Acts 27

Somewhere in the middle of chapter 16 of this book the narrator began using the word “we” to describe the travels of Paul and his companions. Much has taken place since that time, and it would appear that Luke has been with Paul through most of these challenging events. That word “we” tells us that Paul is not without gospel companionship on his voyage to Rome, a trip that ends up being not only dangerous, but truly life threatening. Luke assures us that there is another sense in which it can rightly be said that the apostle is not alone. God is with His servant through this time of trial.

It seems that the trip became more dangerous because of some delays that placed them in a season of increased risk in Mediterranean waters. Paul, either through his considerable experience as a traveler, or because of divine revelation, advises the captain that they should all wait out the winter in a place of safety, concerned that the voyage might result in serious loss of property and life. His opinion proved to be sound, but it was ignored. Though at first it appeared that the pilot would be able to accomplish his goal without incident, a violent storm soon threatened the vessel.

Their severe trouble at sea continued for many days, and they were forced to take drastic measures in order to be able to keep on going at all. It was at this point that Paul received an angelic visitation assuring him not only that he would stand before Caesar in Rome, but also that the lives of all those on board the ship would be spared. Paul relayed this message to those around him, reminding them that they should have listened to him earlier when he had advised them not to continue in their journey.

The goal now was to somehow run the ship aground, thereafter making their way to safety. At one point the sailors attempted to escape by themselves in a lifeboat, but Paul warned the centurion and the soldiers in charge of the prisoners, telling them that many people would die if some of the men were allowed to flee. The soldiers then cut away the lifeboat from the main ship before the sailors had a chance to escape.

As the dangerous weather continued, the stature of this one prisoner, Paul, seemed to increase among those who were in charge. It was as if Paul had gradually become the leader of this spiritual struggle, with Paul’s God leading Paul. The apostle urged everyone to eat, giving thanks to God in front of them all. Like a pastor of a very troubled makeshift congregation of 276, Paul was trying to somehow guide his mixed multitude through the discipline of the Almighty. We are told that they were all somehow encouraged as he spoke to them, even as they had to rid the ship of the rest of the food after eating to avoid sinking.

When day came, their goal of some safe shore was in sight, though the stormy seas continued. They struck a reef, and now the soldiers planned to kill the prisoners, rather than giving them the opportunity to escape. By this point the centurion in charge had enough admiration for Paul that he wanted to save him from death, so he kept the soldiers from carrying out their plan. Imagine the sight as 276 people made their way to land in rough seas, hanging on to planks and pieces of the ship. Consider this fact as well: They were all brought safely to land. No one died; no one escaped. This was a remarkable providence.

The Apostle Paul was like God’s Noah in this desperate situation. He had a concern not only for his own life, but for men like Luke, who apparently was with him. But he also demonstrated a concern for this small sampling of the world in his midst, the strange group of fearful men, attempting to live on at least for one more day in order to fight the fight that God had for them.

Throughout the Scriptures we see figures like Joseph, the son of Jacob, and Moses, who prepare us for the fact that when the Christ comes, he must suffer in order to accomplish His glorious mission. This is the way that our salvation is won, through the suffering of one Man. This suffering-unto-glory pattern does not end once the victory of the cross and the resurrection has been achieved. The same way exists for the apostolic church, and even for the church throughout the word down to the present hour. There is a ship of safety that has been provided for us throughout this challenging age. We are together in Christ, our ark of hope.

Our situation is superior to that of Joseph and Moses so long ago. We live after the coming of the One who accomplished our salvation through the shedding of his blood. We have the apostolic Word before us in the New Testament epistles, granting to us an authoritative interpretation of the Old Testament Scriptures. Though we still face much in the way of wind and waves, we have abundant assurance in the Word from heaven that not one of His beloved will be lost.