Paul's Life - Paul's Voyage to Rome = July 25

Paul & His Associates Sail to Rome

Series on the Life of Paul

Possible Date: 60-61 A. D.

Scripture: 27:1--28:10

NOTE: 

#Paul

#Apostle Paul

#Rome

#Journey

The time now approaches for Paul to be sent to Rome to make his appeal to Caesar. Paul is placed in the custody of a Roman official named Julius and is accompanied by Luke and Aristarchus, a brother in the Lord from Thessalonica. What follows is Luke's account of their almost disastrous voyage from Caesarea to Rome. Leaving Caesarea, they sail North along the Syrian coast to Sidon, then west along the southern coast of what is known today as Turkey, past the ancient provinces of Cilicia and Pamphylia, to the port city of Myra in Lycia. 

At Myra, Paul's entourage obtains passage on an Egyptian ship bound for Italy with both cargo and 276 persons on board. Despite a warning from Paul, that trouble awaits them, the crew set sail and they soon find themselves in difficulty off the east coast of the island of Crete. Attempting to make a safe harbor at Phoenix, on the west coast, the ship is blown off course during a 2-week storm and finally breaks apart as it approaches the small island of Malta (Melita), south of Sicily. By God's grace, however, all lives are spared. During the next 3 months. Paul works among the people of Malta and heals many of their diseases. When it is once again safe to sail, the group sets out for Italy on another Egyptian ship that has been waiting out winter storms in the harbor of Malta. The remainder of the voyage is happily uneventful, and Luke records the warm welcome that they receive from the brethren in Italy. 

The Voyage To Rome

(60-61 A.D.)

INTRODUCTION

• At long last, Paul is headed for Rome...
• As he had wanted to do for some time - cf. Acts 19:21; Romans 1:9-11,15; 15:23-29
• As the Lord had revealed in a vision - Acts 23:11
• Paul is not going as a tourist but as a prisoner...
• Having been arrested in Jerusalem two years earlier - Acts 21:26-36
• Having defended himself in various trials
• Before the mob in Jerusalem - Acts 21:37-22:29
• Before the Sanhedrin council in Jerusalem - Acts 22:30-23:10
• Before Felix the governor in Caesarea - Acts 23:11-24:27
• Before Festus the governor in Caesarea - Acts 25:1-12
• Before King Herod Agrippa II in Caesarea - Acts 25:13-26:32 -- Going to Rome because he had exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case before Caesar - Acts 25:11-12; 26:30-32

[The voyage to Rome would not be without trials of its own. Traveling by sea was extremely very hazardous in those days. Paul had already experienced three shipwrecks (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:25-26). He is about to add to his experiences of “perils in the sea”. The first leg of the trip was...]

I. FROM CAESAREA TO MYRA

A. THE JOURNEY BEGINS...

• Paul was placed in the care of Julius, a Roman centurion - Acts 27:1
• Of the Augustan Regiment, a division consisting of 400-600 men (Barnes)
• Perhaps named in honor of the Roman emperor Augustus
• Along with some other prisoners - Acts 27:1; cf. 27:42
• Paul was joined by two dear friends - Acts 27:1-2
• Luke, the author of Acts and “beloved physician” (Corinthians 4:14), as evidenced by the use of “we”
• Aristarchus, from Thessalonica of Macedonia
• Who had faced the mob in Ephesus - Acts 19:29
• Who had returned with Paul to Asia - Acts 20:4
• Later described as Paul’s “fellow prisoner” and “fellow laborer” - Corinthians 4:10; Philemon 24
• Placed on a ship of Adramyttium - Acts 27:2
• A maritime town of Mysia in Asia Minor (Barnes)
• Located between Troas and Pergamos

B. ALONG THE COAST OF PHOENICIA...

• From Caesarea they sailed to Sidon - Acts 27:3
• At Sidon, the Roman centurion allowed Paul to visit friends and receive care

C. AROUND THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS...

• From Sidon they sailed “under” Cyprus - Acts 27:4
• Because of the winds
• Where Paul had gone on his first missionary journey - Acts 13:4-12
• They continued off the coasts of Cilicia and Pamphylia - Acts 27:5
• Cilicia, where Paul was born, and spent five years after becoming a disciple of Christ - Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:21
• Pamphylia, where PerGalatians was located - cf. Acts 13:13; 14:24-25

D. ARRIVING AT MYRA...

• A city of Lycia, the province west of Pamphylia - Acts 27:5
• At Myra, the centurion books passage on an Alexandrian (Egypt) ship sailing to Italy - Acts 27:6

[The first leg of the trip appears to have been a pleasant one, despite the rough winds they encountered near Cyprus. But those winds were nothing compared to what they would experience on the next leg of their voyage...]

