Today we’re wrapping up the book of Acts by reading Acts 28. By the way, this brings us to 6 completed books of the Bible so far this year in the Tattoo Church Reading Plan! Here are some quick things to think about:
- The start of this chapter continues the story of Paul being shipwrecked. No the ship’s name was not the S.S. Minnow, actually we aren’t really sure about that since the Bible doesn’t specify . . . hmm, that would fill in some interesting details though . . . Anyhow, Paul and all 275 on board the ship made it safely ashore just as Paul said they would.
- The islanders gave them quite a friendly welcome. While building a fire Paul was bitten by a viper but he shook it off into the fire. The islanders initially thought Paul must have been a bad person to escape a shipwreck only to be bitten by a snake. However, when they saw Paul didn’t die they changed their minds and thought he was a god.
- Then through the power of God, Paul healed all the sick people on the island. Yes, I’m serious! I know it sounds crazy but read it for yourself.
- After all this the islanders honored the newcomers and when they were ready to sail they gave them all the supplies they needed.
- They finally got to Rome and Paul was allowed to live by himself with only a soldier to guard him. Paul stayed there in Rome for two years teaching people about Jesus.
Reading through the book of Acts has shown us that Paul lived quite an interesting life. He initially led a privileged life as a religious leader. He was a Jewish zealot even to the point of killing people. Then he encountered Jesus and decided to follow him. Afterwards, Paul was constantly rejected by his own people, stoned until thought dead, beaten and imprisoned multiple times and shipwrecked. All of this and he still passionately followed Jesus and proclaimed boldly of his resurrection.
What are some things that you have learned from reading through the book of Acts? Has Paul’s life inspired you at all? If so, in what ways?
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