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Post by Admin on Dec 22, 2019 22:08:34 GMT -6
ACTS 27:1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. 9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there. 13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. 21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.” 27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go. 33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. 39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. ACTS 28:1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed. 11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. 17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
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For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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JB
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Dedicated TruthSeeker
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Post by JB on Dec 28, 2019 22:26:12 GMT -6
Acts 27:1-12
Paul was a prisoner without a crime - without even an accusation of a crime – and was on his way to the highest court and in the land to appeal to the highest authority in the land (Caesar Nero), with opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ through his words and actions to a multitude of people from every station of life: prisoners, Roman soldiers, ship captains, prison guards, King Agrippa, the reigning Caesar, et al. Only Paul could get himself into a situation like that. You and I would have probably never lived our lives so freely in the service of Christ, nor put aside the pleasures and enticements of worldly living, nor been so fully dedicated to making every event an opportunity to spread the gospel, to have been where Paul was here. Add to Paul's sold-out, all-in commitment a calamity to terrify the hearts and minds of those around him, and everything is just perfect for showing unbelievers God's greatness, power and love. What we see is a man who, though he was an innocent and mistreated prisoner, demonstrated both his love for those around him and his communion with God. That began here in 27:10 when he let those in change know that he perceived a shipwreck ahead. They didn't listen to him, of course, until his prediction came true. When it did, it established some credibility. Acts 27:13-20
27:13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
A northeaster (more properly called a levanter) like this is a fierce storm in the Gibraltar area of the Mediterranean Sea, often forming cyclones and lasting for days. The wind blowing in every direction can put a ship in a tailspin, crashing it against land. There is no way to maintain control. Thus, Luke wrote "all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned" (v.20). What a great opportunity for God to show Himself! Acts 27:21-26
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
Paul points out that they should have listened to him, but he doesn't pat himself on the back… he points them to God, showing them the benefits of walking with God. He doesn't jump up on the nearest rock and begin telling them they're sinners who are at risk of dying any moment on their way to Hell. Instead, Paul describes his recent encounter with the Great One. He leaves them to decide what god they will serve in this very desperate moment. Acts 27:27-32
27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.
Once again in this section the men onboard have an opportunity to trust Paul's God. "God told me to tell you" [implied] "that anyone who doesn't stay in the ship won't live through the storm." Acts 27:33-38
Acts 27:33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.)38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
Notice that Paul took on the role of servant to these men. He warned them of danger, he guided them through it, and he used all of that as an opportunity to point them toward God's providence. Doesn't it seem like a given that these men would become interested in Paul's faith after witnessing God's response to his faith? Acts 27:39-44
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
It would have been perfectly normal under these circumstances for the soldiers to kill all of the prisoners to avoid their escape, as described in v.42. But the Centurion had been affected by Paul's faith and God's power and wanted him preserved. Acts 28:1-61 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
The natives, though they showed "unusual kindness" to this group of 276 people, would have known that it was a ship full of convicted criminals. So when a viper bit Paul, the superstitious natives quickly decided Paul did the worst sort of crime to deserve it: he must have murdered someone. What they learned instead was the power of God.
Acts 28:7-1028:7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
God showed up again through Paul here, providing him an opportunity to heal the chief's sick father and many other people on the island. After all of this, how could anyone in this part of the story of Acts not be drawn to Paul's God?
Acts 28:11-31
28:11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. 17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” 21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 27 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.” 30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
The rest of Chapter 28 is pretty simply summarized: The Jews in Rome don't have any preconceived ideas about him. He spends 2 years in Rome, sharing his Christian faith with them. Some are interested. Others aren't.
Ultimately Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 to these Jewish leaders: " Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed." In other words, God has closed the eyes and ears of most of Israel because they have refused to believe in Him, so his attention needs to be focused upon taking the message of Christ to the gentiles
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John R
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Dedicated TruthSeeker
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Post by John R on Dec 31, 2019 12:09:20 GMT -6
JB said, "God showed up again through Paul here,..." The theme throughout these closing chapters of Acts is God working through people to do His work of salvation. Genesis 1:28 is famously called the kingdom mandate, "God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” In it God directs Adam and Eve to subdue the earth and spread Eden across the planet. God chose humankind in our flawed condition, to do what he certainly could do on His own, in this case using Paul to spread the gospel to this part of the world. Paul's every step was taken through open doors and the leading of the Lord. In perfect obedience Paul walked in God's power asking those around him to trust and believe. They made a perilous journey safely and Paul now stood in Rome where he would spend two more years proclaiming the gospel on the continent of Europe as God's "imager" being His hands and feet to fulfill the Genesis 1:28 mandate.
Happy New Year! John |
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Post by Admin on Jan 1, 2020 7:08:39 GMT -6
JB said, "God showed up again through Paul here,..." The theme throughout these closing chapters of Acts is God working through people to do His work of salvation. Genesis 1:28 is famously called the kingdom mandate, "God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” In it God directs Adam and Eve to subdue the earth and spread Eden across the planet. God chose humankind in our flawed condition, to do what he certainly could do on His own, in this case using Paul to spread the gospel to this part of the world. Paul's every step was taken through open doors and the leading of the Lord. In perfect obedience Paul walked in God's power asking those around him to trust and believe. They made a perilous journey safely and Paul now stood in Rome where he would spend two more years proclaiming the gospel on the continent of Europe as God's "imager" being His hands and feet to fulfill the Genesis 1:28 mandate.
Happy New Year! John John, thank you for bringing Genesis 1:28 into this.
God gave Adam and Eve the mandate to fill the earth and subdue it (Gen 1:28).
After sin entered and blossomed in the world, God sent a flood to destroy it so that it could be repopulated
After the flood destroyed the earth, Noah was given that same mandate Adam and Eve were given to fill the earth and subdue it (Gen. 9:1) and God declared that He would create new heavens and a new earth ( (Isa. 65:17; Isa. 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13).
After God entered our fallen world in Christ, we were given the same mandate in the form of "go into all the world to make disciples" (Matt 28:19-20).
Those commands weren't just given so that the earth could have more tenants. They were given to expand YHWH's kingdom on earth - which will one day be His kingdom again.
Today we have the same mandate to advance God's kingdom.
It's so much easier to see these truths when we begin with the understanding that we were not created to seek our own pleasures. We were created to be the beneficiaries of God's love and grace for HIS pleasure; to radiate HIS glory, for HIS sake. It was not good for God to be alone before it was not good for man to be alone.
The story of the Bible begins with “God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1) and ends with "a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away" (Rev 21:1).
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