We ended chapter 26 with both Festus and Agrippa finding Paul not guilty…and yet, chapter 27 is the political answer to the Jewish opposition, with Paul being sent to Rome to stand trial. Chapter 27 is somewhat of a travel log of Paul’s journey to Italy, but worth your time. My goal here is, instead of just reading the Word, to live in the Word as best can, always prayerfully.

Although not mentioned, Luke, as the author of Acts, is believed to have accompanied Paul on his trip to Rome. As we saw in chapter 26, neither Festus nor King Agrippa could find probable cause to convict Paul. Being a Roman citizen, gave them an easy out to grant his request and send him to Rome, under guard, to stand before Caesar. The Augustan Regiment was an auxiliary regiment of foreign troops who served in the Roman army, led by a Roman officer. They served a number of designated roles, such as guarding prisoners.   

This particular centurion may have been on temporary assignment in Judea, or on special assignment to Rome, thus assigned to bringing Paul and possibly other prisoners there, as implied in v..42. 

Chapter 27 begins with Paul boarding the ship for his journey to Italy under Roman Imperial Guard. The “we” in v.1 and “us” in v.2, includes Paul and Luke. The “When it was decided” was by Festus. We don’t know if Aristarchus was also a prisoner or perhaps a companion of Paul. Most likely, a companion—if so, he would have to pay his own passage. The ship would sail from Caesarea to Asia Minor as shown on the following map.

Map shows the sea route taken for Paul’s journey to Italy, beginning at Caesarea on a ship from Adramyttium in Asia Minor. The final leg of the journey would be by land up to the City of Rome.  

It’s interesting that Luke in writing the account, named the ship and port city it belonged to. That entire region of Roman Asia is now part of modern Turkey.  The image shows what the ship, typical of its day, is thought to have looked like. 

The location of the Asian port city of Adramyttium is shown on the maps. Ships carried trade goods in both directions.  Again, the ancient Roman province of Asia is now modern day Turkey, shown in the lower right corner of the map in relationship to Italy. 

Beginning their trip, after loading the ship in Caesarea, they sailed up the coast and stopped at Sidon, probably for more cargo or to pick up more passengers, or both. The purpose of the arrow is to put the two maps into perspective since Sidon is farther north, beyond Galilee, than is Caesarea. So, lets get aboard with Paul and Luke, but brace yourself for a bumpy ride. 

As previously noted, Julius was the Roman centurion (v.3). As stated, their first stop from Caesarea was at Sidon, as shown on previous slide. From there they sailed to Cyprus. The “lee” side (v.4) is the sheltered side of the island. Was Julius converted by Paul (v.3)—which led to his kindness and trust? We won’t know until we get to heaven and see him face to face. 

Their next stop was Myra in Lycia. Myra was the capital city of Lucia, located on the southern coast of Roman Asia (modern day Turkey).

Headwinds hindered travel of the ship which depended on a tail wind to propel it. The lee side is the sheltered side of the island away from the wind, as described in v.12. 

The “Fast” noted in v.9 was the Jewish great day of atonement, which was always celebrated on the tenth day of the seventh month, which would coincide with the latter end of our September (from Adam Clarke's Commentary). V.11 tells us that the owner was also onboard. We shouldn’t be surprised at the centurion’s decision to follow the advice of the pilot and the owner, especially since Paul did not have any nautical experience. 

At this time the storm was churning the sea and making it dangerous. Their current location wasn’t suitable for a long winter stay, and it was best thought to head to the more appropriate harbor city of Phoenix also on Crete as show on next slide. 

Red arrows point to the Cape of Salmone (Sal-mo-ne) (v.7) and Fair Haven near Lasea (La-se-a) (v.8) The insert on this map shows the location of the island in regard to their final destination of Italy. 

A “promontory” is a point of high land that jots out into the sea.

It’s interesting the amount of detail Luke provides, regarding the pending storm. It’s almost like we are there with them. Maybe that’s the Holy Spirit’s intent. The map shows the direction of the northeaster (dark blue arrow) sweeping across the island pushing them further out to sea. 

Luke even goes so far as to name the small island they passed. This is the Word of God inspired by Holy Spirit, even in detail. Have you ever wondered why? Not just here, but elsewhere in the Bible. I believe it’s because God wants us to engage with the words and its message. In this case, the cost of sharing the Gospel came at a great price, something we’re not faced with, but many others around the world deal with it on a regular basis. That’s why our prayers should always be part of our reading of the Word, and for those Christians facing similar challengers. 

This map provides a visual representation of Luke’s description passing the small island of Cauda, of this leg of their journey. Instead of sailing directly to Phoenix, as intended (v.12), the wind drove them south past Cauda. 

