
WOW: Women of Wisdom
Acts 28 Paul Arrives in Rome | Deborah Akins
To access video of our morning together, click the Jumpshare link below. https://jumpshare.com/share/pgo9oX9FmlUkjq3DIcSw Acts Chapter 28 Deborah Akins WOW Lesson 22 April 29, 2026 The Five P’s: Navigating the Wild Ride of Faith I. Introduction: The Wild Ride The Acts Thriller: Acknowledging the "action-packed" nature of the book (riots, jailbreaks, shipwrecks). The Global Impact: The Gospel reaching the Gentiles and changing the world. The Framework: Introducing the four P’s as a way to categorize the book. II. People The Cast of Acts: Leaders: Peter, Stephen, Barnabas, Ethiopian Eunuch, Publius, Paul. Officials: Felix, Festus, Agrippa, Cornelius. Laypeople: Lydia, Tabitha, Paul’s nephew, Apollos, Aquila, Timothy, Natives of Malta. Life Review: Recognizing that God uses, appoints, and assigns people in our own lives to encourage, challenge, or test us. III. Places & Plans Places: From Jerusalem to Samaria; to Rome by land and sea. Plans: The Father’s plan: Sending the Holy Spirit. Plans to execute Peter or Saul’s plan to wipe out "The Way." IV. Problems The Formula: People + Places + Plans = Problems. Transition: Acts as a book of transitions (Jesus to Apostles; Old Covenant to New Covenant). Problems: Neglect of widows, prejudice, shipwrecks, and snake bites. Personal Transitions: From home to independence, singleness, marriage, widowhood, aging, and career changes. The Pivot: Have we "kicked against the pricks" or listened and cooperated like Cornelius? V. The Malta Ministry: (Acts 28:1-11) Survival at Malta: 276 people making it to shore (even the non-swimmers). The Snake: Paul shaking off the viper and the natives’ changing perspectives. The Healing of the Leader’s Father: Healing the leader’s father. Focus: "Set your mind on His purposes, not the persecutor" (Keen) (and not the problem). VI. Providence (Acts 28:12-16) The South Wind: Learning to rely on God’s hand rather than deceptive "south winds." The Arrival in Rome: Meeting the believers at Appii Forum; Paul taking courage. The Hallelujah Moment: Paul in his own rented house, guarded but free to preach. VII. The Bonus P The Jewish Leaders in Rome (vv. 17-29): Paul’s final appeal and the warning from Isaiah 6. Two Types of Peace: Peace WITH God: Repenting of self-righteousness; submitting to Christ’s blood (Romans 10:3). Peace OF God: Cooperating with the People, Places, Plans, and Problems God allows. The Surgical Consult Analogy: The absurdity of "running the show" during God's spiritual surgery. Final Call: It is God’s providential plans that bring us to Peace. VIII. Closing Prayer Notes: The law and the prophets speak of the Messiah’s coming Genesis 3:15; 26:4 Psalm 2:6-12; 40:6-8; 110:1-4 2 Samuel 7:12,13 Job 19:25 Jeremiah 23:5-6; 33:14-17 Ezekiel 17:22-23 Isaiah 4:2; 7:14; 9:6-7; 11:1-5; 53:10-12 The Hope of Israel — “More than a resurrection, it meant fulfillment of the Old Testament promises to Israel. Paul firmly believed Jesus is the Messiah of Israel who will return someday and establish Himself as the King of Israel and Lord of the nations” (Walvoord & Zuck).

