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Lesson 33 : Paul’s Perilous Voyage from Caesarea to Italy (27:1-44). I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study. Paul (and company) left Caesarea, headed for Rome , to stand before Caesar (27:1-8).
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Lesson 33:Paul’s Perilous Voyage from Caesarea to Italy (27:1-44)
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul (and company) left Caesarea, headed for Rome, to stand before Caesar (27:1-8). • Paul had appealed to Caesar, therefore, by Roman law, he must stand before Caesar. • An entire chapter (44 verses) is devoted to Paul’s perilous voyage to Italy. Why? • Paul had at least two friends, travel companions with him on the perilous voyage. • Paul and other prisoners were delivered to a centurion named Julius (27:1, 3, 43). • The large Alexandrian ship sailed with difficulty from Myra to Fair Havens (27:6-8).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul warned against sailing further in dangerous conditions but was rejected (27:9-12). • This was a dangerous time of year to be sailing and Paul warned of disaster (27:9-10). • However, “the majority” decided to sail from Fair Havens for Phoenix (27:11-12).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul and company got caught at sea in a “typhoon” called Euraquilo (27:13-20). • A “northeaster” came from the mountains & pushed the ship out to sea (27:14-15). • Totally unprepared, the sailors secured the dinghy and undergirded the ship (16-17). • They were “violently storm-tossed” and unable to determine their location (without seeing sun or stars), so they gradually abandoned all hope of being saved (27:18, 20).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul and company were assured that God would deliver without loss of life (27:21-26). • Paul reflected on the wisdom of his personal advice in Fair Havens (cf. 27:10) to draw his listeners to adhere even more to the Divine wisdom he was about to share (27:21). • Paul assured there would be no loss of life because God had so promised (27:22-26).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • In a night of horrible fear, Paul encouraged his shipmates to follow God’s plan (27:27-38). • After 14 harrowing nights on turbulent seas, they began to draw near land (27:27). • They “took soundings” by throwing a lead weight on a rope into the sea to measure. • Fearing the “run aground” reality of Paul’s message (27:26, 29), they made ready. • Paul again assured they would be saved, but they had to obey God’s plan (27:31).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul and company shipwrecked on Malta, abandoned ship & all were saved (27:39-44). • Having already recorded three shipwrecks (2 Cor. 11:25), this was Paul’s fourth. • As day dawned, they made a run for shore but struck a reef/sandbar (27:39-41). • The ship was gradually breaking up in the violent waves, so they abandoned ship (41). • Lest they be killed for losing prisoners (12:19), the soldiers planned to kill them (27:42). • Julius, knowing Paul saved all of their lives, determined to save Paul’s life (27:43-44). • As God had promised (27:22, 31, 34), they all made it safely to land (27:44).
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • God’s promises never fail! • God had promised Paul that he would see Rome (23:11+27:24), and He doesn’t fail! • The nature of God’s promises: “Not a word failed…All came to pass” (Josh. 21:45). • The nature of God: His “word is truth” (John 17:17) and He “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). • The last sentence: “They all escaped safely to land” (27:44), just as God promised!
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • God’s promises of salvation are conditional! • God had promised all lives would be saved (27:22, 24, 34), even when no hope (20). • However, His promise was not unconditional. They had to obey His word to be saved! • “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved” (27:31). • God’s promise of salvation from sin & eternal life is also conditioned on obedience. • “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3-5).
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • God’s providence is a certainty and a marvel to behold, yet difficult to pinpoint precisely. • In the big picture, Paul knew he would make it to Rome (23:11; 27:24). But how? • God did not employ miraculous measures to fulfill His promise, but natural means. • In the big picture, we may not know how God is working, but He is (Ro. 8:28; Phil. 2:13)!
III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives • May we be able to say that we constantly belong to God and constantly serve Him! • May we be able to say that we absolutely believe God will keep His Word to precision! • May we trust God’s promises and obey Him fully, in order to receive His blessings! • Even in the midst tumultuous storms of life, let us give thanks to God for His provision!