Paul has been sitting in a Roman jail cell in Caesarea. Soon, he and the other prisoners would be put on a ship and sent to Rome.
Acts 27:1-2- 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. 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.
Even though Paul was a Roman prisoner, he was granted certain liberties that normal prisoners weren't allowed.
Acts 27:3-4- 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. And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
Paul was allowed to leave and meet up with his friends in this city. Just being able to have visits was a special occasion for prisoners, but for them to be allowed to leave and visit other people and places was practically unheard of! Paul was being given blessings from God that were to encourage the brethren and prove to Paul that God was in control of every situation.
Acts 27:5-8- And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. 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; And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
Sailors back in these days knew the waters. They could tell by how the sun set and by how the sun rose what type of weather there would be for that day. But, they couldn't see past that day.
Once out on the water away from land, if a bad storm hit, they just had to hunker down and ride it out. This could cause a lot of problems from the ship being damaged, to cargo being swept off the boat, to the boat being dragged off course and the crew being lost at sea.
Acts 27:9-13- Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 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. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 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. And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
The Lord had warned Paul that the trip was going to be rough. If Paul could have convinced the captain of the ship to remain where they were until winter had passed they would have a better journey.
But, neither the captain of the ship nor the owners of the ship believed that Paul had information for the Creator of the world. They didn't like the city they were in and really didn't want to stay in it an entire winter.
When the weather was really nice with no sign of a storm, they decided to head out to a different harbor where they would be more comfortable through the winter.
Acts 27:14-20- But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 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. And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. 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.
Everything that could go wrong on that trip, did. There was a terrible storm that carried the ship off course. It brought it close to the mainland where there was a danger of rocks ripping holes in the ship, or the ship getting caught in quicksand and dragged to pieces by the raging waves!
The were able to tie rope around the ship to try to hold her together. But, they had to throw all their cargo overboard because the ship was getting water into it. If they didn't lighten the load the boat would sink.
Their path was lost, their cargo gone, and after a few days of not being able to see the sky to tell where they were the men began to lose hope of ever making it to Rome alive.
Acts 27:21-26- 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. 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. 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. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
Paul stood up and told the sailors that they should have listened to him and not left the harbor. But, he encouraged them by letting them know that an angel had promised that they wouldn't die, they would make it to an island.
Acts 27:27-29- 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; And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
After two weeks adrift in the turbulent sea, they came to finally see land. They kept measuring the depth of the ocean floor from the top of the ocean to see how far they were from the land.
As they got closer, they had to drop the anchor for fear running into some rocks and destroying the ship. They were hoping the daylight would come soon so they could see to guide the ship safely to the island.
Acts 27:30-32- 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, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
Some of the sailors were going to take the lifeboats and try to make it to the land with them. But, Paul knew if they left the big ship they would die.
When he told the captain this, the captain cut the ropes holding the life boat and let the waves carry it away.
He had learned that Paul knew what he was talking about. And, he was ready to listen!
Acts 27:33-36- 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. 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. 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. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
As they were waiting for day break, Paul said that they should all eat. It had been two weeks since anyone ate anything, and they would all need their strength to swim to the shore of this island!
Paul took some bread and prayed and asked God to bless it and then he began to eat. This encouraged the rest of those on the ship to eat, also.
Acts 27:37-41- And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 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. 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. 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.
Once they could see the island in the daytime, they saw that there was a creek going into the island. They were hoping to be able to sail the ship up the creek and then anchor it safely in a harbor.
But, the creek wasn't deep enough for that. The front of the ship got stuck in the sandy bottom and the back of the ship was being whipped around by raging waves. The ship was beginning to tear apart!
Acts 27:42-44- And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 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: 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.
A soldier suggested that they kill all the prisoners before getting to shore. This would ensure that none of them escaped. Remember, the soldiers would be killed for failing to deliver their prisoners.
But, the centurion that had guarded Paul had come to understand that there was some thing about him. He didn't want Paul to be killed. So he advised everyone just make it to land the best they could.
Acts 28:1-2- And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
Once everyone was safely to shore, they were greeted by the indigenous peoples who lived there.
These people were kind and started building a fire for the sailors and prisoners to dry and warm themselves. Remember, it was winter time!
Acts 28:3-5- And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them]on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
Paul wanted to help, so he began gathering sticks for the fire. But, somewhere in that pile was a poisonous snake.
As Paul was placing the sticks on the fire, the heat made the snake try to come out and it bit down onto Paul's hand. Paul just shook it off into the fire and went on his way.
The indigenous people thought at first that Paul must be a wicked man that some god was trying to kill. And since he didn't drown in the sea a snake was sent to finish him off.
Acts 28:6- Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
When Paul didn't die, or even get sick, the people decided he must be some sort of diety.
Paul wouldn't let them think that for long! He had a calling to tell the Gentiles about the Savior and just because he didn't know where he was didn't mean that he wouldn't get to work telling these people about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 28:7-10- In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.
Paul used the gifts that God had bestowed on the Apostles to help the people of this island. he healed them from their sickness and diseases.
The people were so thankful that they gave the visitors whatever they needed while they were there, and helped them with what they needed to continue on their journey.
Acts 28:11-16- And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
There were many stops along the way. It wasn't until well into the Spring time that they finally made it to Rome.
Paul was allowed to visit his friends along the way at each stop and this encouraged him. I'm certain that it also blessed the Christians he saw, too.
When they reached Rome Paul's words had come to pass. They had a troubled journey and lost the ship and the cargo, but every soldier and prisoner had made it safely to their destination.
The Centurion that guarded Paul took him to a house instead of a prison cell, and there Paul remained with his guard until he could stand before Caesar.
