Paul on Malta - with nice natives - Audio

After the ship ran aground and was destroyed in the surf, all the people escaped to shore, and learned they were on the island of Malta. The natives were extremely hospitable and built warming fires for them, as well as providing for all their needs. As the fires were built, Paul helped to gather sticks for fuel. In the process of putting them on the fire, a viper attached itself to Paul's hand and was quickly shaken off into the fire. Nothing happened to Paul and the natives thought he was a god. The leader of the island, Publius, generously entertained them for three days, and when his father was ill, Paul prayed and the Lord healed him. As a result, many of Malta's sick came to Paul and were healed. Historically, many on the island became Christians and Malta is, today, a Christian nation. We must be careful that just because someone is "nice," as the Maltese were, that we don't shy from preaching the gospel. Niceness does not equal salvation.