Acts 28:11-14 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.… I. THE FINDING OF GOOD MEN WHERE LEAST EXPECTED. Little did the apostle expect to find Christians at Puteoli, or hastening to meet him from Rome. There is more goodness in the world than even charity will venture to believe. Elijah once thought he was alone, but God showed him there were seven thousand more. II. THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL TO FRATERNALISE MEN. Though Paul had never seen these men before, and belonged to a different class, Christianity made the strangers brothers. Sin has broken the brotherhood of humanity; Christianity restores it. It binds the diverse races into oneness by — 1. Centring affection in a common Father. 2. Exhibiting energies in a common cause. III. THE DIVINE PURPOSES REALISED UNDER IMMENSE IMPROBABILITIES. God had long ago revealed His purpose that Paul should visit Rome (chap. Acts 23:11), but how many circumstances intervened to suggest the improbability of Paul ever seeing the imperial city. Trust God. His Word must come to pass. Apply this to — 1. The universal triumphs of the gospel. How unlikely, at present, does the universal reign of truth appear; yet it will come. 2. The universal resurrection of the dead. How unlikely that the buried myriads of the race shall arise; yet it will be. IV. THE SPIRIT OF THE GODLY IN RELATION TO THEIR HISTORY. 1. Gratitude for the past. What a past was his! 2. Courage for the future. What a future was now before him through his ministry at Rome. (D. Thomas, D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. |
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