NOVEMBER 12 ACTS 27-28

November 12, 2014

Acts 27-28

These two chapters form one of the most exciting stretches in Scripture. 

Storm at Sea

Paul, still a prisoner, accompanied by Aristarchus and Luke (note the “we”), is put in the custody of a Centurion named Julius, and off they go, on board a ship heading west. After several stops, they arrive at Fair Havens along the south coast of Crete.

Then the adventure begins. Against Paul’s advice, and the portent of rocky weather, the ship-owner decides to head for Rome. As they sail away from Crete, a gentle south wind turns into a violent “northeaster.” Days and days they sail in the dark and are at the mercy of the storm. They give up all hope, until Paul assures them of God’s watch-care: “Only the ship will be destroyed; you will survive.” 

Shipwreck

On the fourteenth day of their distress, the sailors sense they were nearing land, and some of them sought to abandon ship. Paul told Julius, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.” And his soldiers cut the ropes that held the life-boats.

Then Paul urges them to eat. When they do, they throw the rest of their grain into the sea. The next morning, they see land and a sand bar, where they think they might run aground. They did, and the ship begins to break apart.

Even then, they might not have survived, for the soldiers thought they should kill all the prisoners to prevent them from escaping. That would have been the end of Paul. But their leader, Julius, prevents them. The swimmers swim ashore and the non-swimmers hold onto pieces of the ship. Everyone makes it!

Snakebite

The islanders welcome them by building a fire. While Paul is gathering wood, he disturbs a viper that attaches itself to his hand. The people think he’s cursed, done for, but when he shows no ill effects, they change their minds and say: he’s a god. The island is Malta, and while they are there, Paul praysd for the chief official’s father, and he is healed!

On to Rome

Three months later, they sail to Rome in a ship called “Castor and Pollux.” They are welcomed by the church, but Paul must remain under house arrest until his trial. But he certainly makes good use of the time, preaching and encouraging all who come. With these two chapters, we come to the abrupt end of Acts. We want to know what happens next. And many a Bible teacher has said: the book doesn’t really end, for the “acts” of the Holy Spirit continue through us!

Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,

Pastor Gary