Answers for a Study in the Book of Acts: Chapters 27-28

Paul is sent to Rome; Paul is Shipwrecked; Paul arrives at Rome

1. Read Chapter 27:1-12 with your table group

In the first part of this chapter, Paul begins his journey to Rome:

a. Who was Julius, and who else sailed with Paul to Rome (can we make an educated guess)?

“When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius. And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care.”  Acts 27:1-3

• Julius was a centurion of the Augustan cohort who was in charge of Paul as they set sail for Rome, Italy.
• Note: It would seem that Julius gained respect for Paul as the trip goes on, because he gives him some freedom to speak to the crew, and he eventually saves Paul’s life by not allowing the soldiers to kill him (and the other prisoners) when the shipwreck was imminent.
• Others that sailed with Paul included soldiers under Julius’ command, sailors, other prisoners and Paul’s companions Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica and Luke the author of this book.
• Note: Luke speaks in the first person pointing to the fact that he was there, and was an eyewitness to the accounts.

b. What places did they sail through before eventually making it to Fair Havens? ( You can using a map, or make a list):

From Acts 27:3-8

• Stopped at Sidon
• Sailed along Cyprus and the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia
• Stopped at Myra in Lycia (where they changed to an Alexandrian ship headed to Italy)
• Arrived at Cnidus, but continued on…
• Sailed under shelter of Crete, off Salmone
• Finally arrived at Fair Haven near the city of Lasea

Paul’s journey to Rome:

c. Why was it dangerous to sail on after Fair Haven, what did Paul say would happen, and what argument won out that caused them to sail on anyway?

“When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if some how they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. When a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore.”  Acts 27:9-13

• According to the Life Application Bible Commentary: “The fast was the Day of Atonement. Ships in in ancient times had no compasses and navigated by the stars. Overcast weather made sailing almost impossible and very dangerous. Sailing was doubtful in September and impossible by November. This event occurred in October (A.D. 59).”
• The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27-28), also known as Yom Kippur, was the most solemn holy day of all the Israelite feasts and festivals, occurring once a year on the tenth day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar.
• Paul warned that the voyage would be dangerous and that great damage and loss would happen.
• The centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and captain of the ship to sail on, and the fact that the harbor was not suitable for wintering.
• It is also speculative that the centurion was in a rush to get Paul to Rome.

d. Discuss: Review why Paul was being sent to Rome, and how we know God wanted Paul to get to this destination.

Discussion can vary, but the main points would be as follows:

• Paul was being sent to Rome because he had appealed to Caesar (he was a Roman citizen with that right)
• Paul had appealed to Caesar partly because he knew that going back to Jerusalem to stand trial (that was his other option) would result in his death at the hands of the Jewish authorities
• Paul also knew that God had told him that he would go and witness in Rome (review Acts 19:21 and 23:11), knowing God’s assignment helped in his determination and confidence during this journey

2. Read Chapter 27:13-44 with your table group

In the second part of this chapter, Paul and the people sailing with him run into trouble:

a. What happened that caused great fear on the ship?

“But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo; and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along. Running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship’s boat under control. After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along. The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.”  Acts 27:14-20

• They became caught in a violent storm and wind called Euraquilo (also known as a “northeaster”).
• Because the storm ravaged them for many days, and they had done everything possible to help the ship, including throwing all cargo and tackle overboard, all “human” hope was lost.

b. What did Paul say to the men after they had gone days without food, and all hope of them being saved seemed lost, and how did he continue to encourage them?

“When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss. Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’ Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on a certain island.”  Acts 27:21-26

• At first Paul admonished them for not listening to his sound reasoning and warning earlier.
• Then Paul shared that he had a visit from an angel of God that guaranteed there would be no loss of life, and that Paul and everyone aboard would make it to Rome, and there would only be the loss of the ship (as they would soon run aground on an island).
• Paul continued to encourage the men with his own confidence in God’s Word and, again, he used his circumstances to share the truths of God with others.
• Note: Again, we see confirmation of Paul’s his mission to Rome from God who told him that he must stand before Caesar, and that He, God, would bring him safely there.

c. What finally happened as the ship started to break apart, and how did God make sure that Paul was brought safely to the land?

“But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to surmise that they were approaching some land. They took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms. Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak. But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it fall away. Until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing. Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your preservation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.” Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it and began to eat. All of them were encouraged and they themselves also took food. All of us in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six persons. When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea. When day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did observe a bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it if they could. And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.”  Acts 27:27-44

• They took soundings and were getting into more shallow water, and when they tried to beach the ship, they struck a reef and the ship broke apart.
• The soldiers wanted to kill Paul and the prisoners, so they would not escape, but the centurion kept them from doing that because he wanted to bring Paul safely through, so those who could swim to shore did, and the rest held on to planks and other things from the ship – none were lost, and none escaped!
• Note: All of this was obviously God’s sovereign protection over Paul, through both the centurion and the circumstances of the shipwreck, because they were all brought safely to the shore.

d. Discuss: What do we see in Paul’s behavior that can help us in times of fear and doubt?

Answers will vary, but may include…

• Paul seemed to have a quiet confidence that was based on God’s Word that included an appearance by an angel of God with the message that he would go to Rome.
• Paul was an encourager and a leader, as evidenced by the times he spoke to the men on the ship, giving direction and encouragement, and showing his complete confidence in God’s promise.
• Paul trusted God to follow through on his protection of Paul.
• Paul was an evangelist, always sharing his faith in God with everyone.
• Paul was calm in the face of danger.

