1. The History of Salvation on Malta and Paul’s Shipwreck
From Acts 27 onward, Paul and his companions undergo a dramatic ordeal of drifting at sea and shipwreck. In those days, crossing the Mediterranean by ship was itself challenging. The vessel carrying Paul and other prisoners and passengers encountered a fierce northeaster (the Euraquilo) near the island of Crete and drifted for an extended period. Facing this storm, everyone fell into despair, to the point that they could not even eat, and their morale plummeted. But Paul, through a revelation from God, proclaimed the promise that “the ship will be destroyed, but not one of you will lose your life.” These words were more than just spiritual comfort; they revealed the remarkable providence that only God could grant amidst the tumultuous sea. Indeed, the ship was wrecked near the shore of Malta (Melite), but all 276 people on board swam safely ashore. This scene in the latter part of Acts 27 shows how God’s Word is fulfilled even when all human hope seems lost.
Pastor David Jang underscores God’s careful protection through the incident of landing on Malta. If the people had given up hope entirely and scattered, or if they had been weak or injured, it would have been impossible for all of them to reach the island unharmed. Furthermore, Malta is located about 500 km from Rome, just below Sicily. Since ancient times, Malta had been a critical trade route in the Mediterranean, implying that encountering this island in the midst of a violent storm was part of God’s timetable. Even in the Middle Ages and early modern period, Malta served as a significant strategic stop for missionaries entering the Orient or the Middle East, suggesting that from Paul’s time onward, the island was already somehow prepared to be used in the process of spreading the gospel.
The reaction of the islanders on Malta is also noteworthy. Scripture refers to them as “the natives,” yet they showed no hostility to this large group of 276 foreign castaways. On the contrary, as recorded in Acts 28:2, they welcomed Paul and his companions warmly by kindling a fire for them, even though it was cold and rainy—a gesture that was quite unusual, given the cultural and religious context of the time. Pastor David Jang explains that this highlights God’s meticulous providence and emphasizes that in places where the gospel is delivered, people’s hearts often open in unexpected ways. Despite having no prior connection, and though one might expect hostility, the Maltese people helped and generously cared for these strangers. From the days of the early church, God seems to have prepared people’s hearts in advance wherever the gospel was needed or in line with God’s will.
The scene where Paul is bitten by a viper while gathering wood adds a mysterious element to the story. Upon seeing the snake fasten itself to Paul’s hand, the islanders first thought, “He must be a murderer; though he escaped the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” This reflects a common ancient worldview of retributive justice—that if someone rescued from the sea is then bitten by a poisonous snake and dies, they must have committed some atrocious crime. However, Paul remained unharmed, showing no worsening pain or signs of poisoning. Witnessing this, the islanders then called him a “god.” Pastor David Jang points out that even God’s people can sometimes be mistakenly deified or excessively revered, which must be guarded against. Paul did not exalt himself in the slightest; he simply testified that the miracle was performed by the power God permitted.
After this, Paul is invited to spend three days with Publius, the leading man of Malta, whose father lay sick with fever and dysentery. In the ancient Mediterranean world, dysentery was considered a lethal infectious disease, and there were no swift treatments for the high fever accompanying such ailments. Paul visited the man, prayed, laid hands on him, and he was healed. Because of this miracle, word spread across the island about Paul’s presence and the gospel he preached. Many who were sick came to Paul and were healed. As a result, when Paul and his party left the island, the Maltese provided all that they needed. Pastor David Jang notes that this scene demonstrates the abundant spiritual blessing that accompanies the arrival of God’s servant in any land. What occurred with Paul and his co-laborers was not merely an uncontrollable accident, but rather one orchestrated by God as part of His plan to spread the gospel.
After wintering on Malta for three months, Paul and his companions set sail again toward Rome in February on an Alexandrian ship. Luke even includes the name of the ship, the “Twin Gods” (Dioscuri), to remind readers that his account is not hearsay but is based on concrete facts. Acts meticulously details Paul’s routes and destinations, providing insight into the trade routes of first-century Mediterranean merchant ships. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that the Bible is not merely a religious text offering moral lessons; it is also a concrete, living witness encompassing real historical contexts and locations. The journey through Syracuse, Rhegium, and Puteoli toward Rome climaxes in Acts 28 as Paul finally arrives in the imperial city after a long ordeal at sea.
Thus, the shipwreck and salvation narrative on Malta vividly illustrates God’s meticulous sovereignty and the flow of gospel expansion. God, who preserved the lives of many who nearly perished, did not merely save that community. He used Malta as a new base for the gospel. Through the kindness of the Maltese people and the healing miracles, Paul essentially reaped precious fruit on his way to the heart of the empire, which eventually allowed him the opportunity to preach for over two years in Rome. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that when we face unexpected storms in life, we must trust that God is at work behind the scenes and remember that our sufferings can serve as a gateway for the gospel. Had it not been for the experience on Malta, Paul’s arrival in Rome, the subsequent encounters, and even the authorship of epistles like Philemon would have unfolded differently. In that sense, the episodes involving Paul’s perilous journey and landing on Malta in Acts 27–28 serve as a pivotal turning point in the history of Western Christianity and the global spread of the gospel.
