The Perils of Paul:
Shipwreck on Malta
Introduction:
A. 2 Cor. 11:22-33 – Paul knew persecution. He knew anxiety. He knew what it means to suffer shame for Christ.
1. Phil. 3:7-10
B. Dangers Paul mentions in 11:26 occurred BEFORE the story we have in Acts 27-28 w/Paul’s journey to Rome.
C. Acts account: Paul has spent 2 years in prison on trumped up charges by the Jews – who were bent on killing him.
1. When Paul understands that Festus was not interested in trying him in Caesarea – but in Jerusalem to do Jews a favor – Paul appeals to Caesar.
a) Had Paul not appealed to Caesar – Jews would have had an upper hand on his life.
Acts 27 – The Journey & Shipwreck.
A. Luke is with Paul.
1. Luke – author of Acts. A gentile, physician. Would have been welcome on the ship b/c of his profession. Traveled w/Paul throughout his journeys. Remained faithful to God even when majority seemed to turn away.
2. Aristarchus is with Paul. – traveled w/Paul on 3rd missionary journey.
B. When the journey begins – probably in September.
1. 27:9 – Fast mentioned. Refers to Jewish Day of Atonement. On that year it fell in the first half of October.
2. Navigational practices of the time said sailing was doubtful by end of September & impossible by November.
C. 27:2-3 – Caesarea to Sidon. 70 miles N of Caesarea. Paul able to receive care from brethren.
D. 27:4-5 – Sidon to Myra in Lycia.
1. Due to contrary winds, some have estimated that the journey from Sidon to Myra took 15 days.
E. 27:6 - At Myra – they board an Alexandrian grain ship.
F. 27:7 – Myra to Cnidus. Some say it took 3 weeks to sail the 130 mile distance. W/a good wind, they could have made this distance in around 24 hours.
G. 27:8 – Cnidus to Fair Havens.
1. Impossible to continue along the coast of Asia Minor because of prevailing winds. Set sail toward Crete – to go along the southern edge of the island and get a break from the wind.
H. 27:9-13 – at Fair Havens.
1. Fair Havens nothing more than a small bay. City of Lasea 2 hours inland. Waited possibly 1-2 weeks for winds to change.
2. A “ship’s council” is held. Majority decide to sail on.
3. Would try to make it to Phoenix harbor on Crete – 35 miles NW.
4. 27:13 – when a Southerly wind comes up they feel they can make it easily to Phoenix harbor.
I. 27:14 – sudden wind comes off the land from the NE – blown off course. Now headed S/SW away from the island.
1. Blown 23 miles S to Clauda – where they barely had enough time to make arrangements to ride out the storm.
2. They begin to fear being driven into the shallows off the coast of N. Africa.
3. Storm lasts for days. Having to throw over every non essential thing.
J. 27:19-20 – no small storm. All hope gradually slipping away. One by one they lose hope.
K. 27:21-26 – we see Paul’s faith in action.
1. When everyone else has given up – his faith in God rings true.
2. His hope was in the living God – who hears the prayers of His saints.
3. God expects no less than our own absolute trust! It has always been this way.
1. Jesus – w/the cross. Let us never underestimate what it took for Jesus to die & suffer on our behalf.
2. Mt. 16:24 – it is the same for us. Do we have the same amount of courage? Are we really willing to go all the way with Jesus?
4. It was Paul’s absolute trust that allowed him to say Gal. 2:20.
5. It allowed him to have courage in the most overwhelming circumstances – 2 Tim. 1, 4.
6. Here in Acts 27 – it is because of his extreme trust that he takes a commander type role.
L. 21:27-32 – thwarts a plan by sailors to escape the ship when it is evident they are going to run aground.
M. 27:33-38 – After this they take food & this is important because they have very important tasks ahead of them the next morning.
1. It is at the midst of this – that there seems to be an element of calmness that overtakes them.
2. Paul has made them all aware that God is in control.
3. Christians: we must possess the kind of faith that will stand up under adversity! 2 Tim. 1:7
N. 27:38-44 – ship runs aground. Every one of them survived – all 276 people.
On Malta.
A. Originally a Phoenician colony. 20 Miles long by 10 miles wide.
B. Malta from a word which means “refuge.”
C. 28:2 – natives showed the extraordinary kindness. They received all 276 passengers.
D. 28:3-6 – Paul snake bit as he threw sticks onto the fire. Very poisonous snake. Natives thought he would die.
1. Natives figured he had committed a vicious crime, murder, and that this was justice being delivered to him.
2. When they seem Paul unharmed – they believed he was a god.
E. 28:7-10 – events at the house of Publius.
1. Publius was the governor of the island. Showed Paul and companions great hospitality.
2. Paul heals his sick father from dysentery & as a result many on the island hear of it & come to be healed of their diseases.
F. Tradition: Publius became an early leader of the church on Malta. Some say he succeeded Dionysus as the bishop of Athens and was later martyred for his faith.
The Journey to Rome continues…
A. From here, Paul sails on to Rome – where he would remain under house arrest until he appeared before Caesar. It is speculated that after this 1st Roman imprisonment he is released sometime in 63 AD & has an opportunity once again to preach & teach the gospel.
Matthew Allen
2100 S. Hornaday Rd.
Brownsburg, IN 46112
(317) 852-4645