The man on the island of Malta with the most money and perhaps the greatest power is Publius. For Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus, he makes his home their home for three days. These are the three days at the beginning of the three month respite at Malta after the shipwreck.
The three men openly share their faith with their host and his household. And upon hearing that Publius’ father is sick in bed, Paul goes to him, prays, and lays healing hands on the father. News immediately spreads to the rest of the people on the island and those with diseases come to Paul for curative prayers. Publius’ father’s healing is such a glorious event that with thankful hearts natives give many honors to Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus. Thankful natives stock their ship with provisions when they ready to set sail for Rome.
Holy Spirit speaks clearly to Paul. When the three left Caesarea (with Paul in chains) at the start of Winter the Spirit’s words to Paul help him and others. Now, having just experienced the Euroclydon storm where the four winds blew at them from all directions like a hurricane and shipwrecked them, now they stay put until Paul says it is time to sail. Paul knew the time from Holy Spirit.
This three month segment is a of faith sharing revival. Then with the natives and various crew members, they board a ship that has Wintered on the island and set sail again for Rome. On the masthead of this ship are engraved two gods thought favorable to mariners, Castor and Pulluz. This ship captain stops at ports in Syracuse, Rhegium, and Puteoli. And they found believers at Puteoli (today, Pozzouli)!! They stay with the believers for seven days and it is wonderful– Paul teaching deeper faith principles, Jesus’ words and parables given to them, Paul’s Damascus experience shared with them, sharing foot washing and Holy Communion, and more.
Paul is energized by Spirit, given Christ’s words to speak, he’s filled with Heavenly Father’s love for the natives of Malta ( now St. Paul’s bay and St. Paul’s islands) Syracuse, Rhegium and Puteoli. He Baptizes and anoints, lays Holy hands for healing, is both joyous and sincerely compassion filled like Christ, and serves others New Birth in Christ and His transforming miracle of the soul finding Home.
Spirit energizes us when we listen intently to Spirit. As with Paul, telling others what Spirit says, calling on Spirit in Jesus’s Name to heal, and using Spirit to give us words to speak are just a few of the basics we gather from Paul’s life witness. Paul and we believe and trust Jesus our Savior. John 14:12-14
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It so happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery. Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him. 9 After this happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They bestowed many honors on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed.
11 Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there for three days; 13 then we weighed anchor and came to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found believers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 The believers from there, when they heard of us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. Acts 28:7-15
