Evidence for Christianity
Christian faith is not blind, it’s based on evidence. The Word of God is proved and corroborated by history, archaeology and many other scientific disciplines. The resurrection of Jesus is a historically attested fact as is all of the Bible. When we see this we are faced with a choice to submit to the authority of all of the Bible, or to chose ourselves as the authorities in selecting what we believe to be His Word. One choice leads to love, joy, peace and eternal life, the other to a hopeless future.
Scripture
Acts 28:1-10 ESV After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. [2] The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. [3] When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. [4] When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” [5] He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. [6] They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. [7] Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. [8] It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. [9] And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. [10] They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Through the Scripture
Luke recorded historical fact
The Bible is the Word of God, it is the truth. It doesn’t have mistakes and contradictions, even if it appears to. Some things are hard to understand and believe, but God has given us His Word for a reason. The Voyage to Rome has so much verifiable fact in it’s details so that it can authenticate that which it holds. The truth of the Gospel. If you we trust details of the voyage, we can trust the Gospel of Jesus Christ - the Son of God - who died for our sins and was raised for our justification.
Acts 27:27-28 ESV When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. [28] So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.
Acts 27:39-41 ESV Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. [40] So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. [41] But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.
Psalms 19:7-9 ESV The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; [8] the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9] the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
A kind welcome from a people in need
The people are called natives (or barbaroi in Greek). This means they were not Jews, Greeks or Romans, this not only verifies the historical fact but reminds us of God’s love for all his people. We’re all made in His image and capable of showing unusual kindness, but that doesn’t mean we’re in a right relationship with Him or have any chance of escaping justice for the wrong we also do. Nice people still need the Gospel. We need His grace, just like these people did.
Acts 28:1-2 ESV After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. [2] The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Titus 3:5-6 ESV he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
The people need truth and grace
The facts again confirm the truth, although there are not currently venomous snakes on Malta there probably were, but even if there weren’t - the behaviour of this snake matches the ones that still are there. Apart from revealing the historical facts, we can see human nature revealed. Bad things happen to bad people, some sort of impersonal justice or man-made god is supposed to ensure that evil is punished. They weren’t wrong about Paul being a murderer, but they were so wrong about justice, and had no idea about mercy and grace. People can be nice and yet have no clue about the most critical information human beings need, the Gospel. Without that we’re totally lost, nice or not.
Acts 28:3-4 ESV When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. [4] When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”
Acts 7:58-60 ESV Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. [59] And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” [60] And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 ESV For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. [10] But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
The people need the One true God
Just like the people of Malta, we live in a world that believes it’s enough to be nicer than most people in order to be right with God. We can all find our own way to the gods of our choosing, as long as we are kind to each other. Having no clue about the grace and mercy of the one true God, the people turn their worship to the created rather than the creator. They have no excuse for doing this, and will face judgement for denying the One true God. Without a real relationship with God through faith in Christ, we will all face the just wrath of God. How wonderful that God sent His messengers to Malta, and to us.
Acts 28:5-6 ESV He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. [6] They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Romans 1:18-23 ESV For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. [19] For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. [20] For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. [21] For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Claiming to be wise, they became fools, [23] and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
God blesses us with each other
The title Luke gives Publius and the way his home is described is more historical evidence verifying the account, but it also reveals how different Paul, Luke and Aristarchus are. They are being persecuted by the Roman government, and yet show nothing but love to it’s representatives. Jewish Zealots would never have accepted hospitality from the enemy, but they did in obedience to Jesus. We need to remember this.
Acts 28:7 ESV Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
Matthew 5:43-45 ESV “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Blessing others with what God has given us
Paul’s medical terminology probably describes Maltese fever, another verification of facts. He prays for healing and God grants it. The Christians are being faithful and obedient despite their circumstances and are not just being a blessing as a result, but are being blessed. God uses this powerfully to bring change.
Acts 28:8-9 ESV It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. [9] And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
Matthew 10:7-8 ESV And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
The planted seeds will lead to a great harvest
The people continue in their generosity and kindness, but there seems to be no spiritual outcome. The Christians leave after three months on Malta without seeing spiritual breakthrough, no Church planted, no mass conversions. Or were there? History again bears witness to the early Christian community that dominated this Island and still does to this day. There is a Church for every square kilometre of Malta. They planted the seeds, Jesus built His Church. Thank our Father in Heaven that we can learn from their faith and obedience.
Acts 28:10 ESV They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Matthew 13:31-32 ESV He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. [32] It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Mark 4:26-29 ESV And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. [27] He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. [28] The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. [29] But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”