“After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 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. 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. 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.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 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. 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. 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. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.” (Acts 28:1-10) 

Paul’s visit on Malta was a strange one indeed. That visit, along with a verse in Mark, started its own offshoot of Christianity. It’s stories like this that show why it is so important to get a solid handle on our biblical exegesis (or interpretation). By looking at these statements alone, we can Jesus and Paul both championing this activity. But looking at single verses and statements alone will only lead us to errors. We must study and understand what the scriptures say in context with the verses around it, the book as a whole, along with the entirety of scripture before we can focus in on a meaning. 

In Mark, this statement is included as part of the Great Commission – Jesus final words to the disciples as he ascended in to Heaven. It was connected to a purpose – being His witnesses – and went along with other acts only accomplishable by the work of the Holy Spirit. In Acts, that’s exactly how the situation happened. Paul was looking for an inroad to share his faith with the people of Malta, and God brought this about in a way that would speak to those people. It’s all part of the purpose and included people getting healed and coming to faith in Christ. 

It’s important to know that Paul was not looking to show off here, or create a crazy situation that would show people what God was like. It was something the Holy Spirit brought to pass to use to encourage people to listen to Paul. In our mission, there are no gimmicks or tricks that the Holy Spirit uses (regularly or occasionally); there is no magic program or formula that will make the church grow or be successful in its purpose of winning the lost. The only thing the church can be sure of is that when they focus on Jesus alone and live their lives as His ambassadors, fully and genuinely, chances are good that He will bring others to a church like that.

What can we learn from this? Don’t try to grow or try to be successful. Be purposeful, focused on Jesus and the mission, and see whom He brings to your door.