Acts 28

Signs promised by Christ

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Acts 28:5–9

The risen Jesus promised believers would take up serpents unharmed and lay hands on the sick to heal them. Both happen to Paul on Malta through Christ's power.

• fulfils Mark 16:17-18 — They shall take up serpents ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
• fulfils Luke 10:19 — Power to tread on serpents, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Hope of Israel

Hope of Israel — the Lord in whom Israel's promised deliverance rests

For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. Acts 28:20

Paul is in chains for 'the hope of Israel' — the promised Messiah and the resurrection He brings. Jeremiah used the same phrase as a name for the LORD, Jehovah, who is Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in Jeremiah 17:13 — O LORD, the hope of Israel.
• the same title in Jeremiah 14:8 — O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble.
• interpreted by Acts 26:6-7 — The hope of the promise made unto the fathers.

Jesus

Jesus — Jehovah saves

And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Acts 28:23

Paul spends a whole day showing from the law of Moses and the prophets that they testify of Jesus — a model for reading the Old Testament as a witness of Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Luke 24:27 — Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, Jesus expounded the things concerning Himself.
• alludes to Acts 26:22-23 — Paul says nothing but what the prophets and Moses said should come.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the premortal name of Jesus Christ, the Great I AM

And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Acts 28:25–27

Paul quotes Isaiah's call, where the Lord says 'I should heal them'. John teaches that Isaiah saw Christ's glory in that vision, so the healer who longs to convert Israel is Jehovah, the premortal Jesus.

• quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 — The original words spoken to Isaiah by the Lord.
• interpreted by John 12:40-41 — Isaiah said these things when he saw His glory, and spake of Him.

Savior

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. Acts 28:28

In Luke's writings 'the salvation of God' points to Jesus Himself, whom Simeon called God's salvation, a light to the Gentiles. That salvation now goes to all nations.

• alludes to Luke 2:30-32 — Mine eyes have seen thy salvation ... a light to lighten the Gentiles.
• alludes to Luke 3:6 — All flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ — Jehovah saves, the Anointed One

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Acts 28:31

Acts ends with Paul boldly teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ in Rome, exactly as the Lord promised him. The gospel has reached the capital of the world.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfils Acts 23:11 — So must thou bear witness also at Rome.
• fulfils Acts 1:8 — Ye shall be witnesses unto me ... unto the uttermost part of the earth.