123. SHIPWRECK ON THE WAY TO ROME

"Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar".

Aim

To show how God brought Paul to Rome and never forsook him, although he faced many dangers.

Paul had been in prison for more than two years even though he was innocent of any crime Yet he had appealed to Caesar. Therefore Festus could not set him, free. He must send the apostle to Rome The Lord Jesus had said to him: "I will send thee far hence to the Gentiles" (22:21), and Paul had made long journeys by land and sea. However, the most dangerous journey was now before him,, and in the midst of great dangers God, by His angel, encouraged the apostle once again.

Acts 27:1-38

THE LONG JOURNEY BEGINS (vv. 1-12)

Paul was taken with other prisoners aboard a ship bound for Italy. His friends, Luke and Aristarchus, were with him. A centurion named Julius had been given charge of Paul and he had to guard the apostle with his life. Julius would have received a good report of Paul from Festus, the Roman Governor, and no doubt Paul had made it clear that he was going to Rome because he wanted to preach the Gospel there. When they came to Sidon, early in the voyage, Julius very kindly allowed Paul to go ashore and visit his friends a privilege not given to other prisoners.

When they reached Myra they had to change ships. Their new vessel was carrying wheat from Alexandria (in Egypt) to Rome, and there were 276 people on board, counting crew and passengers.

The voyage was slow and difficult. When they left Myra, they wanted to sail west to Cnidus, which would have been a safe harbour to shelter in. (Follow the journey on the map). But the wind blew so strongly against them that they were forced to head south for the island of Crete. At last they reached Fair Havens, a port on the south side of Crete. Autumn was turning to winter and Paul warned the Master of the ship that gales would meet them at sea and it would be dangerous to continue. The Captain, however, did not think much of Fair Havens and thought it would be better to go at least to a better harbour about 65 km. farther on and shelter there till winter was past. The Centurion agreed with the Captain and so they hauled in anchor and set sail.

IN PERIL ON THE SEA (vv. 13-20)

A pleasant "south wind blew softly" as they set out (v. 13), but it was not long before they were suddenly struck by a violent north-east wind, which drove the ship off its course. A fierce storm whipped up angry waves which beat against the ship, so that the sailors had to use all their skill to help keep the ship in one piece. It had been buffeted so strongly by the gale that they decided to undergird it; that is, they passed thick cables around the bow at the front and worked them along underneath the ship and around it to stop the timbers from pulling apart. The next danger they had to face was that they might be driven onto the treacherous quicksands on the north coast of Africa. The thick dark storm clouds stopped them from seeing stars by night and the sun by day, which sailors used as a guide to show them where they were heading. So they did not even know the direction in which they were travelling.

The next day they threw overboard some of the heavier things to allow the boat to stand higher out of the water.

"SIRS, BE OF GOOD CHEER" (vv. 21-24)

On board, passengers and crew were very depressed. They had lost all hope of ever being saved. It was then that Paul stood in their midst and spoke. He said they should have listened to his warning and stayed at Fair Havens, but now they should "be of good cheer" because everyone would be saved.

"For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar; and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee" (vv. 23-24).

Surely these people must have thought what a strange man the apostle Paul was. At this time they did not know that through this man they were to be saved from their present trouble. If only they would listen to the Gospel which he preached, too, they would be saved forever.

THE SHIP IS LOST (vv. 25-44)

Paul went on to say, "For I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me" (v. 25). God, who knows all things, had told Paul that the ship would be lost, but that all those on board would be cast onto an island.

Fourteen days passed. About midnight on the fourteenth night, the sailors on watch realised that they were drifting near to land. They sounded (that is, they measured the depth of the water) and realised that the sea was now becoming shallower. As it was night they decided to cast out the anchors till morning. While they waited the crew, r more anchors, tried to make off in the Paul noticed what they were up to and b unless everyone stayed in the ship, they The soldiers respected Paul's words and drift.

As they anxiously waited for the morning, Paul urged them all to have something to eat. They had gone without food for fourteen days and they needed strength for what lay ahead. When food was prepared, Paul gave thanks to God and they all gladly ate, encouraged by Paul's words: "there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you" (v. 34). Then they lightened the ship by casting its load of wheat into the sea. As morning light appeared they could see the coast of an island and decided to lift anchors hoping to bring the boat up on the beach. But the ship ran aground! The bow stuck fast but the stern broke up as it was pounded by the waves.

The Roman soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners in case any of them should escape, but because Julius wanted to save Paul, he stopped them from doing this. He commanded all who could swim to jump into the sea and swim to land. Those who could not swim used planks and boards from the broken ship to reach the shore.

So the whole ship's company of 276 people came safely to shore as Paul had said and God had promised.

LESSON FOR US

Paul showed great faith in the face of danger. He knew that God's Word was sure and he would definitely reach Rome. It had been a terrifying voyage for all ob board, but because Paul trusted in God, he was able to encourage the others who had given up all hope of safety. God did not forsake Paul, as he wrote later in his epistle to the Hebrews: "He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5).

What a wonderful example he was of calmness and faith in the face of storms and shipwreck. We can take strength and confidence from this true story, whenever any troubles

come on us.

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

1. Who was allowed to go with Paul on the ship to Rome?

2. When they reached Fair Havens, what did Paul advise?

1. What was the weather like when first they left Fair Havens?

3. What sort of wind arose before long?

4. What did the sailors do to try to save the ship?

5. What was the next danger they had to face?

2. Why was it difficult for the sailors to know which direction they were travelling in?

6. Who spoke to Paul to encourage him?

7. What did Paul say would happen to the people on board?

8. When did they next catch sight of land?

9. What did the crew try to do to save their own lives?

10. What did Paul say?

3. What did the soldiers want to do to the prisoners when the ship ran aground?

11. How did everyone get to land?

Detailed Answers

15. Tell all you know:-

1. About the storm, after the boat left Fair Havens.

2. How Paul encouraged everyone on board (verses 13-26)

16. On the fourteenth night of the storm, the sailors knew they were nearing land. Tell what happened after that.