The Acts of the Apostles December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel 1 “Acts 27:1-44 Paul’s Witness During Shipwreck” Acts 27:1-13 – Paul is sent to Rome –King Agrippa heard the gospel and was almost converted. finds Paul innocent yet sends him and other prisoners to Rome. –Acts 26:32 - Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

The Acts of the Apostles December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel 2 “Acts 27:1-44 Paul’s Witness During Shipwreck” –Paul had been in prison now for 2 years. Where were Silus, Luke, Timothy, and Barnabus during these days? –Not mentioned »For the most part Paul was a loner. –And when it was determined (by Festus – Acts 25:12), the trip is led by a centurion of Augustus band (~500 men). We know Luke was with Paul during the trip because of this detailed description here in Acts 27 (his last time with Paul noted in Acts 21:18). »Acts 27:2 - Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was also with them (Acts 19:29, 20:4; Col 4:10; Phm 1:24). –The ship was from Adramyttium and the route was along the Asian coast (Asia Minor). At Sidon (in Phoenicia ~70 miles north of Caesarea) Julius alludes to the support of Felix and his own by courteously allowing Paul to see friends. –What friends? –The shelter of Cyprus is noted (v.4) because the wind was contrary.

The Acts of the Apostles December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel 3 “Acts 27:1-44 Paul’s Witness During Shipwreck” –When they reached Myra, they boarded another ship, this one from Alexandria laden with wheat (v.38), sailing to Italy. –Then they sailed slowly and south near Cnidus, because the wind made it more difficult, and they were partially sheltered by Crete. –Why does Paul mention the Fast (Lev 23:17, the Jewish great day of Atonement in late October) being over? Likely reflects a time of year when the sea became more treacherous. –Paul warns the group, Acts 27:10 “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” Didn’t Paul really believe God that his destiny was to go to Rome? But the centurion was not persuaded, and believed the helmsman (master or pilot) and the owner of the ship more than Paul, and they sail in hope to reach Phoenix with assistance of the southern breeze –rerouted back north. Acts 27:14-20 – The tempestuous storm

The Acts of the Apostles December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel 4 “Acts 27:1-44 Paul’s Witness During Shipwreck” –But not long after, a tempestuous head wind (hurricane) arose, called Euroclydon. Near Clauda (SW of Crete) they are blown ~25 miles backward –Then near the African coast a series of steps are taken to survive. The skiff (small boat) was secured with difficulty. Cables were used to undergird the ship. –Can you imagine? They struck sail to avoid hitting Syrtis (quicksand's near African coast). On the third day the ship was lightened. The ship’s tackle was cast overboard. –No sun, no stars, no hope. Acts 27:21-44 Paul’s leadership portrayed –After long abstinence of food, Paul states he had told them so. Is this flesh or spirit-led? Why no food, verse 33 indicates that thee was food on board, s easick?

The Acts of the Apostles December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel 5 “Acts 27:1-44 Paul’s Witness During Shipwreck” –Paul exhorts them in good cheer - the ship but no lives will be lost. Is this flesh or spirit-led? –Verses indicates that this is of God and told to him by an angel of the Lord (Acts 16:9, 23:11), and he will be brought before Caesar. –Paul proclaims that they must try to be grounded. On the 14 th night (after Fair Havens) a nearby island is perceived. –Initially 20 fathoms (~120 feet) and then 15 fathoms (~90 feet) away. »Fearing rocks 4 anchors were dropped and they prayed for day to come. »And when some of the seamen wanted to flee the ship Paul warned the centurion unless these men stay onboard you cannot be saved (v. 31). »Who is ‘you’? –The ropes to the skiff are then cut and the boat falls off. –And without food for 14 days, Paul urges all to consume some nourishment, and no hair will fall from their heads. No hair to fall from their heads – I Sam 14:45; I Kings 1:52 Paul gives thanks to God and breaks bread for the 276 on board (all of good cheer) – a Lord’s Table?

The Acts of the Apostles December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel 6 “Acts 27:1-44 Paul’s Witness During Shipwreck” –Wheat is then cast overboard to lighten the ship and day breaks. –Observing creek with a shore (bay), anchors were cut and the mainsail hoisted – v. 40. –But then bad things happen. They strike a place where two seas meet and ran the ship aground. The front of the boat became stuck and the stern was broken by the strength of the waves. –The soldiers then wanted to kill the prisoners to prevent their escape – the world view, and even ours at times? The centurion had other ideas. –He wanted to spare Paul and commanded those who could swim should jump overboard and swim to land. –And others on boards or parts of ship also reached land (Malta – Acts 28:1). Is this simply a beautiful description of a sequence of events by Luke, or can/should we spiritualize this section?