Unhindered by Hindrances

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Small Group meeting May 2 to study Acts 28.  This is the final chapter of Acts, and the chapter where we finally assess the point of Luke's writing.  Hopefully we will see more clearly for what reason Luke writes to, and perhaps what role Theophilus plays.  But we may not.

Read the chapter through several times.  Consider things that are explained, but look for things that aren't.  Consider why Luke selected the things he did for explanation.  What things about Paul do you discover in this chapter that you may not have considered previously?  Jot down observations and thoughts that come to you as you read.  Since this is so late, I hope you've already been doing this.

After several times through read through again with these questions in mind:

• Look at a map (like the one below).  How far is Malta from anything else?
• Why might you expect them to find a jewel encrusted gold bird?  Perhaps painted black... Maybe a fluffy white dog?
• What do you think is meant by "natives"?  Like aborigines?
• How are the castaways treated?
• What is Paul doing in the midst of the Islanders hospitality?  Why?
• What did the Islanders think when Paul was bitten?  Why think that?
• In verse 6, Luke uses a technical medical term. Can you guess which word?
• Look up "swell up" in the Strong's Concordance.  Is this the best translation of the word? Be sure to check out Thayer's Lexicon entry.  Buried in it is a better explanation.
• When the expected doesn't happen, what do the Islanders decide?
• What can you deduce from the name of the "leading man of the island"?  How "aboriginal" are these Islanders?
• What does Paul do for Publius' father?
• Now what do the Islanders do?
• How long were the castaways on Malta?
• What was the other Alexandrian ship doing there?  So how "remote" is this place?
• Where did they go next? (New York State? Really?)
• What two stops do they make on the way to Rome? What sort of "cities" do they sound like?
• Who comes to meet Paul along the way to Rome?
• What was Paul's living conditions like in Rome?  Why would that be?
• Why would Paul call the Jews together rather than go to the synagogue? Now how nice are his conditions?
• What do the Jews say about him after he tells them why he's there?  Why is that odd?
• Why are the Jews interested in hearing him?  Why is that odd?
• What does Paul use to support his testimony about Jesus being the Messiah?
• How long does he "testify"?
• What happens among those listening?
• Read Isaiah 6 (it's not that long).  How does Paul's citation from that chapter fit these people?  What ironies do you see in his use of this passage?
• Who does Paul say salvation will go to?  And what does he say they will do?
• How long was Paul in Rome?
• What is he doing during that time?
• The final word is "unhindered" (NASB) or "without hindrance".  Why would that be a significant way to end Acts?

That should be plenty for now. See you all Thursday (tomorrow)!