Acts 28 Three kinds of God’s powers are recorded in Acts 28; God’s power to protect, God’s healing power, and the Gospel that brings salvation to everyone who believes. Hence, we need to have faith first. Everything is possible for one who believes. In Isaiah 6:10, it is written that “Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” We should not understand this verse from our perspective, instead, we should read it from God’s point of view. God is so merciful that He will heal us if we turn to Him.
On the island, Paul was living in a very harsh condition, and yet he experienced God’s healing. The chief official of the island, Publius, as well as many other islanders, were healed because of Paul’s prayers. As a result, Paul was honored in many ways on the island. The islanders even furnished him with the supplies he needed before he set sail. God provided Paul with everything he needed.
In the shipwreck, God saved Paul’s life. Later, Paul was bitten by a viper when he was setting fire. The viper even fastened itself on Paul’s hand. Just when the islanders were saying that Paul “must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live,” But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects, this is when the islanders thought that Paul was a god. Paul had experienced God’s protection many times before, and his life was a living testimony of God’s glory and grace, so when he was bitten, he merely shook his hand and then he returned to setting the fire. Paul did not publicize the event or call for a gathering to testify for God, because God’s protection seem so natural on Paul. God had shown his glory and might to Paul too many times, and there were too many testimonies in Paul’s life, so he did not have to “tell” them. People around Paul can “see” miracles with their own eyes.
The entire book of Acts is about one thing, that is, to win one more soul for the Lord! Paul endured all the persecution he underwent because he was trying to win one more soul for Jesus! Why did he go to Jerusalem even if he knew he would be bound? He wanted to save another soul! Acts ends in Paul’s room, and he was still trying to spread the gospel to the Jews, and told them courageously about Jesus, just to save one more soul. Hence, we should take courage to spread the words of God, and tell people about Jesus. When we do, no one can stop us, because “your strength will equal your days.”