II. FROM MYRA TO MALTA

A. SLOW BOAT TO CRETE...

• It was slow sailing for many days - Acts 27:7
• They arrived with difficulty off Cnidus (on the coast of Asia Minor, northwest of the island of Rhodes)
• The wind forced them to sail westward under Crete off Salmone (on the eastern promontory of the island)
• With difficulty they arrived at Fair Havens - Acts 27:8
• Near the city of Lasea
• On the southern part of the island of Crete
• Where they spent “much time” - Acts 27:9
• Sailing was now dangerous because the Fast (Day Of Atonement) was over
• This would have been around September or October
• Paul’s advice is ignored - Acts 27:9-12
• He perceived that the voyage would end in disaster
• With the loss of cargo and ship
• With the loss of their lives
• The centurion is persuaded otherwise
• By the helmsman and owner of the ship
• Because the harbor at Fair Havens was not suitable for winter
• The majority prevailed to try for Phoenix (Phenice), a harbor that faced both southwest and northwest

B. STRONG WIND NEAR CLAUDA...

• Lured by a soft south wind, they sailed along the coast of Crete - Acts 27:13
• They were soon caught up by a strong wind - Acts 27:14-15
• Called “Euroclydon” (lit., wind wave), perhaps a hurricane or typhoon
• Forced to let the wind just drive the ship
• A short reprieve near the island of Clauda - Acts 27:16-17
• A small island southwest of Crete
• Where they secured the small skiff (boat) onboard
• Where they used cables to undergird the ship
• They struck sail, fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis Sands (quicksands off the coast of Africa)
• At the mercy of the winds - Acts 27:17-19
• Driven and tossed by the tempest
• Throwing ship’s tackle overboard to lighten the ship
• Paul’s comforting words, prompted by a visit from an angel - Acts 27:20-26
• After many days without seeing the sun or stars, all hope was lost
• After a long abstinence from food, Paul addresses those on the ship
• Reminding them they should have listened to him
• Encouraging them to take heart, for no lives would be lost, only the ship
• An angel had appeared to Paul, telling him:
• Not to be afraid, for he must appear before Caesar
• God has granted the lives of all those with him
• Paul encourages them to take heart, though they must run aground on a certain island

C. SHIPWRECKED ON MALTA...

• After two weeks in the Adriatic Sea, they run aground - Acts 27:27-44
• Sensing they were nearing ground around midnight, soundings confirmed their fears
• Sailors attempted to flee using the skiff, but Paul and the Roman soldiers prevented them, letting the skiff fall off the ship
• At dawn, Paul encourages them to eat and offers thanks in their presence
• They then further lightened the ship by throwing the wheat into the sea
• In daylight, they tried to run the ship into a bay with a beach
• The prow of the ship ran aground where two seas met, and the stern began to break up
• The Roman soldiers planned to kill the prisoners but were prevented by the centurion who wanted to save Paul
• All made it land, some swimming, others on broken pieces of the ship
• 2. Three months on the island of Malta (Melita, 60 miles S from Sicily) - Acts 28:1-10
• Where the natives made them welcome
• Where Paul amazed the people when he did not die from a poisonous snake bite - cf. Mark 16:17-18
• Where Paul healed Publius’ father of a fever and dysentery
• Where they were honored in many ways, and provided with whatever was necessary when they departed

[For the fourth time in his life, Paul had experienced a shipwreck. Yet God was with him, and would be with him as he and his traveling companions continued their journey...]

III. FROM MALTA TO ROME

A. ON THE SHIP TO ROME...

• After three months on the island, they sail from Malta - Acts 28:11
• On an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead “The Twin Brothers”
• Which had wintered on the island
• They sailed to Syracuse (capital of Sicily), where they stayed three days - Acts 28:12
• From there they circled about to Rhegium (a city on the SW extremity of Italy) - Acts 28:13
• With the aid of a south wind, they sailed on to Puteoli (8 miles NW of Naples) - Acts 28:13-14
• Where they found brethren!
• Where they were invited to say seven days

B. ON THE ROAD TO ROME...

• From Puteoli they head to Rome - Acts 28:14
• Brethren from Rome hear of their coming - Acts 28:15
• They came to meet Paul and his companions
• When Paul saw them, He thanked God and took courage
• Finally, they arrive in Rome! - Acts 28:16
• The centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard
• Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him

CONCLUSION

• Several years earlier, Paul had written of his desire and prayers to meet his brethren in Rome - cf. Romans 1:8-10
• Paul finally had his desire granted, and for two years remained in Rome...
• Yes, it was as a prisoner awaiting his appeal before Caesar
• But as we shall see in our next study, it was a fruitful time in which he taught, preached, and wrote much about the gospel of Jesus Christ!

