[Acts 28]

 

             {Nov. - Feb. 62 AD. Malta.}

             ^28:1 And they were saved and then they recognized that the island is called Malta. ^28:2 Now the barbarians were providing for us. We obtained not the typical kindliness, for^* they lit a fire and took us all in, because of the standing rainfall and because of the cold. ^28:3 But after Paul twisted together a bunch of brush and laid it upon the fire, a viper attached to his hand, after it came forth through the brush from the warmth. ^28:4 Now as the barbarians saw the snake hanging from his hand, they were saying to one another, This man is certainly a murderer, whom was saved out-of the sea, but the Justice did not permit him to live. ^28:5 Therefore indeed, he shook-off the snake into the fire and suffered no evil. ^28:6 But they were expecting him to be about to swell up or to suddenly fall down dead. But after they themselves were expecting it over much time and viewing nothing improper happening to him, they have a reversal and were saying that he is a god.

 

             ^28:7 Now in the regions around that place, were^* farms belonging to the foremost one of the island, Publius by name, who accepted us and lodged us courteously three days. ^28:8 Now it happened, that the father of Publius lay sick, troubled with fevers and dysentery, to whom Paul entered and prayed, laid his hands upon him and healed him. ^28:9 Therefore, after this happened, the rest who have any sicknesses in the island were also coming near and were being healed, ^28:10 who also honored us with many honors, and while setting-sail, they placed upon the ship the things for our need.

             ^28:11 Now after three months, we were led to an Alexandrian ship with an insignia of The Twin Brothers which has wintered on the island.

 

             {March, 62 - March 64. Rome.}

             ^28:12 And we were led into Syracuse and remained there three days. ^28:13 From where, we went around and arrived at Rhegium and after one day a south wind came^* upon us and on the second day we came to Puteoli; ^28:14 where we found brethren and were encouraged to remain with {Greek: upon} them seven days and so we came to Rome. ^28:15 And the brethren from there, after they heard things concerning us, came to the encounter with us up-to the Market of Appius and the Three Taverns; whom Paul saw, gave-thanks to God and took courage.

 

             ^28:16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion gave the prisoners to the camp-commander, but Paul was permitted^* to abide by himself together-with the soldier guarding him.

 

             ^28:17 Now after three days, Paul happened to call together the foremost of the Jews and after they came together, he was saying to them, Men, brethren, I practiced nothing adverse to the Jewish people or the customs of our forefathers. I, a prisoner from Jerusalem, was given up into the hands of the Romans. ^28:18 The Romans who examined me, were planning to release me, because no crime worthy of death was found to exist in me. ^28:19 But the Jews were speaking against it, then I was urged to appeal to Caesar; not like I hold anything of which to accuse my nation. ^28:20 Therefore, because of this accusation, I pleaded to see and to speak to you^°, for^* I am encompassed with this chain because of the hope of Israel.

             ^28:21 But they said to him, We neither accepted writings from Judea concerning you, nor did anyone of the brethren come^* here and report or speak anything evil concerning you. ^28:22 But we deem it worthy to hear from you what things you are mindful of; for^* indeed, concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.

 

             ^28:23 Now after they appointed him a day, they were coming to him, more into the lodging, to whom he was expounding the word, thoroughly testifying of the kingdom of God and persuading them with the things concerning Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until dusk. ^28:24 And some were obeying and some were disbelieving the things being spoken. ^28:25 But being in disagreement with one another, they were dismissing themselves after Paul said just one declaration, The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, ^28:26 saying, ‘Travel to this people and say, In hearing you^° will hear and yet should never understand, and in seeing you^° will see and yet should never know, ^28:27 for^* the heart of this people became-callous and they have selectively heard with their ears and they closed their eyes, lest, they should see with their eyes and should hear with their ears and should understand with their heart and should return and I will be healing them.’ {Isa 6:9-10}

             ^28:28 Therefore, let it be known to you^°, The salvation from God was sent to the Gentiles and they themselves will be hearing it. ^28:29 And after he said these things of him, the Jews went away, and had much debate among themselves.

             ^28:30 Now Paul remained two whole years in his own rented-house and was accepting all who travel to him, ^28:31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unforbidden by any.

 

{NOTES: Please read the ‘Definitions’ Section and other non-bible sections to understand the MLV better.}

 

{{ Introduction to the Christian Letters

 

            After you know about who Jesus was in the first four books and have followed an example of how to become a Christian in Acts, then comes the remainder of the New Testament. A collection of letters written to Christians, helping them to know how to live their lives for Christ Jesus after they are saved from their sins. These letters are where the word grace or favor is used with Christians in the New Testament. They were not arranged in chronological order so to read and learn from them as God intended, it is better to follow the order of the Simple Reading Schedule. This way each letter will build upon the others. You will also have some preparation before you read Romans, a very intense letter and hard for most to understand. Each letter deals with specific issues and problems that different groups of Christians were struggling with at the time of the writing. The most common problem was that Jewish false teachers were binding the Gentile Christians under the Law of Moses. However, up front, the Law, spoken of in the letters is in a very generalized way as “Law” vs. “the Law” most often. It is the old covenant of God, the Old Testament from Genesis through Malachi.

            The first nine letters are written by the apostle Paul to specific congregations of the Lord’s body in various cities and are named for the area in which those Christians lived. The next four letters are written by Paul to specific Christian individuals who were working with congregations.

            The letter to the Hebrews was written to help Jewish Christians understand that the Old Testament had fulfilled its purpose in pointing people to something so much better: Jesus the Christ.

            The letters of James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, and Jude were all written to Christians in various areas, and the letters are named after the writer.

            The book of Revelation is a combination of letters from Christ Jesus to specific congregations, and a prophecy given as a reminder to Christians to stay faithful even in persecution because God is the one ultimately in control.}}

 

 

 

{{ Introduction to Romans 58 AD

 

            The Romans had their problems with Jewish Christian false teachers also. But Paul first addressed homosexuality, which was a common practice in Rome at the time. Emperor Nero was a classic example. Paul puts it in blunt terms in 1 Cor. 6:9: ‘they will not inherit the kingdom of God.’ In the next few chapters, Paul deals with: various quotes of the O.T., why the Jews of his day are not heirs of the faith of Abraham, and that Christ was the fulfilment of that promise to Abraham, long before the Mosaic Law was given. In chapter 6, Paul gives us one more aspect about immersion, the death, burial, and resurrection, same as our Lord. Chapter 7 shows the contrast of a married couple and remarriage, but the whole point is that you cannot keep the Old Covenant of God and also be married to the New Covenant of Jesus, for otherwise God would call you an adulteress. Paul speaks of his (and our) war between what we want to do vs. what we are to do in Christ and how nothing can ever keep us from the love of God. Chapter 9 goes back to the argument against the Jewish false teachers. In Chapter 10, Paul addresses the same problem with the Israel of then and many false religious groups of today,‘they have a zeal of God, but not according-to full knowledge.’ Then Paul speaks of the reports from the apostles that brought them to Christ. In Chapter 11, Paul speaks that it was always God’s plan to have the Gentiles and Jews under one covenant. In Chapters 12-14, instructions on how to live as a Christian, and governments in Chapter 13. In Chapter15, Paul returns to more about the Law of Moses vs. the Law of Christ. Ending with Paul’s typical farewells.}}