Pastor David Jang also reminds us that Malta gained renewed attention over the centuries. For pilgrims to the Holy Land or researchers of Christian history, Paul’s shipwreck on Malta holds enormous symbolic weight. A first-century incident in the Mediterranean became the starting point of countless theological and historical interpretations. There grew a widespread recognition that even if Malta might appear merely a small island, God, who guided the storm-tossed ship there safely, opened a new chapter in gospel history through that land. Early Christians likely did not see the events in Malta as “coincidence.” Even today, believers can see that wherever trials occur—even in some seemingly remote corner of the world—God has a hidden purpose and calling for that place, urging us to be ready to sow the seeds of the gospel there.
Ultimately, the story of salvation and shipwreck on Malta is not just an “old tale” confined to the Bible, but rather an enduring spiritual guide for all believers in every age. God’s promises are never in vain. Even in what appears to be total disaster—like a shipwreck—He protects lives through the person He has chosen and makes the gospel shine. Church history and the path of missions provide repeated examples of a similar pattern. Pastor David Jang stresses that these accounts should not remain as mere historical records but must become our lived testimony today. The story of Paul’s experience on Malta ultimately reveals how God’s unstoppable plan of salvation touches the lives of ordinary people in astonishing ways.
2. Paul’s Arrival in Rome and the Love of the Brothers
After spending three months on Malta, Paul and his companions board an Alexandrian ship and pass through Syracuse, Rhegium, and Puteoli, finally nearing Rome. Acts 28:15 says that, having heard of Paul’s arrival, the brothers in Rome traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet him. These locations were more than 50 km from the city of Rome—a distance that might be an hour or two by modern car, but in those days required two days’ journey on foot. Nevertheless, they hurried out to greet and welcome Paul. This episode symbolically highlights the passionate love and hospitality culture of the early church.
Pastor David Jang notes that this welcome scene vividly demonstrates the spirit of “mutual care” within the early church. Although the early church was scattered throughout the Roman Empire, believers often traveled to meet one another and shared joy together. From a human standpoint, Paul arrived under the status of house arrest, awaiting trial, which might have made him seem powerless. Yet these believers knew who Paul was, understood how crucial his gospel ministry had been, and recognized that welcoming God’s servant was akin to welcoming the Lord Himself. Their hospitality was more than mere politeness; it was a profound spiritual communion.
Seeing the brothers who came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns, Paul “thanked God and took courage,” according to the latter part of Acts 28:15. Their welcome and encouragement undoubtedly gave him great strength. Paul had been in custody since his arrest in Jerusalem, had faced numerous trials, and had just endured a shipwreck on Malta. Physically and mentally, he must have been exhausted. Yet the sight of these believers hastening to greet him embodied the solidarity and brotherly affection that the early church shared. This episode illustrates powerfully the kind of comfort and bold assurance that the church community can impart to one another.
Pastor David Jang argues that we must apply the early church’s spirit of hospitality to the modern church. If today’s church is confined to buildings and ceremonial frameworks, it will be difficult to revive that “running out to greet with love” mentality. However, the New Testament frequently exhorts believers to “show hospitality,” reminding us that actively receiving and caring for others is one of the core values of the gospel community. Warmly welcoming a brother in Christ and rejoicing together remains a genuine expression of the gospel.
Eventually, Paul enters Rome, not as a typical prisoner but as an untried detainee placed under house arrest. Under Roman law, those who appealed to Caesar had to wait for the final trial, and during that period they were sometimes permitted limited freedom of movement and visitors. Acts 28:16 describes how Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him, rather than being thrown into the worst confinement.
This arrangement actually facilitated the preaching of the gospel. The final two verses of Acts state that Paul stayed there for two whole years in his own rented house, freely receiving anyone who came to him and preaching the kingdom of God boldly, teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with no one forbidding him. Many biblical scholars refer to this as an “open-ended conclusion.” Although it appears that the message is that the gospel spread unhindered, it also subtly signals that the gospel story continues even now. Under normal circumstances, house arrest would restrict evangelistic activity, but paradoxically, Paul found himself in a place where he could preach freely. Rather than being limited, he became a magnet for people to come and hear. This powerfully demonstrates that God’s Word cannot be blocked by any human constraints.