In such a raging storm, it would be easy to lose hope. The storm was so fierce that they had to lighten their load by dumping cargo overboard, and lose the profit associated with its value (v.18). A big loss for both the cargo and the ship owners. 

They spent three days wrestling with the storm. The crew most likely were experienced sailors, yet it was a struggle to the degree that they gave up any hope of being saved from the storm’s ravages. But Paul’s faith wasn’t in the ship or the weather, or the crew, it was in God Almighty. 

If you were ever in a storm, you can get a sense of what it was like. I was in such a storm on a fishing boat in the Atlantic ocean. It was truly scary. It is hard to imagine unless you experience it or an event like it. Is the Holy Spirit’s message, that we need to experience the Word and have faith in Jesus Christ to guide us? I believe so. 

Luke describes the event clearly….on how Paul encouraged the crew. They were still in the storm as Paul spoke, and still very fearful. So, why should they get any comfort from Paul’s words? We can be certain Luke was comforted by Paul’s words. 

Here we see an angelic visit. It implies that Paul was asleep when the angel appeared. It also indicates his confidence in God’s protection. How do we respond in the storms of life? Like Paul or like the crew? 

Paul once again encourages the crew and all those onboard, but not without cost to the ship and its cargo. We can be certain that the owner may have lost heart realizing all of his cargo and its profits will be lost. Perhaps he had to pay some for the lost of their products. Either way it was a great weight for him. If he professed Jesus Christ in this event, he gained greater riches. 

The sailors were at their last hope, as Luke emphasizes the depth of the sea to show that they were approaching land. Who were those aboard praying to, perhaps their pagan gods? Perhaps Paul had shared to gospel of Jesus Christ with them, before the storm. And now they are praying to Him. 

The centurion believed Paul and ordered the soldiers to cut the ropes. With that cut, any hope that went with the lifeboats was gone along with the boats. Did this strengthen their hope in Christ? Luke doesn’t tell us. 

In a time of uncertainty and danger, Paul offered encouragement and gave thanks to God, breaking bread as he spoke. Was it the Lord Supper? We’re not told. Perhaps his angelic vision literally brought additional encouragement to all aboard. Did it bring them to Christ? I think we can be sure it did for some, perhaps even most of them. This again, brings us to election and predestination, regarding whom God has chosen. 

The fact that they ate food under the circumstances, in and of itself is encouraging. His encouragement worked and they followed his instructions to eat to retain their strength. Their last meal on ship, while the storm was still raging. 

Last hope! Luke gives a detailed account that a sailor would recognize…neither Paul nor Luke were sailors. Unlike the other apostles, Paul was a Pharisee, Luke was a physician.  

Can you picture yourself in this situation or something close to it? Did they lose their encouragement when they hit the sandbar, hoping instead to have reached the shore? For those who accepted Christ, it definitely would be a test of their faith in this new found God. 

The soldiers were attempting to follow their training and not let prisoners escape under any circumstance (v.42). A soldier that disobeyed was severely disciplined, except for their order from the centurion. What did this centurion know about Paul to spare his life? It raises the question again, did he come to faith in Jesus Christ? Was he, Julius, the same centurion from Caesarea? Again, Luke’s account is jam packed like an adventure novel. 

Julius’ kindness to Paul…and trust. The sailors, soldiers and prisoners onboard, did they come to faith? Since all of human history is laid out before God, past, present and future, at one time, can we pray for past events and people? If we prayed now, would God have taken it into consideration then? Just a thought. 

End of

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 27

Church attendance in America went from 73% in 1937 (large majority of the people) to 47% in 2020 (less that half of the people). Largest drop occurring in the last ten years as shown on the slide. 

75% of college students are influenced by left-leaning radical professors, and end up leaving the faith, which takes us to Ratio Christi’s efforts to bring Christ to the college campus. Collectively, we can help make a difference by joining them in sharing the Gospel with the college world. Why not share this link with a friend. Together we can help make a difference. Here is their website: https://give.ratiochristi.org/

The Bible, as the inerrant Word of God, was inspired, not just to read in our spare time, but to pray over and ponder. As we approach the final chapters of Acts, there is a constant message about sharing Jesus with the world. As Adrian Rogers said in one of his sermons, we are the 29th chapter of Acts. Pastor Rogers reminds us that Acts ends at chapter 28, but as God’s people we too are called to bring Christ to the world around us. 

In chapter 25, Paul was brought before King Agrippa II, which is where we pick up again in chap. 26, with Paul standing before Agrippa. He was the son of King Herod Agrippa I whose death is recorded in chapter 24.

In chapter 25, Paul stood trial before the Roman governor Festus, with his Jewish accusers testifying against him, the details of which he explained to King Agrippa II. 

