Acts Chapter 27
Paul later tells in the book of 2 Corinthians that he was shipwrecked three times. This particular incident was incredibly described by the writer Luke. We can almost visualize the scenes as if in a movie. This is the account of Paul being out to sea for many days as a prisoner and experiencing the worst of worst conditions on a vessel and then being shipwrecked and surviving the whole ordeal. We tend to think of the ancient world as primitive, but this account will describe a very sophisticated vessel that was carrying 276 passengers. This was a massive ship.
Let's Reflect
1. Paul was not the only prisoner on board the ship that was to be delivered to Rome. But Paul was most likely the only innocent man being transported. Paul had the favor of Julius the centurion assigned to escort Paul. Paul was allowed to have his two companions travel with him. One was Luke (the author of Acts) and the other was Aristarchus. Where was he from?
2. When they made a stop at Sidon what did Julius allow Paul to do?
3. Verse 4 describes them boarding a different vessel. This one is most likely a grain cargo ship sailing to Italy, the one that will be wrecked in the storm waters. Luke describes the time of year that they are sailing as being the start of winter. In verse 9 he states that the Fast had already passed. This is also known as the Day of Atonement. This remembrance day took place in early October. What did Paul think about them sailing in the winter and did they listen to him?
4. They hoisted anchor and tried to sail on. But there was a huge windstorm coming at them not letting them move forward. What was that type of windstorm called?
5. I do not have any experience in sailing, but somehow, they secured ropes around the belly of the boat to help hold the boat together in the storm. What did they throw overboard to lighten their load and to keep from running aground?
6. Verse 20 describes just how bad the storm was. Were they able to see where they were going?
7. Paul had warned them not to make this trip and he reminded them of that. But he also brought them encouragement. He gave them assurance that they would survive. How did he know that?
8. At one point they were some men who were going to try to escape on lifeboats. Paul advised against that. Did they listen to Paul this time?
9. Paul urged the passengers to eat. They had not wanted to eat with the ship being tossed all over in the waves. {I would be so sick!} But they were going to need the strength they would get from eating. Paul had been given an assurance that they would all survive. To lighten the ship more, what did they throw overboard?
10. The ship was run aground on a reef and began to break apart. The plan was to kill the prisoners on board, but the centurion stopped that plan, why? Did everyone onboard that ship survive? God is good!
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