In today’s study our titles are; Verses 1-13 Paul sails for Rome. Verses 14-38 The storm at sea. Verses 39-44 The ship wreck. In Acts 26 king Agrippa was almost persuaded to be a Christian. More importantly he did not come up with a good excuse for Festus to tell Caesar why Paul was still in bonds. Now Paul is on his way to Rome, Acts 27 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 27:1] And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band.
Julius is a Latin name that means; soft hair. 1. The centurion of the Augustus Band, to whose charge Paul was delivered when he was sent prisoner from Caesarea to Rome. This centurion is directly from Augustus Caesar.
Acts 27:2] And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
[3] And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
Julius knows Paul is innocent of the charges against him. He will give him much freedom that other bond men would not receive. Paul was able to see his friends and get cleaned up a little.
Acts 27:4] And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
[5] And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
[6] And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
Italy is said for Rome. Paul, you’re going to Rome. Acts 23 and verse 11 reads.
Acts 23:11] And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Back to Acts 27 and verse 7 reads.
Acts 27:7] And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
[8] And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
[9] Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
Could this fast be that of the first week of the Feast of Tabernacles? The first week would be for a fast. Let’s go to Leviticus 16 and verse 29 reads.
Lev.16:29] And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:
[30] For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD.
[31] It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.
[32] And the priest, whom he shall anoint, and whom he shall consecrate to minister in the priest’s office in his father’s stead, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen clothes, even the holy garments:
[33] And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation.
Now let’s go to Leviticus 23 and verse 27 reads.
Lev.23:27] Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
[28] And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
[29] For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
Now let me be clear. We do not sacrifice any more, Jesus paid the cost of all blood ordinances. But we are to observe these weeks, the first week for a fast. That would be for fasting in the Word of the LORD. The second week is for the Feast, feasting also on the Word of the LORD. This would give us a date. This would be about September 29th or 30th, September 29th being the day Jesus was born. Now, Paul said above in verse 9 that he wanted them to pay heed to his words and not go forward at this time. Back to Acts 27 and verse 10 reads.
Acts 27:10] And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
[11] Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
Julius would trust the captain of the ship more than Paul on this matter. Unfortunately to the demise of the ship.
Acts 27:12] And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
[13] And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
[14] But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
This would be called a hurricane today in the Atlantic.
Acts 27:15] And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
[16] And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
A very dangerous situation, they are fighting it every step of the way.
Acts 27:17] Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
What this means is; they took ropes and wrapped the hull, going under the ship and girded it, so that they could hold the ship together. Sort of binding it together.
Acts 27:18] And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
Now they are throwing the cargo overboard. This is an extremely dangerous time for the people on the ship.
Acts 27:19] And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
There is another example in God’s Word for what is happening. Let’s go to Jonah 1 and verse 5 reads.
Jonah 1:5] Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.
Though Jonah was running from God and the works that God had planned for him, notice they were afraid. The same is happening with the crew of the ship that Paul is on. First, they strapped the boat together, then they threw overboard the goods of the ship to lighten it. Now, they are throwing overboard even the very tackling that the ship will need in calmer weather. They are afraid, will they listen to Paul? Acts 27 and verse 20 reads.
Acts 27:20] And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
Paul didn’t lose hope. He just wanted to go a different way. Let me remind you of Acts 23 and verse 11 reads.
Acts 23:11] And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
So, you see Paul himself knew that they would make it to Rome, he just warned them that they should go a different way. Back to Acts 27 and verse 21 reads.
Acts 27:21] But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
[22] And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
Paul says, you will lose the ship, but not any man. How will they receive his words after they found him to be right when he warned them about sailing from port?
Acts 27:23] For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
[24] Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Paul said the Lord just told him that all would be saved, but the ship would be lost. Notice that he said God has given all the souls on board to him, to show him that he would indeed go to Rome.
Acts 27:25] Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
[26] Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
They would lose the ship, and be cast onto an island, Paul believes in the Word of God. Elizabeth told Mary these things in Luke 1 and verse 45 reads.
Luke 1:45] And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
[46] And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
[47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
Now let’s go to Romans, where Paul is talking about Abraham, Romans 4 and verse 19 reads.
Rom.4:19] And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
[20] He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
[21] And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
[22] And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Faith in the Word of God is called righteousness. Back to Acts 27 and verse 27 reads.
Acts 27:27] But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
[28] And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
A fathom is 6 feet, by measuring they could see that land was coming up fast. They need to prepare for abandoning ship.
Acts 27:29] Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
Casting their anchors from the back of the ship to keep it off the rocks.
Acts 27:30] And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
These shipmen were trying to save themselves. Think of this for a moment. Who is our Savior? Did not God say all would be saved? They need to listen to Paul because he is the only one who has faith in God at this moment.
Acts 27:31] Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
[32] Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
The soldiers believed Paul this time, and not the captain of the ship. The soldiers have taken control of the situation of the ship.
Acts 27:33] And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
Bringing up the fourteenth day, think of the Feast of Tabernacles. Think spiritually.
Acts 27:34] Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
This word Health should have been translated as safety. Paul told them to eat something for their strength. But listen to what he said. Not a hair on your head. This is God’s word from Luke 21 and verse 17 reads.
Luke 21:17] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.
[18] But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Just thought I would remind you this is what God said to Luke, and Luke was Paul’s scribe. Paul said, not any of you shall perish. Back to Acts 27 and verse 35 reads.
Acts 27:35] And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Think back to when Jesus fed the multitude, Mark 8 and verse 6 reads.
Mark 8:6] And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
Jesus is our example, always give thanks to the LORD before eating. Back to Acts 27 and verse 36 reads.
Acts 27:36] Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
Ok, this is too good to pass up. Did you catch it? Think of the Passover, this was the fourteenth day and they broke bread. He just told them that the Lord was with him and said all would be saved. They also took meat, and we know that it is the Meat, not the milk, that allows all to come to God. This was a spiritual thing going on here. Paul continues…
Acts 27:37] And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
That is 276 Souls. Let’s go to Romans 13 and verse 1 reads.
Rom.13:1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
All souls on board with Paul have become believers in the LORD. Back to Acts 27 and verse 38 reads.
Acts 27:38] And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
They cast out the wheat, the most valuable of the cargo, and prepared for the ship to be abandoned. Think spiritually, cast off your burdens as a camel going through the eye of the needle.
Acts 27:39] And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
They found a place where they would try to land the ship into sand.
Acts 27:40] And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
[41] And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
They were able to run the ship into the sand and it stuck, but the back end was still being battered by the waves. Paul would describe his turmoil for the church in 2Corinthians 11 and verse 24 reads.
2Cor.11:24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
[25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
[26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
[27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
[28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Back to Acts 27 and verse 42 reads.
Acts 27:42] And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
It was their duty to kill any prisoners that tried to escape, but these men are just trying not to die. Paul warned them this was going to happen and that none of the souls would be lost.
Acts 27:43] But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
Paul was a prisoner and they would have killed him also. That’s why Julius intervened. But that they sent the ones that could swim first makes sense, have you ever seen a drowning man, very difficult to save and not drown with them when they panic. Let’s go to 2Peter 2 and verse 9 reads.
2Pet.2:9] The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
The LORD said none would be lost. Back to Acts 27 and verse 44 reads.
Acts 27:44] And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
This was very interesting to me that all that happened to them seemed to fit the Passover, spiritually speaking. Great study today, let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible