Paul Arrives at Rome

Bible Study Questions 10204

PASSAGE: Acts 28:1-31

COMMENT: Paul and his companions, after being shipwrecked on the island of Melita, do much good there. Paul finally arrives at Rome where he stays in a house under guard. He quickly presents himself to the Jews of Rome but receives little welcome.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1. When the people of Melita say Paul get bitten by the poisonous snake, they said, No doubt this man is a _______________.

2. Paul went to the father of Publius who lay sick of a ________ and of a bloody ________.

3. When Paul preached the kingdom and Jesus to the Jews of Rome, some ___________ the things which were spoken and some ______________ not.

4. After the Jews rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul told them that the _____________ of God is sent unto the ____________ and they will hear it.

5. Paul spent two years in a house in Rome preaching the __________ of God and teaching those things which concern the Lord _________ __________.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. What made the people of Melita barbarian (v.2, 4)? Use a concordance to find out what Paul says about barbarians in other passages.

2. Paul was given a lot of freedom even though he was a prisoner in Rome (see v.16, 30-31). Why do you think this was so?

3. Paul tells the Jews of Rome that he is bound with chains because of the “hope of Israel” (v.20). What different things could this phrase refer to? What do you think it means and why do you think this?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1. Paul’s hands did the work of gathering sticks (v.3). Paul’s hand was bitten by a snake and thought to be the hand of a murderer (v.3-4). Paul’s hands were laid on the sick and the sick were healed (v.8-9). What is the significance of his hands in this chapter? What do your hands tell others about you?

2. The people of Melita “changed their minds” (v.6) when Paul did not die from the snake bite. This is much like the people of Lystra who changed their minds about Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:18-19). What are the main differences between the two stories? What do these stories tell us about the nature of people? How should this knowledge effect our dealings with others?

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES: Acts 28:20, 24, 28

TEXT: Acts 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

2 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 cold.

3 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.

4 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.

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

13 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:

14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

16 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.

17 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.

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

20 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.

21 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.

22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

23 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.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

25 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,

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 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.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

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