Acts 28:7-15 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us… The conduct of the Maltese towards Paul manifested the good in heathenism, and now the conduct of Paul gives an insight into the good in Christianity. Here is — I. THE SUPERNATURAL. Paul cured Publius's father; but he only did that which was part of his apostolic mission. "They shall take up serpents...they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." The supernaturalness of Christianity may be argued — 1. From the history of Christ and His apostles. 2. From the manifest incapacity of human nature to evolve such a system. 3. From the utter insufficiency of good in any natural form to produce the results which Christianity has achieved. II. THE RESTORATIVE. "Paul entered in and prayed," etc. The supernatural power with which Paul was endowed was not to destroy men's lives, but to save them. In all the miracles of Christ, there is only one of destruction. Christianity — 1. Redeems men from moral diseases — error, carnality, selfishness, impiety. 2. By redeeming men from moral diseases, it redeems them from all others, bodily, social, political. Its grand consummation will be the redemption of the entire man, body and soul, from all evil. III. THE IMPARTIAL AND UNIVERSAL (ver. 9). The healing of Publius's father was only the beginning. Paul treated all alike, and knew of no distinction of birth, influence, or position. Christianity is no respecter of persons, but offers salvation to all — barbarian, Scythian, bond, and free. (D. Thomas, D.) Parallel Verses KJV: In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. |
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