3. Read Chapter 28:1-31 with your table group

In this chapter, Paul finally reaches Rome:

a. Where did Paul end up, and what happened when the people there built a fire to help warm them?

“When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea justice has not allowed him to live.” However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.”  Acts 28:1-6

• They ended up on the island called Malta: The island-state of Malta is located in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy); it consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino, of which Malta is the largest island. Traditionally, St. Paul’s Bay and St Paul’s Island are identified as the location for this shipwreck.
• Paul was helping by gathering sticks, but a viper came out and bit him. The people thought he would swell up and die because the viper was poisonous, but again, God was with him and nothing happened, so the people thought Paul was a god.

b. Who was Publius and what happened at his estate?

“Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.”  Acts 28:7-10

• Publius was the leading man of the island (probably like a chief, governor or mayor).
• Publius’ father was sick with a recurrent fever and dysentery, but Paul prayed and laid his hands on him, and he was healed.
• Because of this, all of the people who had diseases were coming to Paul and were cured.
• This resulted in the people giving honor to Paul and his companions, including sending them on their way, supplied with all that they needed.

c. How long did Paul stay on this island, and where did he go when he left (chart his trip)?

“At the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.”  Acts 28:11-15

• Paul was on the island for three months.
• They sailed to Syracuse, then to Rhegium, then to Puteoli and finally to Rome (See map above on question 1b).

d. When Paul finally made it to Rome, how did the people there receive him? What Isaiah passage did Paul use in his final statement to the Jews in Rome?

“When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.” They said to him, “We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.” When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.”’ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.” [When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.] And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.”  Acts 28:16-31

• When Paul arrived in Rome he was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him (probably in that guard’s home), and he was later allowed to stay in his own rented quarters for two full years.
• The Jews in Rome seemed to treat him well, saying that they did not have any communication from the Jews in Jerusalem, but that they had heard of the “sect” (The Way/Christians) which was being spoken against everywhere.
• Paul was able to preach to the Jews who were in Rome, some believed, some did not. Paul ended speaking to them by quoting from Isaiah 6:9-10, and he would then go on to preach to the Gentiles.

4. Review and discuss with your table group

a. How does the book of Acts end, and why do you think it ends so abruptly?

• The book of Acts ends by telling us that “Paul stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.”
• The book of Acts may have ended abruptly because the Gospel, and Jesus’ church, is still being shared, and is still growing today!
• The fact that Luke, a stickler for details, never mentions the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple (in AD 70) by Rome, helps us date this book and others from the New Testament as being written before that period of time. Also, Luke does not record the deaths of Paul or Peter, and tradition dates their martyrdoms somewhere between AD 64-68 under the Emperor Nero.

From the Life Application Study Bible:

• While Paul was under house arrest he wrote letters, commonly called his “Prison Letters,” to the Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians. He also wrote personal letters like Philemon. Luke was with Paul in Rome (2 Timothy 4:11); Timothy often visited Paul (Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1); as well as Mark (Colossians 4:10). Paul witnessed to the whole Roman guard (Philippians 1:13) and was involved with the Roman believers.
• Tradition says that Paul was released after two years of house arrest in Rome and then set off on a fourth missionary journey. Some reasons for this tradition include: 1) Luke does not give us an account of his trial before Caesar, and Luke was a detailed chronicler; 2) the prosecution had two years to bring the case to trial, and time may have run out; 3) In his letter to the Philippians, written during his imprisonment in Rome, Paul implied that he would soon be released and would do further traveling; 4) Paul mentions several places where he intended to take the gospel, but he never visited those places in his first three journeys; and 5) early Christian literature talks plainly about other travels by Paul.
• It may be that during Paul’s time of freedom, he continued to travel extensively, even going to Spain (Romans 15:24, 28) and back to the churches in Greece. The books of Timothy and Titus were written during this time. Later, Paul was imprisoned again, probably in Rome, where he wrote his last letter (2 Timothy).
• The book of Acts ends so abruptly because the book is not about the life of Paul, but about the spread of the gospel, and that has been clearly presented. The book of Acts deals with the history of the Christian church and its expansion in ever-widening circles touching Jerusalem, Antioch, Ephesus, and Rome—the most influential cities in the western world. Acts also shows the mighty. Miracles and testimonies of the heroes and martyrs of the early church—Peter, Steven, James and Paul. All the ministry was prompted and held together by the Holy Spirit working in the. Lives of ordinary people.

b. Write down and share two or three things that you think are important to remember about chapters twenty-seven and twenty-eight:

Answers will vary…

• Chapter 27 gives us a dramatic record of Paul’s journey, and his confident trust in God, through a storm at sea and subsequent shipwreck. The amazing witness that Paul was able to display to those who were with him is remarkable, and should serve as a great example for all of us to trust in God, and share that trust with others, no matter what our circumstances may be.
• Chapter 28 shows us how God fulfilled his promise to Paul as he arrived safely in Rome where he spent at least two years sharing the Gospel to all who would hear. We also see an abrupt ending to the book, which should tell us that the Holy Spirit is not done using believers to spread the Gospel yet (until Jesus returns, or until we reach our Heavenly home).

Please continue to join us as we will finish our study in the book of Acts with a review next week, and we will be starting a new class upcoming!

Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study question are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.

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Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15