From Paul’s own mouth, the leaders at Jerusalem and at Caesarea had heard his testimony to the gospel. The new religion and its most notable spokesperson had proven non-threatening to secular authorities and respectful of Jewish customs and the temple. Paul was acquitted of any crime and would have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Acts 26:30-31). So to Rome he would go.
At sea
Along with other prisoners, Paul was given over to Julius, a centurion, who treated the apostle with great courtesy and respect. When they stopped briefly up the coast at Sidon, Paul was given leave to visit the brethren and be refreshed by them.
The sailing plan was to stay close to the shelter of the northern coastline, staying away from the central part of the Great Sea. Unknown to Paul, Julius and his company, however, God was to demonstrate His mighty power by means of wind, storm, serpent and the word of His apostle.
Upon leaving Sidon, contrary winds immediately caused a diversion under the lee of Cyprus on the way to Myra, a port in Lycia (on the southwest coast of Turkey). There they transferred to a ship from Alexandria headed for Italy. As soon as they left port, the wind again delayed them: “We sailed slowly for a number of days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus [further west along the southern coast of Turkey], and as the wind did not allow us to go on, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone [a major diversion to the south]. Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens…As much time had been lost…” (Acts 27:7-9 RSV).
Stormy wind
Due to the loss of time, the season for safe sailing was past. In addition, Paul was warned of the Holy Spirit of great peril for the ship and all aboard if they attempted to leave Fair Havens. Regarding the harbor unsuitable, however, the captain and owner recommended they proceed along Crete to what they considered a safer place to winter. Paying more attention to the professional sailors than to Paul’s warning, the centurion agreed they should try sailing to the further port (vs. 9-13).
At sea, a mighty northeaster struck from the land driving the ship 50 miles southwest to the island of Clauda. There they had to repair the ship and, fearing it would slip into quicksand, loosed the sails and were again driven severely by the storm.
“As we were violently storm-tossed, they began next day to throw the cargo overboard; and the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackle of the ship.” And as the storm raged on day after day, “all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned” (vs. 14-20).
An angel speaks
The same night an angel spoke to Paul, “Do not be afraid Paul, you must stand before Caesar; and lo, God has granted you all those who sail with you” (v.24). With this assurance, Paul spoke words of comfort to the crew, “Take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we shall have to run on some island” (vs. 25-26).
Malta
From Clauda, the vessel was driven westward by the storm for 600 miles to the island of Malta. There they attempted to land, “But striking a shoal, they ran the vessel aground; the bow stuck and became immovable, and the stern was broken up by the surf’ (v.40).
Slaying the hand of his soldiers, the centurion would not permit the prisoners to be killed because of his regard for Paul. Then, at his command, all abandoned ship, casting themselves into the sea with those who could not swim making for land on pieces of the ship. “And so it was that all escaped to land” (vs. 44).
This miraculous salvation of Paul and all the crew served a mighty witness that Paul was a man of God and that his God was the one true God.
The viper
Since it was raining and cold on Malta, a fire was lit. As Paul gathered sticks and placed them on the fire, a viper suddenly came out of the heat, fastening its fangs on Paul’s hand. He quickly shook it off, suffering no harm, and thus recalled the words of Christ, “These signs shall follow them that believe…they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them…” (Mk. 16:17-18).
For the next three days, they were entertained by the chief man of the island. Seeing that his father was seriously ill, Paul prayed for him and healed him. “And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured” (28:9). Not only is God the controller of wind and sea, He controls disease as well.
On to Rome
After three months in Malta, they were able to secure passage on a ship that had wintered on the island. From Malta, they proceeded to Syracuse where they stopped for three days and then journeyed on to Puteoli (the Italian port for Rome).
At Puteoli, Paul and his companions visited with some brethren for seven days before proceeding on to Rome. When they were met part way by brethren from the ecclesia in Rome, “Paul thanked God and took courage” (v.15).
Paul preaches at Rome
When they arrived at Rome, the benevolent captain of the guard permitted Paul to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
Very quickly, Paul called the local leaders of the Jews together, explaining to them the cause of his arrest and his innocence of any offense against Jewish customs. It was “for the hope of Israel” that he was bound in chains (vs. 17-20). While they had heard nothing regarding Paul, the Jews wanted to know more about Christianity. Accordingly, a day was set when Paul would explain to them the gospel.
After hearing his explanation of the law and the prophets as related to Jesus, some believed and some did not. To the unbelieving Jews, Paul quoted the words of Isaiah 6:9-10, warning them about the danger of hearing without understanding because of coldness of heart. He warned them, as well, that the salvation of God was being sent to the Gentiles who were responding to the word of God.
As we have reviewed the missionary journeys recorded in Acts, we are greatly encouraged by Paul’s example. Let us continue the work of the gospel and teach all who have eyes to see and ears to hear until our Lord comes and says, “well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One