Acts 27:1-13

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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 271-44 Pauls Witness During Shipwreck

• Acts 271-13 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 2632 - Then Agrippa said to Festus, This
  man might have been set free if he had not
  appealed to Caesar.

December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel
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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 271-44 Pauls 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
  2512), 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 2118).
• Acts 272 - Aristarchus, a Macedonian of
  Thessalonica, was also with them (Acts 1929,
  204 Col 410 Phm 124).
• 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.

December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel
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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 271-44 Pauls 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 2317, 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 2710 Men, I perceive
  that this voyage will end with disaster and much
  loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also
  our lives.
• Didnt 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 2714-20 The tempestuous storm

December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel
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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 271-44 Pauls 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 ships tackle was cast overboard.
• No sun, no stars, no hope.
• Acts 2721-44 Pauls 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, seasick?

December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel
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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 271-44 Pauls Witness During Shipwreck

• Paul exhorts them in good cheer - the ship but no
  lives will be lost.
• Is this flesh or spirit-led?
• Verses 23-25 indicates that this is of God and
  told to him by an angel of the Lord (Acts 169,
  2311), and he will be brought before Caesar.
• Paul proclaims that they must try to be grounded.
  
• On the 14th 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 1445 I
  Kings 152
• Paul gives thanks to God and breaks bread for the
  276 on board (all of good cheer) a Lords
  Table?

December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel
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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 271-44 Pauls 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 281).
• Is this simply a beautiful description of a
  sequence of events by Luke, or can/should we
  spiritualize this section?

December 14, 2014 Bob Eckel
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