same with the Jews who have brought charges against him. In so doing Paul has set the stage for a direct challenge to King Agrippa as to his own salvation. Check back tomorrow…!!

Slava Bohu!

Acts 26:1-11

A couple of weeks ago (July 19) I posted that Luke’s Acts 22 text was the third account of Paul’s conversion. Today we have the fourth and, in my mind, the most personal. Paul begins his account with his earliest years (his “youth”, v. 4) studying in Jerusalem, continues with his life and beliefs as a Pharisee, then moves on to his most personal account of his persecution of Jews who were following Jesus (vv. 9-11), including his account of voting to murder them. In my mind I can hear the passion with which Paul is speaking – making his point as strongly as he has ever made it in our recorded writings.

As to his voting, …when they were put to death I cast my vote against them… (v. 10b) Some have argued that Paul might have been a member of the Sanhedrin. Most scholars, however, argue that Paul’s voting was simply an agreement with others as to the death of these “blasphemers”.

It’s interesting that Paul makes his claim to be a Pharisee. Why? Because King Agrippa would likely be siding with the Sadducees! It was up to the king to appoint the High Priests, and all of those for whom we have record in that first century were Sadducees. So if Paul is stating his Pharisee background, he knows that he might be going against King Agrippa. But then again, he is also speaking to Jews in the audience who are Pharisees and Sadducees. My guess is that he is simply making the strongest point that he can make as to the zeal with which he had lived his former life.

Finally, it’s a curious interlude, in the midst of Paul’s recounting his life prior to his conversion: Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? (v. 8) Here Paul is making an introductory point that is leading to his later claim that Jesus had been raised from the dead. But he asks it as a question instead of simply making a statement. To me this is a noteworthy item in that he is directly appealing to each and every one of the members of his audience, making it personal for them. I think that’s a good model for our own witnessing – asking questions instead of “preaching”.

Slava Bohu!

Acts 25:13-27

Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. (v. 13) Just reading through the text in the past and not studying the notes, I had assumed that Agrippa and Bernice were husband and wife, king and queen. However, it turns out that they were brother and sister – with substantial rumors of an incestual relationship between them. And as for how Agrippa fits into this picture with Festus, it’s much the same relationship as some years prior with King Herod and Pontius Pilate – Festus was a governor serving under King Agrippa.

It appears that Agrippa’s visit to Festus is simply a kingly courtesy. Festus was a new governor, having replaced Felix, and Agrippa chose to pay him a visit. But while Agrippa was there, Festus took the opportunity to ask Agrippa to “examine” the prisoner, Paul. This was not a trial, only an “examination”. Agrippa was more familiar with Jewish laws and customs and Festus appears to be a new kid in town. He confesses his shortcomings in today’s last two verses: But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him. (vv. 26-27) So Festus is quite the opportunist – saving face and trying to look competent!! But maybe that’s not so bad. He’s new to the area, unfamiliar with the people and their customs. He is making use of an authority figure so that he can better understand a complicated situation. Festus may be something of an opportunist here, but I think he is also making the best use of the resources at his disposal. Not a bad model to follow…

Slava Bohu!