Lesson 33: Paul’s Perilous Voyage from Caesarea to Italy (27:1-44)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study A.Paul (and company) left Caesarea, headed for Rome, to stand before Caesar (27:1-8). 1.Paul had appealed to Caesar, therefore, by Roman law, he must stand before Caesar. 2.An entire chapter (44 verses) is devoted to Paul’s perilous voyage to Italy. Why? 3.Paul had at least two friends, travel companions with him on the perilous voyage. 4.Paul and other prisoners were delivered to a centurion named Julius (27:1, 3, 43). 5.The large Alexandrian ship sailed with difficulty from Myra to Fair Havens (27:6-8). I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study B.Paul warned against sailing further in dangerous conditions but was rejected (27:9-12). 1.This was a dangerous time of year to be sailing and Paul warned of disaster (27:9-10). 2.However, “the majority” decided to sail from Fair Havens for Phoenix (27:11-12). I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study C.Paul and company got caught at sea in a “typhoon” called Euraquilo (27:13-20). 1.A “northeaster” came from the mountains & pushed the ship out to sea (27:14-15). 2.Totally unprepared, the sailors secured the dinghy and undergirded the ship (16-17). 3.They were “violently storm-tossed” and unable to determine their location (without seeing sun or stars), so they gradually abandoned all hope of being saved (27:18, 20). I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study D.Paul and company were assured that God would deliver without loss of life (27:21-26). 1.Paul reflected on the wisdom of his personal advice in Fair Havens (cf. 27:10) to draw his listeners to adhere even more to the Divine wisdom he was about to share (27:21). 2.Paul assured there would be no loss of life because God had so promised (27:22-26). I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study E.In a night of horrible fear, Paul encouraged his shipmates to follow God’s plan (27:27-38). 1.After 14 harrowing nights on turbulent seas, they began to draw near land (27:27). 2.They “took soundings” by throwing a lead weight on a rope into the sea to measure. 3.Fearing the “run aground” reality of Paul’s message (27:26, 29), they made ready. 4.Paul again assured they would be saved, but they had to obey God’s plan (27:31). I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study F.Paul and company shipwrecked on Malta, abandoned ship & all were saved (27:39-44). 1.Having already recorded three shipwrecks (2 Cor. 11:25), this was Paul’s fourth. 2.As day dawned, they made a run for shore but struck a reef/sandbar (27:39-41). 3.The ship was gradually breaking up in the violent waves, so they abandoned ship (41). 4.Lest they be killed for losing prisoners (12:19), the soldiers planned to kill them (27:42). 5.Julius, knowing Paul saved all of their lives, determined to save Paul’s life (27:43-44). 6.As God had promised (27:22, 31, 34), they all made it safely to land (27:44). I.

A.God’s promises never fail! 1.God had promised Paul that he would see Rome (23:11+27:24), and He doesn’t fail! 2.The nature of God’s promises: “Not a word failed…All came to pass” (Josh. 21:45). 3.The nature of God: His “word is truth” (John 17:17) and He “cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). 4.The last sentence: “They all escaped safely to land” (27:44), just as God promised! II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

B.God’s promises of salvation are conditional! 1.God had promised all lives would be saved (27:22, 24, 34), even when no hope (20). 2.However, His promise was not unconditional. They had to obey His word to be saved! a)“Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved” (27:31). 3.God’s promise of salvation from sin & eternal life is also conditioned on obedience. a)“Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3-5). II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

C.God’s providence is a certainty and a marvel to behold, yet difficult to pinpoint precisely. 1.In the big picture, Paul knew he would make it to Rome (23:11; 27:24). But how? 2.God did not employ miraculous measures to fulfill His promise, but natural means. 3.In the big picture, we may not know how God is working, but He is (Ro. 8:28; Phil. 2:13)! II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

A.May we be able to say that we constantly belong to God and constantly serve Him! B.May we be able to say that we absolutely believe God will keep His Word to precision! C.May we trust God’s promises and obey Him fully, in order to receive His blessings! D.Even in the midst tumultuous storms of life, let us give thanks to God for His provision! III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives