Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

To me, the primary "takeaway" from this chapter is the presence and awareness of God in whatever circumstances Christians may find themselves -- even when those circumstances appear extremely adverse or beyond the Christian's (or anyone's) control.

This involvement of God relates not only to Christians themselves, but also extends to those with whom the Christian is interacting (regardless of the number of those individuals (Acts 27:37), or whether they are Christians). This is indicated most clearly by the angelic vision that Paul received, as he related it in Acts 27:22-26.

Also, the Christian conduct of believers can motivate even those who are not Christians to show mercy or kindness, as indicated by the consideration shown by the Roman centurion Julius to Paul (Acts 27:3; Acts 27:42-43).

November 17 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

The voyage of life is like the voyage in Acts 27. One of the joys I had in growing up as a teenage boy was boating in the lake at my grandmother's resort in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. But on really windy days we liked nothing better in the middle of the lake to throw the anchor overboard to slow the boat down!

The seamen's true hope, they thought, lay in casting overboard their four anchors (Ac 27:29) to slow the ship down. To me those 4 anchors could symbolize for the Christian that Christ is our Stabilizer:

(1) Christ is our Redeemer—"Whose I am” (Acts 27:23)
SEE, too, 1 Cor. 6:19-20
(2) Christ is our Lord—"Whom I serve” Acts 27:23 We are his subjects. We can serve Christ in many ways, but at least one way we can serve Him is through interceding for others. -- 

Rom. 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 

2 Tim. 1:3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

(3) Christ is our Comforter—"Fear not” Ac 27:24 SEE, too, Matthew 14:27 “Fear not, it is I!” (emphasis mine) 

(27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.)

(4) Christ is our Counsellor—"it was told me” Ac 27:25 John 16:13 ‘The Spirit of Christ" speaks to us today. Compare 

Rev. 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

November 17 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Shirley H Supporter Wife, mother, veteran in the spiritual war we all face!

I look at this chapter and I see that it is ALL about trusting God. If we flip back a few chapters (back to 22) we see that Paul is threatened on all sides. 

He has appeared before the Sanhedrin. He was struck by Ananias command. Paul cried out that he was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee!

There was a conspiracy to kill Paul, Acts 23:12. More than forty men had banded together to accomplish this.

In Acts 24:5, Paul is declared a pest, a troublemaker before Felix.

Paul appears before Festus, and appealed to Caesar. 

In fact, Paul had been assured, Chapter 23:11, "Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." He was on a mission for God.

In this chapter 27, Paul is sent to where? Rome! This chapter is all about faith in God's words and depending on Him in any and all circumstances. Stand on God's words, wait on the Lord!

November 17 2020 • 4 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What can we learn from the voyage described in Acts 27?

Acts 27 details Paul's voyage of 276 people to Rome, providing profound lessons on faith, leadership, and God's sovereignty. Key takeaways include trusting God in crises, the value of spiritual wisdom over human expertise, maintaining hope amid despair, and finding comfort in God's promises, all of which highlight that God uses trials to ensure his purpose is fulfilled.

Trusting God's Promise Over Circumstances: Paul was confident in survival because God told him he must stand trial in Rome, enabling him to remain calm and encourage others during a severe, weeks-long storm.

Luke states with precision: "Sailing with difficulty along the coast [of Crete], we came to a place called Fair Havens." Even in the shelter of the landmass, it was hard to control the ship.

Paul, who had often been in danger at sea and had personally experienced at least three previous shipwrecks (2Co 11:25, 26), wisely recommended that the boat winter at Fair Havens. Paul was evidently aware of the dangers of out-of-season sea travel. He even advised against sailing in late September or early October, saying: "Men, I perceive that navigation is going to be with damage and great loss not only of the cargo and the boat but also of our souls." (Acts 27:9, 10) However, the army officer in charge ignored these words, leading to the shipwreck at Malta.

Regarding this account in Acts, James Smith writes: "It is interesting to observe how each addition to our knowledge of the scene of the narrative confirms its authenticity and accuracy. It now appears, from Mr. Brown's observations and the late surveys, that islands so well protect Fair Havens, that though not equal to Lutro [thought to be Phoenix], it must be a very fair winter harbour; and that considering the suddenness, the frequency, and the violence with which gales of northerly wind spring up, and the certainty that, if such a gale sprang up in the passage from Fair Havens to Lutro, the ship must be driven off to sea, the prudence of the advice given by the master and owner was extremely questionable, and that the advice given by St. Paul may probably be supported even on nautical grounds."​—The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul, London, 1866, p. 85, 

The softly blowing S wind was deceptive. Soon thereafter, the ship was seized by a tempestuous wind and finally was wrecked on the coast of Malta, about 900 km (560 mi) to the W.​—Ac 27:9-15, 39-41; 28:1.

At this time, the soldiers were determined to kill Paul and the other prisoners. This may have been due to the strict Roman military discipline, which held guards accountable for the escape of prisoners under their control. (Compare Ac 12:19; 16:27.) Since the army officer (centurion) restrained the soldiers on account of Paul, all those aboard, numbering 276, survived the shipwreck, either by swimming ashore or getting safely to land upon planks and other floatable items from the wrecked vessel.​—Ac 27:37, 42-44.

And true to Paul's words, not one life has been lost!​—Acts 27:42-44.

6 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report