Where is this coming from?

Acts 28 contains an interesting set of events. Paul was part of a shipwreck while he was being transported to Rome. The crew and all the prisoners ended up on the Island of Malta, and the natives received them warmly (verse 2). When Paul went to gather some sticks, a viper fastened itself to his hand (verse 3). Notice the reaction of the natives.

The text tells us that when the natives saw that Paul had been bitten, they thought, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow him to live,” (verse 4). Where did this idea come from? To some people, it must certainly mean something that a man survived a shipwreck and swam to shore only to be bitten by a venomous snake bite him. To the people of Malta, it seemed obvious that Paul is guilty.

Paul shook off the viper into the fire, and his hand did not swell up. The people of Malta then reasoned that Paul was a god (verse 5-6). Again, to some people it certainly must mean something that a person who already survived the shipwreck could also survive the snake bite. To the people of Malta, it seemed obvious that Paul must be a god if he could endure the bite without even any swelling.

Reading this text reminds me of Ephesians 4:14. This is where the brethren were told not to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. The people on the island of Malta were all over the map with their reasoning. They were too quick to draw conclusions, just as we see many people do today. Here is why people often think the way they do:

Their beliefs are not based upon fact. Whether superstitions or the traditions of men, people can easily convince themselves of things. Regardless of the conclusion, these ideas all come from the mind of man. In other words, they believe whatever they want (Matt. 15:9; 16:13-14). When you push people about where their beliefs come from, you will usually find that the ideas came from man and not the Lord.

They were impatient and wanted to believe quickly without inquiring. This is why Paul used children as an example in Ephesians 4. Christians were told not to be like children being tossed to and fro. Children are quick to believe and trust blindly. This is exactly what happened with the people of Malta when the viper bit Paul. They did not even ask Paul why he did not swell. Clearly, we need to ask (Matt. 7:7). We can have the truth if we seek it (John 8:32). It is far easier to just believe what everyone else does rather than verifying it.

 Their “logic” excluded other possibilities. The people of Malta concluded that Paul was a murderer and then that Paul was a god, yet neither were true. Rather than investigating, the conclusions were drawn quickly (and erroneously). This is a common problem today as well. People believe things to the point that their minds are closed, and there is no room for discussion. Without a willingness to consider other viewpoints, the odds of coming to a proper conclusion are zero! This is what our Savior was taught when He was punished: “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” (John 18:23).  Jesus was not rejecting the idea of being accused – He was rightfully demanding that it be proven.

They did not know any better. We should not be surprised when people believe falsehoods. The text in Acts 28 reveals that Paul healed and helped many people on Malta (verse 8). Eventually, Paul was able to talk about the God of heaven and how He gets the glory. It was never about Paul, and he knew that. Just because man does not know better does not mean they are without excuse – they all need to hear the truth (Rom. 10:14-16).

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Chuck

It doesn’t make you a false teacher 

 The apostle Paul, like the other apostles, found himself being falsely accused. It can be very frustrating for anyone who has people attack their character with accusations that are not true. On top of that, what makes it worse is when people believe it. The reason these evil doers have success, is because they poison the minds of folks (Acts 14:2). Those who teach God’s word, are not guilty simply because they… 

…have confidence in what they say

Just because someone speaks with conviction, it doesn’t automatically mean they are arrogant and wrong in what they say. Having said that, we must, at the same time interject that being confident in what you believe doesn’t mean you are automatically right (Acts 18:24-26). But back to our first point. There are those who react negatively to someone who speaks with certainty. This does not make a person false teacher. As a matter of fact, one ought to be a little apprehensive to believe someone who is unsure (II Tim. 4:2-5).

…expose those in opposition

It seems politically correct for individuals to stand for something, without standing against. Such should not be the case religiously. How can you stand for truth without standing against error? I know it makes people mad when someone tells them they are wrong, but it doesn’t make someone a false teacher simply because they point the finger (Psa. 119:104; I Jn. 4:1).

…don’t create a grey area

Faithful teachers get themselves in all kinds of hot water when they speak in absolutes. It’s easy to accuse someone by labeling them to others by uttering, “It’s their way or the highway!”  In truth, it is to be the Lord’s way, regardless. The gospel doesn’t leave any wiggle room for those who want to tweak it a little (Gal. 1:6-9; II Jn. 9). When you say that there is but one way, you will find yourself in hot water pretty quick.  The fact is, it doesn’t make you a false teacher when you are uncompromising.

…changed their beliefs

This was the very tactic they used on Paul. They wondered how this person who once persecuted those who followed Christ, now preached Christ (Acts 9:21,23). Just because someone changed what he once believed, doesn’t mean they are a false teacher. It wouldn’t make sense to for someone who realized they were wrong, to change and not share the reasons why. It seems proper to tell others why you changed.

…accepted money for preaching

Knowing that there are plenty of false teachers that are making mega amounts of money for their work, understandably, people are turned off of religion because of that. However, for someone who preaches the gospel and accepts a living wage, it doesn’t mean they are automatically a false teacher. Godly men can accept a wage, just as they did in New Testament times (II Cor. 11:8; I Tim. 5:18). Those who are in it for the money, do so for all the wrong reasons.

…are accused by other teachers

One is not qualified to say someone else is wrong, just because they claim to be someone special. The religious leaders in Christ’s time swayed the people simply because they were “teachers” (Matt. 27:15-26).  Since when is it acceptable for false teachers to accuse, but not be accused? The truth is, there are good reasons to find fault, but these six facts don’t prove anything automatically.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Chuck