Act 28: 3-6 --- Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live." But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Ok, I hate snakes. So the fact Paul defeats the snake is one thing. But the fact that this miracle changed people's minds to follow Christ is awesome.
Acts 28: 25-31 --- They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: "'Go to this people and say,
"You will be ever hearing but never understanding;you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." For this people's heart has become calloused;they hardly hear with their ears,and they have closed their eyes.Otherwise they might see with their eyes,hear with their ears,understand with their heartsand turn, and I would heal them.' "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!
The last verses retell us Paul's life in summary. He is always sharing god's word, still giving the warnings to the non believers and continues to go boldly. Amen!
How must we humble ourselves to become a disciple of Paul's character? Can we? It certainly will fulfill our lives to try...
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