A shipwreck landed Paul and others on an island called Melita (Acts 28:1). The Bible says that those people of that land were barbarians. When a viper latched onto Paul’s arm, these barbarians assumed that this was judgment because of some crime he had committed (Acts 28:3-4). When Paul simply shook off the viper into the fire and remained unharmed, the people claimed that Paul must have been a god (Acts 28:6). Although these people were superstitious and ignorant concerning the truth, it appears that they had an understanding of hospitality. Because of the rain and cold, the native people kindled a fire and received Paul and those with him. In addition to this, a man named Publius received Paul and lodged him three days. The world should never consistently display more hospitality than Christians.
Even since the Garden in Eden, God never intended for man to consider Him to be distant or unapproachable. In fact, the Bible repeatedly points out the opposite scenario. God's word proclaims that the Lord did not merely claim His followers as servants, but referred to them as His friends! He specifically referred to Abraham as the "friend of God" (2 Chronicles 20:7; James 2:23). He spoke to Moses “face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend” (Exodus 33:11). These are not the actions of a God who desires separation from His creation. Though this intimate association with God seems remote and only expressed on a few occasions, John points out that we too can be God's friends (if we obey Him). This friendship must be based on mutual grounds because those who love the Lord are never lovers of the world. James 4:4 points out that “friendship of the world is enmity with God.” Though it appears that few people were called the friend of God, John chapter 15 suggests that this honour is much more prevalent than would appear. Christ told His followers, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14). Furthermore, Christ laid down His life for His friends (John 15:13).