At the close of chapter 25, Festus made the following statement, regarding the accusations against Paul: "King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.” With Paul not guilty of breaking Roman law, why did Festus make the decision to send Paul to Caesar? Most likely, to rid himself of that problematic Jew and his accusers. 

We had looked at King Agrippa II in chapter 25; additional information is being provided. He ruled over the Syrian kingdom of Chalcis (map). He was given extended authority by Rome to supervise the temple in Jerusalem and appoint the high priest, which gave him a lot of authority in Jewish affairs. Festus, as procurator of Judea, would naturally turn to Agrippa for counsel concerning the handling of Paul’s case. 

King Agrippa extended his hand with a motion (v.1) signifying permission for Paul to speak. Paul begins with a compliment at being allowed to offer his own defense (v.2-3). Paul’s main reason was not to defend himself, but as an opportunity to share Jesus Christ with King Agrippa and all those present, something not otherwise possible. We will never know if any of those present accepted Jesus Christ, although quietly.

Paul’s own country (v.4) was Cilicia in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), born in the City of Tarsus. Paul begins by telling of his own background as a Jew. We know he had studied in the Jerusalem school of Rabbi Gamaliel, one of the leading Jewish thinkers of his time. He reminds Agrippa of God’s promises to the Jews, and how he stands accused for professing that same prophesy given by and through the prophets. 

In about 931 B.C., the 12 tribes of Israel (v.7) were divided into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. Around 722 B.C., a little over two hundred years later, the Assyrians invaded and destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel. A remnant of those 10 tribes migrated south merging into the two Southern tribes in Judea, thus representing all of historic Israel as stated by Paul.  Paul notes that all the Jews were waiting for those promises to be fulfilled, yet they rejected the very One who fulfilled them, and for that reason, he now stands accused by the Jewish leaders for professing Jesus as the promised Messiah. 

He tells how he himself, like his accusers, had persecuted the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, with the full authority of the chief priest and Sanhedrin. And that he himself even voted against them and stood by as a witness to their death. 

He told of his intense hatred of the "the Way" the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, even traveling to foreign cities outside of Judea to persecute them. 

He tells about traveling as far as Damascus, Syria, where he was met by that same Jesus. A “goad” (v.14) is a spiked stick used for prodding/driving cattle (image shown on slide). Another way of stating it is the NLT: 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to fight against my will.’

Paul was commission by Jesus to share the Gospel with the Gentile world (v.16). Every apostle, including Paul, was handpicked by Jesus, except Matthias, who was chosen by the other apostles by casting lots (Acts 1:26). It would seem that, although they meant well, they were somewhat presumptuous in choosing a replacement for Judas. We see here that Jesus had selected a replacement. Matthias isn’t mentioned any where else in the New Testament. 

Paul states his case (v.20-21) as to why the Jews seized him, and how he ended up on trial. If not for the Roman guards, the Jews most likely would have stoned him to death (v.21) either in the temple court or during their planned ambush. 

Once again, Paul clearly states that all he did was profess the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies stated by both the prophets and Moses, including that the Messiah would rise from the dead, as Jesus had done, being witnessed by more than 500 people; with the word of His resurrection spreading to many more, perhaps even to the King.

Festus acknowledges Paul’s years of learning as a Pharisee (v.24). Being a Roman, Festus was not familiar with Jewish prophesies, thus concluding that Paul was insane to make such statements—that Jesus rose from the dead—which Paul rebutted saying his claim was both true and reasonable when put within context of Jewish prophesy. 

Paul points out that Agrippa, himself, is familiar with these same prophesies (v.26) and is prone to believe them (v.27). 

Agrippa saw Paul’s comments as an attempt to convert him to believe in Jesus as the Messiah, but he wasn’t going to have any part of it. As noted earlier, Paul’s intent was to share the Gospel with everyone there. Paul didn’t count on his words converting them, but to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit. All of which leads us to the doctrine of predestination and election (Rom. 9:11)—perhaps a future Sunday morning Foundations study. 

At that point, Festus, Agrippa and Bernice left the room to discuss the situation. Even Agrippa agreed that Paul did nothing to deserve death or imprisonment, and could have been set free had he not, as a Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar. Actually, it was the easiest decision for both Festus and Agrippa, because if they released Paul it would have created a backlash from the Sanhedrin and potential unrest, even mob protests. 

A brief summary of where we are. Paul’s decision to go before Caesar wasn’t a spur of the moment decision…it only came after two years of confinement—minus an opportunity to effectively share the gospel further, since he did so to everyone he came in contact with during his two years in confinement. 

The charges against Paul by the Jews, were without merit under Roman law. Those in power will do almost anything to retain power, especially at the highest levels, being those who have the most to lose. It was easier to send Paul to Rome, than to release him and risk backlash from the Jews. Out of sight, out of mind. 

End of

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 26