Paul’s two-year stay in Rome was immensely significant. Many church historians believe that during this period, Paul wrote the Epistles known as the Prison Letters—Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These letters played a decisive role in deepening the early church’s faith and understanding of the gospel. In particular, in Philemon, Paul—though under house arrest—received the runaway slave Onesimus, embraced him through the gospel, and wrote to the slave’s master, Philemon, urging him in love, “receive him as you would receive me.” This was a radical message in a society dominated by the institution of slavery, illustrating that the core power of the gospel remained undiminished even if Paul’s mobility was restricted.
Pastor David Jang repeatedly stresses that Paul’s journey to Rome and his two-year stay there served God’s extensive design to spread the gospel and strengthen the believers. Acts 28 can be seen as the culmination of that plan, and the warmth shown to Paul by the Roman brothers makes it even more striking. In the midst of trials and persecution, the believers’ welcome and support emboldened Paul to preach. All of this occurred under the sovereign hand of God, who directs history.
This act of love and hospitality vividly reflects the gospel’s central values. Jesus also said, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Thus, the essence of the gospel is realized in the love shared within the church community. Even though Paul was under constant military surveillance, he found renewed strength through the believers’ hospitality and affection, enabling him to proclaim the kingdom of God and testify about Jesus Christ “boldly.” Pastor David Jang contends that in today’s church, we likewise need proactive and sacrificial actions to encourage and uplift fellow believers who are suffering. Without this, the church risks becoming a mere institution, losing the holy and beautiful sense of community that the early church exemplified. On the other hand, a church that embraces and loves others under any circumstances will grow stronger even in the storms of history.
Hence, the story of Paul arriving in Rome and being welcomed by the brethren is both the conclusion to his rescue and drift at Malta and the starting point of a new phase of gospel expansion. The gospel that began in Jerusalem finally reaches the heart of the Empire, fulfilling the Great Commission mandate to carry it “to the ends of the earth.” In this process, miracles are noteworthy, but Pastor David Jang emphasizes that even more important is the dedication and love of the church community that trusts God and cares for one another. This resonates deeply with believers in the 21st century.
3. Paul’s Defense Concerning the Hope of Israel and the Kingdom of God
In the latter part of Acts 28, soon after arriving in Rome, Paul summons the Jewish leaders living there. Since his arrest in Jerusalem, Paul had faced considerable opposition from fellow Jews. Yet he never relinquished his love and sense of solidarity with them, which is evident in multiple epistles. In Romans 9, he expresses his deep sorrow for his own people, even saying he would willingly be “accursed and cut off from Christ” for the sake of his brethren. His strong attachment stemmed partly from his past as a zealous Pharisee, but also from his conviction that he had found the fulfillment of “Israel’s hope” in Christ and wanted his people to share in that realization.
Thus, in Rome, Paul clarifies to the Jewish leaders that he never intended to break the law or undermine the customs of their ancestors. In Acts 28:20, he states, “It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.” The “hope of Israel” refers to the long-foretold messianic expectation proclaimed by the Old Testament prophets—the Day of Yahweh and the coming of the Anointed One. Paul insists, even in Rome, that Jesus is indeed this Messiah, ardently arguing for His identity.
The concepts of “Israel’s hope” and “the kingdom of God” are closely linked. The Law and the Prophets in the Old Testament foretold that the Messiah would come, address humanity’s sin, and establish God’s new rule, the kingdom of God. Paul repeatedly stressed that the fulfillment of Israel’s hope came through Jesus Christ, revealing the kingdom of God. In Acts 28:23, Paul “from morning till evening explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.” In other words, through a detailed exposition of Scripture, he aimed to persuade the Roman Jews that all the prophecies of the Old Testament had come to fruition in Christ.
Pastor David Jang emphasizes that Acts repeatedly pairs “the kingdom of God” with “Jesus Christ,” and this is a crucial focus. The heart of the early church’s gospel message was the belief that Jesus was not merely a great teacher or prophet but the Son of God who saves sinners and renews the world by His sovereign rule. His coming inaugurated the eschatological hope in part, and the kingdom of God continues to expand, ultimately to be fulfilled. This framework coincides with Paul’s teaching that the God who pledged to restore Israel had already begun His work through Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, as Acts 28:24 notes, some who heard were convinced, while others remained unconvinced. No matter how cogent Paul’s argument, those with hardened hearts could not accept the gospel. Paul references Isaiah 6:9–10—“You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving”—to explain this. It is regrettable on one level, but on another, it aligns with God’s providence that a time of Jewish rejection of the Messiah would allow the gospel to spread to the Gentiles, after which Israel would be prompted by holy jealousy to return to God (Romans 9–11).
Paul declares emphatically in Acts 28:28: “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” This underscores that the gospel, once confined to the Jewish nation, is now reaching the entire empire and the ends of the earth. Though Paul encountered fierce resistance from some of his own people, the kingdom of God would spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond, across the ages. By the third century, Christianity was legalized under Emperor Constantine, eventually becoming the empire’s state religion—a historical validation of Paul’s proclamation.
