Acts 27 - Introduction

God's Grace In The Storm

Acts Twenty-Seven

Paul had been judged and found innocent. However, it was God's will that he preach in Rome. His appeal to Caesar was what made it possible for him to bear witness in that place. He was sent as a prisoner, under guard with other prisoners, to Rome. As they make the trip they faced a vicious storm and a horrible shipwrecked off the island of Malta. It is easy to see as we look back, that the will of God was at work in Paul's life!

Paul and other prisoners were put under the charge of Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. Augustus was the Roman Dictator called Caesar. Paul would be allowed to take the gospel to his palace. Paul was put on a ship of Adramyttium to make the journey toward Rome. As the journey started a brief stop was made at Sidon. There Julius permitted Paul to visit other Christians.

The centurion gave orders for the journey even over the captain of the ship. He was totally unwilling to follow the advice Paul gave him. Later, the ship was caught in a horrible storm and hope of survival was gone. God appeared to Paul and promised him that there would be no lose of life. The ship and its cargo would be lost but all the people would be spared.

As the storm raged some of the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship. Paul spoke ten words that saved many lives -- "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." Paul had been a persecutor, a preacher and now he becomes a preserver for those that were in the ship. Through the grace of God the two hundred and seventy six tired and frightened men on that ship were spared.

In the midst of the storm Paul showed great faith in God. He ate, prayed and talked about God. He said, "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." The ship was torn apart and the soldiers suggest killing the prisoners. "But Julius wanted to save Paul's life, and he did not let the soldiers do what they had planned." Remember shipwrecks may come in life but God never deserts you.