Acts 28 | Daily Bible Reading & Reflection

Acts 28 Devotional: Follow Paul from the shores of Malta to his final arrival in Rome. Witness the unhindered spread of the Gospel as the Scriptures are fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to the final chapter of the book of Acts. We have traveled through storms, shipwrecks, and trials, and today we see God’s sovereign promise fulfilled: Paul arrives in Rome. Even in chains, the Word of God is not bound. Let us finish this journey with a renewed fire for the mission of the Church.

Acts Chapter 28 Introduction:

The Unhindered Word and the Faithful Witness

Acts 28 begins with the miraculous survival of Paul and his companions on the island of Malta. From surviving a viper’s bite to healing the sick on the island, Paul’s life remains a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit. Eventually, he reaches Rome, where he spends two years under house arrest. Despite his physical limitations, the book ends with a striking image: Paul welcoming all who came to him, "proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."

What can we learn from this today? In this chapter, we see the Sovereignty of God over every obstacle. As your Statement of Faith affirms, the Church’s mission is to proclaim the Gospel and demonstrate God’s love in the world. Paul’s circumstances in Rome were not ideal—he was a prisoner—yet he saw his situation as a platform, not a prison. This reminds us that God’s "perfect will for the salvation of humankind" cannot be stopped by human chains or government decrees. Like Paul, we are called to be faithful witnesses regardless of our setting, trusting that the Holy Spirit empowers us for service and that the Final Authority of the Bible will continue to convict and regenerate those who hear it.

Bible Verse - Acts 28

Paul Ashore on Malta

28 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 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. 4 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.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 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.

7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Paul’s Arrival at Rome

11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

17 Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”

21 They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”

23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 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:

26 “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”

27 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 hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’

28 “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” [29]

30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!

Prayer

Paul lived in Rome for two years, welcoming everyone who came to see him. As we enter into prayer, let us ask for that same spirit of hospitality and boldness to share the hope that is within us.

Prayer Theme: "Boldness Without Hindrance"

Dear Heavenly Father, We praise You for the completion of the journey in Acts. We believe that You are the sovereign Lord of all things, and we see Your hand in every mile Paul traveled. Thank You for the gift of Your Spirit, who dwells in us and empowers us to be Your witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Lord, I ask for a heart like Paul’s—a heart that sees every circumstance as an opportunity to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Forgive me for the times I have allowed my own "chains"—my fears, my busyness, or my comfort—to hinder me from sharing Your grace. Strengthen me to be a faithful member of Your universal Church, nurturing others through prayer and fellowship. May Your Word be "unhindered" in my life today. Use me to demonstrate Your love to those who are hurting and to speak the truth of Jesus Christ to those who are lost.

We pray for our local church, that we would be a people known for our boldness and our welcome. We lift up missionaries and believers in closed nations who, like Paul, are proclaiming the Gospel under the threat of persecution; protect them and give them favor. We pray for a world that is often hard-hearted toward Your Truth; we ask that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin and open eyes to the beauty of the Savior. May Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Daily Application Question

Paul was under house arrest, yet he was "proclaiming the kingdom of God... without hindrance." What is one "hindrance" in your life (a fear, a habit, or a busy schedule) that you can surrender to God today so that His Word can move more freely through you? Why does the book of Acts end so abruptly? Many scholars believe it ends this way to show that the "Acts of the Holy Spirit" through the Church are still continuing today. The mission did not end with Paul; it was handed off to every generation of believers that followed.

What happened to Paul after Acts 28? While the Bible does not explicitly say, tradition suggests he was released for a time, continued his missionary journeys (possibly to Spain), was later re-arrested, and eventually martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero.

Why did Paul speak so strongly to the Jews in Rome about their "dull hearts"? He was quoting Isaiah 6 to explain a painful reality: while many would reject the Gospel, God’s salvation was now being sent to the Gentiles, who would listen. It reminds us that salvation is a gift received through faith alone.

Frequently Asked Questions about Acts 28

Why does the book of Acts end so abruptly? Many scholars believe it ends this way to show that the "Acts of the Holy Spirit" through the Church are still continuing today. The mission did not end with Paul; it was handed off to every generation of believers that followed.
What happened to Paul after Acts 28? While the Bible does not explicitly say, tradition suggests he was released for a time, continued his missionary journeys (possibly to Spain), was later re-arrested, and eventually martyred in Rome under Emperor Nero.
Why did Paul speak so strongly to the Jews in Rome about their "dull hearts"? He was quoting Isaiah 6 to explain a painful reality: while many would reject the Gospel, God’s salvation was now being sent to the Gentiles, who would listen. It reminds us that salvation is a gift received through faith alone.

Thank you for journeying through the book of Acts with us! May you go out today empowered by the same Spirit that led Paul, knowing that the Word of God is never in chains. We look forward to starting our next study together as we continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Navigate the Journey

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