Acts 27

1 And when it was determined that we would sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. 2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; and one Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. 3 The next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul courteously and gave him freedom to go to his friends to refresh himself. 4 And when we had launched from there, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 When we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy and he put us on it. 7 When we had sailed slowly many days and scarcely came over against Cnidus, the wind not allowing us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; 8 and hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; near the city of Lasea.

God warned of danger through Paul

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast (wind) was already past, Paul admonished them, 10 and said to them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than the things which Paul spoke.12 And because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to leave there, if somehow they might get to Phoenice and winter there; which is a haven of Crete that lies toward the southwest and northwest. 13 And when the south wind blew softly, assuming that they had gained their purpose, they loosed and sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after that a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon beat against it. 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 inlet called Clauda, we were hardly able to get mastery of the boat: 17 After hoisting it up they used supporting cables to undergird the ship; and fearing that they would run aground on Syrtis, they lowered the tackle and were driven along.

The angel of the Lord stands by us to save us and those with us

18 And being violently storm tossed, the next day they lightened the ship; 19 And the third day they threw out the ships tackle with their hands. 20 And when neither sun nor stars appeared in many days, and no small storm assailed us, all hope of being saved was lost. 21 But after long abstinence, Paul stood out in the midst of them and said, Sirs, you should have listened to me and not set sail from Crete and have gained this harm and loss. 22 But now I urge you to be of good cheer: for there will be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. 23 For tonight, the angel of God stood by me, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 saying, Do not fear, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar: and behold, God has given you all those that sail with you.

• Psalm 107:23-31 Those that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commands, and raises the stormy wind that lifts up the waves. 28 Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distresses. 29 He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still. 30 Then are they glad because they are quiet; so he brings them to their desired haven.

25 Therefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God that it will be as it was told me. 26 However we must run aground on a certain island. 27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen thought 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. 29 Then, fearing that we would fall on the rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for the day. 30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color, as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Unless these stay in the ship you cannot be saved. 32 Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the boat and let her fall off. 33 And while the day was coming on, Paul urged them all to take food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and continued fasting, having eaten nothing. 34 So I beg you to take some food: for this is for your health: for not a hair will fall from the head of any of you. 35 And when he had spoken this, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36 Then they all were of good cheer, and they also took some food. 37 All of us in the ship were 276 souls.

• Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and cast out the wheat into the sea. 39 And when it was day they did not know the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into which they resolved, if possible, to drive in the ship. 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea, loosened the rudder bands, hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41 And striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast and remained unmovable, but the back part was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so none of them could swim out and escape. 43 But the centurion, being minded to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that those who could swim cast themselves first into the sea and get to land. 44 And the rest go, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safely to land.

• Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, do not fear or be afraid of them: for the LORD your God, he it is that goes with you; he will not fail you, or forsake you.

                                                Acts 28

God healed through Paul

1 And when they had escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the native people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire and received every one of us because of the present rain and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the natives saw the venomous beast hang on his hand they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance does not allow him to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire and felt no harm. 6 They expected him to swell up and suddenly fall down dead: but after they had watched a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. 7 In the same area were lands of the chief of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us and lodged us courteously three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery: to whom Paul entered in and prayed and laid his hands on him and healed him.

• Mark 16:18 They will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

• Matthew 12:15 … and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all

God is to be thanked in all situations in life

9 So when this was done, others who had diseases in the island came and were healed: 10 who honored us with many honors. And when we departed, they loaded us with necessary things. 11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria that had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 Tacking from there we came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 where we found brothers and were begged by them to stay with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15 And from there, when the brothers heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw them he thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier that guarded him.

• Paul was a prisoner of Rome but private accommodations were provided.

• Philippians 4:19 But my God will supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

17 And it happened after three days that Paul called the leading Jews together: and when they were assembled, he said to them, Men and brothers, though I have committed nothing against the people or customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 Who, when they had examined me would have let me go because there were no grounds for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar; not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 For this cause I have called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21 And they said to him, We neither received letters out of Judea concerning you, nor any of the brothers arrived and reported evil against you. 22 But we want to hear what you think: for this sect is spoken against everywhere. 23 And when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning until evening.

• God’s work is not hindered by difficult circumstances.

• Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

24 And some believed the things that were spoken, and some did not believe. 25 And when they disagreed among themselves, they left after that Paul had spoken one word, The Holy Spirit spoke rightly by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying, Go to this people and say, Hearing you will hear, and will not understand; and seeing you will see and not perceive: 27 For the heart of this people has grown fat, and their ears are dull of hearing; they have closed their eyes so that they do not see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart, and be turned and I heal them.

• The Holy Spirit is always striving with man. These refused to listen.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they did not receive the love of the truth so that they might be saved.

God sent His salvation to the Gentiles

28 So let it be known to you that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles and they will hear it. 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. 30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented quarters, and received all that came in to him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

• Many Jewish individuals received Christ as Savior, but as a nation, they rejected the only Savior (Acts 4:12).
• Paul did more from prison than while free.
• Being imprisoned forced him to write letters to the church that are still speaking today.

• Revelation 3:8 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name.

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SUMMARY: Acts 27-28

• God warned of danger through Paul
• The angel of the Lord stands by us to save us and those with us
• God healed through Paul
• God is to be thanked in all situations in life
• God sent His salvation to the Gentiles