Explore the Bible: November 24

Trust • Acts 27:31-44

By Becky Brown

 After six whole months in the Book of Acts, we complete our time in chapter 27 with the account of a shipwreck — our focus placed on trusting The Captain of all ships and sailors. Yes, God promised Paul he would make a journey to Rome to take the gospel to the capitol city of Italy. As a Roman citizen, Paul made an appeal of his case, allowing him to stand before Caesar. 

Indeed, Paul made it there. In Acts 28:14, Doctor Luke records, “…and thus we came to Rome.” Luke and Aristarchus of Thessalonica sailed with Paul. He spent two years of quality time teaching about Jesus from the perspective of the beloved and much studied Old Testament scriptures. The Old Testament was the heart language of Paul. It all pointed to Jesus. 

The account of the maritime journey from Caesarea to Rome (and the ship and the sailors and the ropes and the four anchors and the cargo and the soundings to determine fathoms of depth and the HUGE storm) is filled with excitement enough to be movie camera ready. Lights. Crew. Camera.  Action. God DID preserve Paul and his faithful companions. God DID spare the ship captain and his crew and the centurion named Julius assigned to guard Paul, the prisoner. However, as we close out this excellent in-depth study of Acts, I plan to take a slightly different approach and lead us all the way to the final word in the book.

Daily, God continued to provide protection for the life of Paul. His body was broken and bruised by beating and stoning and caning and filled with daily concerns for the brethren he served. Paul would have been in his sixties. God wanted Paul in Rome.  The “ship” of the life of Paul had a course set by the StarMaker Himself. Paul was anchored to The Rock of Salvation. His planned earthly destination of Rome was certain and assured at departure. All of this was true, proving that his final eternal destination was also assured. His final moorings would be the feet of Jesus. This is what kept Paul sailing along.  

Their ship wrecked on the tiny island of Malta, just south of Sicily, at the toe of the boot of Italy. Get a map, locate Malta and see for yourself how God took care of Paul and the entire 276 persons on board. Wherever Paul traveled, he either found fellow disciples or developed some while he was there. After three months of nurturing relationships on the island of Malta, Paul boarded a ship that would take him to Sicily and on to Italy. Brethren in Rome heard he was on the way and came to meet him, escorting him northward to the city of Caesar.  

I would love to have been Julius, the Roman guard. He sailed and survived the stormy sea with Paul.  He took every step Paul took and heard every word Paul spoke. Chained to this apostle “born out of due time” (see 1 Corinthians 15:8), Julius was a side-by-side eyewitness to all that God was accomplishing through this man of God. Julius would see Luke recording everything as fast as he could scribble with a quill and ink on parchment or papyrus. Julius heard Paul teach day after day to the acceptors and to the rejectors, wondering at the responses of both. I would like to think Julius listened and believed. One day, I will know.  

Paul observed the same pattern of ministry in Rome, beginning with the Jewish leadership. He would use “Moses and the Prophets” to preach Jesus. Acts Paul preached to them from morning till evening on the day they set aside. Some said yes. Some said no. Most refused to believe. Paul reminded them of Isaiah’s amazing day of worship and commitment in the temple after the death of King Uzziah. This passage had become Paul’s closing statement to Jewish audiences. Isaiah 6:9-10, “…you will hear and see but your heart is dull because of unbelief.” Now this message will be offered to the Gentiles. 

Read Acts 28:30-31. Paul remained two years in Rome. He would be released only to be returned there to be martyred during the reign of Nero. He welcomed all listeners. He proclaimed the gospel. He taught the truth. He spoke boldly and unafraid, without apology. Paul preached totally

UN-HINDERED!!! 

“AKOLUTOS” is an adverb. 

Acts’ Last Word: unforbidden!!!

Brown leads LittleBrownLight Ministries.