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Passage: Acts 27
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Chapter Summary
RECAP: Paul is testifying before the pompously eccentric King Agrippa & his sister/wife Bernice. Paul's already appealed his case to Caesar, meaning he will be shipped to Rome, but Agrippa has asked to hear Paul speak.
v1-12 - Paul is put on a ship as a prisoner bound for Rome, but there are several stops on the way. Although the centurion Julius is kind to Paul (following the pattern of centurions being kind to Christians in other circumstances), Julius does not heed Paul's advice to stay put, but instead they put out to sea late in the season.
v13-26 - Luke paints an awesome picture of the mighty struggle it was to sail in a massive storm. After saying, "See, I told you so," Paul brings the encouragement to the men on the ship that the angel of the Lord had brought to him. Although the ship would be destroyed, everyone on board would be kept safe.
v27-38 - The sailors attempt to ditch the ship leaving the passengers to face certain doom. The Roman soldiers put a stop to their plan, but the lifeboat is lost in the process. Paul further encourages those on board.
v39-44 - Finally, land is spotted. Unfortunately, the ship hits a sandbar and breaks up, but all the passengers survive. The centurion Julius stops his men from killing the prisoners, as their protocol demanded, thus saving Paul's life.
Old Testament Reference -
Jonah 1 tells of another storm on the ancient seas.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions. For every comment or reply you post, you will receive an entry for this month's prize: a gift certificate to Seed & Stem 12:27
If you were on board this ship, how would your opinion of Paul changed as the trip progressed?
Compare and contrast this sea-storm account with other storm stories in the Bible.
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The God of land and sea whom you 'belong to.' (v23)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Even when it appears all is lost (v26 - nevertheless, we must run aground...), pray that God will preserve your faith and cause you to cling to His will.
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: God gave the sailors bread in the midst of the storm (v34), and He desires to provide your daily needs as well.
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