Series: The Birth of the Church (Acts)

Preacher: Ps. James Tang

Date: 29th March 2026

Passage: Acts 27-28

Sermon Summary:

The finale of Acts ends in a whirlwind: after being caught in a storm, Paul and those with him are lost at sea and without food. (27:14-26) When they finally land, shipwrecked, on the island of Malta, Paul is then bitten by a viper as he helps to start a fire. (28:2-4) But because God’s will is for Paul to reach Rome and to stand before Caesar, all those on the ship with Paul are alive and well (27:23-24). Though the native people of Malta were expecting Paul to swell up or to suddenly fall dead from the viper’s bite, nothing happened. (28:4-6)

In fact, Paul’s treatment as a prisoner in Rome isn’t bad at all. Though he was perpetually chained to a soldier who guarded him, he was allowed to stay by himself with his own earnings. (28:16, 30) For two years Paul lived in Rome, welcoming all those who visited him and proclaiming the kingdom of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. (v.31)

This is where the book of Acts ends—Luke doesn’t say that Paul had the chance to meet Caesar, and it’s likely he didn’t meet his end here. Church tradition maintains that Paul visited Spain after Rome, which for him would have been the ends of the earth. Dogged, determined Paul had fought the good fight. In 2 Timothy, which is believed to be the final letter he ever wrote, Paul describes himself as having been “poured out as a drink offering”, having finished the race and kept the faith. (2 Tim. 4:6-7) How many of us can say the same?

Though the ending to the book of Acts may seem abrupt, it tells us two things: firstly, that the protagonist of Acts was always God, not Paul or Peter, nor anyone else. Secondly, Acts 28 now points towards us and asks—will you go? Will you follow in Paul’s footsteps, church? Will you obey and go?