"extraordinary kindness"' Acts 28:1-10. How did the people of Malta show "extraordinary kindness", and what miracle did God perform through Paul?

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In Acts 28:1-10, after the shipwreck, the apostle Paul and the other survivors found themselves on the island of Malta. The people of Malta demonstrated "extraordinary kindness" in several ways:

  1. Welcoming the Survivors: The locals showed immediate compassion by welcoming Paul and the other shipwrecked sailors. Despite the situation being unexpected and the survivors being outsiders, the Maltese people took them in.

  2. Providing for Their Needs: The inhabitants of Malta built a fire to warm the cold and drenched survivors and also provided for their basic needs. This act of hospitality exemplifies their kindness and generosity.

In terms of the miracle that God performed through Paul, the narrative describes an incident where Paul was gathering firewood and was bitten by a viper. Instead of succumbing to the poison, Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. This miracle led the Maltese people to recognize Paul as a man of God, and they shifted from thinking he was a criminal condemned by fate to believing he was a divine messenger. Subsequently, Paul also healed the father of Publius, the chief official of the island, and many others who were sick. These acts further established Paul's credibility and the power of God working through him, leading to many people on the island coming to faith.

Overall, the passage highlights the themes of hospitality, divine protection, and healing, showcasing the kindness of the Maltese and God's miraculous work through Paul.