In this context, Pastor David Jang notes the importance of the missionary’s attitude and theological interpretation. The gospel fundamentally testifies to “the kingdom of God” and “Jesus Christ,” transcending both Jewish exclusivism and Gentile ignorance. Even though Paul appealed to the Jewish hope in confronting the Roman Jews, some of them still rejected him. This ironic twist enabled the gospel to broaden its reach. The growth of the Gentile church eventually stirred the Jewish community to re-examine the gospel. This cyclical dynamic interlinks with Old Testament prophecies, shaping the entire narrative of Acts.
Acts 28, the concluding chapter of the book, ends without detailing what finally happened to Paul—whether he was tried before the Emperor, or what transpired later. Many church traditions hold that Paul was briefly released, attempted a mission in Spain (Tarraco or Hispania), and was later re-arrested and martyred; these traditions coexist. Luke omits these details, leaving us only with “Paul preaching freely in Rome.” Many interpret this as a symbolic “open ending,” showing that God’s plan of salvation continues beyond this point. The real protagonist is the unstoppable work of God’s Word in history.
Pastor David Jang underscores the lesson of this open ending. If, in Paul’s day, Rome became a new hub for the gospel, then today the gospel continues to reach every corner of the globe. What remains unchanged is that God’s kingdom never halts, and the gospel of Jesus Christ surpasses all barriers. Just as the shipwreck on Malta paved the way for Paul to reach Rome, even dark and dangerous circumstances can become stepping-stones for the gospel today. Paul never gave up on either Jews or Gentiles, preaching tirelessly; in times of division and conflict, the church must rediscover this passion.
The themes of “Israel’s hope” and “the kingdom of God” remain crucial for understanding the broad sweep of God’s revelation from the Old to the New Testament. Jesus is “King of Israel” and simultaneously “Savior of the whole world.” Acts consistently depicts the Jewish rejection of Jesus and the subsequent acceptance of the gospel by the Gentiles, setting in motion a dynamic saga of salvation. Pastor David Jang believes that studying this narrative is still urgently necessary for the 21st-century church. Just as the gospel prevailed through many obstacles, we too may face rejections and misunderstandings when preaching it today. Yet holding fast to its essence and moving forward boldly is how we expand God’s saving work one soul at a time.
Acts 28, especially its final verses, encapsulates three key points. First, the gospel breaks through any situation. Second, the core message of the gospel is the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ. Third, this truth unites both Jews and Gentiles across all eras. Pastor David Jang uses this conclusion to urge the church not to forget its fundamental mission—to ceaselessly pray and act for the realization of God’s kingdom on earth. Believers are to carry forth the hope of Israel and of all nations. Although Paul was in chains, he tirelessly proclaimed that hope. Likewise, the church today often encounters constraints and challenges. Yet these can become opportunities to see the gospel expand in even more creative and powerful ways.
Acts 28 does not merely record “Paul’s arrival in Rome,” but serves as a pivotal moment in the development of salvation history—demonstrating how God’s ancient promises are fulfilled and continue to widen their scope. The arrival of Israel’s hope in Rome and the gospel’s shift to the Gentiles, all undergirded by the early church’s mutual love, form a spiritual heritage that today’s church should emulate. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that this chapter, rather than ending with a period, invites us to see “the ongoing record of the gospel.” There is no Acts 29 in the Bible, but many have said that it is being written through the church’s history. Thus, the story after Paul’s arrival in Rome has been continued by believers in every generation. This is the present-tense unfolding of the kingdom of God, which we still behold today.
After pondering on the message of Acts 28, Pastor David Jang calls for believers to dedicate themselves to bringing the gospel wherever they reside, offering hospitality to the marginalized, and helping both Jews and Gentiles return to God and discover hope in Him. Even dire situations like shipwrecks or house arrest can become channels for the gospel in God’s hands. The early church stands as proof of this. The recorded Word and its history have not faded over time; instead, they continually challenge believers. God’s kingdom never stops; it keeps moving through world history. Within this holy continuity, the church is called to do as the Maltese natives did—welcoming the stranger—or as the Roman brothers did—meeting others on the road—and, like Paul, boldly proclaiming the kingdom of God and testifying of Jesus Christ, wherever we are.
Thus, while Acts finishes at chapter 28, its spiritual principles and its Great Commission keep urging the church to continue writing this epic. We must trust the God who can accomplish salvation on an unexpected island like Malta, learn hospitality and love from the Roman believers, and proclaim Jesus Christ—Israel’s hope and the light to the Gentiles—to all nations. And in this missionary path, God’s grace, mightier than all storms or trials, will surely prevail in our generation as well. That, says Pastor David Jang, is the central message he hopes to convey through his exegesis and preaching on Acts 28.