What helped Paul throughout his voyage and the remaining years of his life was “the God to whom I belong and whom I serve” (cf. Acts 27:23). Later, Paul would write:

“And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Timothy 4:18)

May the example and faith of the apostle Paul encourage us to serve the same God with the same faith he did!

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Acts 24:1-27 Paul Appears Before Felix

Paul Appears Before Felix
Acts 24:1-27

If someone were to bribe you to do a favor for them, what's the most effective incentive they could use: A return favor? Your favorite meal? Free babysitting? Money? Flattery? Other?

#God                   #People            #Time #Place               #Obedient faith            #Sin     #Key Idea

Acts 24:1-27

 

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea

1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4But, to detain^a you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.^b 8By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

9The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

10And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

Paul Kept in Custody

22But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

24After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

 

Hashtags
#Paul
#Jews
#Ananias – high priest
#some elders
#Tertullus – a spokesman
#The governor
#Felix (wife Drusilla)
#Nazarenes
#Prophets
#the council
#Lysias
# Porcius Festus

Places
#temple or in the synagogues

Topics
#resurrection
#the Way
#trial
#reasoned

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• Felix had a reputation of violently suppressing rebellions against Rome. How might Tertullus hope that would compensate for the lack of evidence he can offer? 
• What difference can you see in the style Tertullus uses in verses 2-4, to present his case to Felix compared to Paul's style? 
• How would all the charges in verses 5-6 seem true to Ananias and Tertullus? What does their reference to Christians as the "Nazarene sect show about their view of Christianity? 
• How then does Paul defend himself in verses 11-19?
• Put yourself in the place of Felix. In light of the riot in Jerusalem over Paul (if you only had Lysias letter (23:26-30), the accusations of the Jews, and Paul's word to go on). what would you do? 
• What do you learn about Felix from verses 22-26? Why does he merely put Paul under house arrest? 
• In light of Acts 23:11, what must Paul be feeling as time wears on and no progress at all Is made?
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• How has your desire to serve Christ been misunderstood by others? How did you feel then? 
• What's the difference between being well acquainted with the Way" (v. 22) and being a true believer? How long were you well acquainted" before you became a believer? 
• Have you ever felt there was a period in your life that was “dead time” -- when nothing seemed to be happening at all (as seems to be the case with Paul)? Why do you think God allows such times in our lives? 
• Consider verse 25. When have discussions on righteousness, self-control and judgment troubled you? Why?
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

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NO MORE THAN TWELVE DAYS AGO, ACTS 24:11

                                                            By Mark Moore

 

 Days         1           2           3         4               Events:

1				1	Arrival in Jerusalem, 21:17
2				2	Went to meet James, 21:18
3			1	3	Went up to the Temple to Pay for Purification vows, 21:26
4–9	1–7		2–3	4–9	Almost Seven Days, 21:27
10		1	4	10	Paul Arrested, 21:27
11		2	5	11	Trial before the Sanhedrin, 22:30
12		3	6	12	Assassination plot and Paul's escape, 23:12
13		4	7		Paul's arrival in Caesarea, 23:33
14–17	8–11	5–8	8–11		Paul waits for Tertullus
18	12	9	12		Paul's Trial before Felix, 24:1

 

Solutions:

1.            Count only the days that Paul spent waiting.  There were seven days waiting for the purification to be complete and five days waiting for Tertullus to arrive.  That makes for good math but poor exegesis.  It does not account for all the other important days in this scenario.

2.            Begin counting the twelve days at Paul's arrest.  This solution leaves three extra days but still fits Paul's words, "No more than 12 days ago . . ."  However, it does not accurately describe when Paul went up to Jerusalem.

3.            Begin counting the twelve days when Paul first went up to worship in the temple (i.e. when he paid for the purification vows, 21:26).  This is a better description of Paul's words "went up to Jerusalem to worship" (24:11).  However, it leaves only 2–3 days for what Paul calls "nearly seven days" (21:27).

4.            Count only the days that Paul was in Jerusalem.  Granted, these would be the only days germane to the charges—that he stirred up trouble and defiled the temple in Jerusalem (24:5–8).  But that is somewhat of a loose interpretation of 24:11 since it overlooks the last five days.