Lesson 11
REVIEW:
Paul's "Mission coordinator" phase took off in Ephesus. The Rev. 2 churches were started by the Ephesian church. His church planting ministry sped up here due to the team approach he uses.
All the practical administration (apostolic) that Paul had been groomed for (by the HS) came together in Ephesus. He built the model he really wanted to build.
There were four major churches in Paul's life that he started. Phillippi, Thessalonica, Corinth & Ephesus. Each has different complexities, personalities and problems.
Philippian church - giving church
Thessalonian - suffering church
Corinth - carnal, immature, extremely gifted
Ephesian - mother church or model we should go for. Apostolic church. Other churches send out ministry, but Ephesus sends many apostles out.
Almost all present day churches fit into these models. Each church will fit about 80% into one of these models.
Rev. 2 says that Ephesus has its problems. They have birthed many churches but Ephesus has run out of gas. Vision has withered. They begin to think they had birthed these churches. But Jesus says that He holds the candlesticks. He is the one who empowers and builds the house. To Ephesus - get on with it or what you have will be taken away (He will develop another energy center).
The Demetrius of Acts 19:24, a silversmith who starts a riot against Paul and Co. due to losing business (greed), may be the same guy that John talks about years later. The Gaius mentioned is the same one seized in the riot. This letter was written to elder Gaius (surviving a riot is qualification of eldership)
3 John 1
1 The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. (NASB)
3 John 12 Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and you know that our witness is true. (NASB)
Acts 20:1 - after the uproar had ceased.... Paul wrote 1 Cor. during this time. Bruce believes 5 letters were sent in all. Our 1 Cor. would be C and II Cor. would be D & E.
Acts 20:2-3 Paul in Greece (Corinth) for 3 months. Romans was written in the spring of 58 AD from Corinth. Romans 1:1-15 tells us that Paul is writing to the Roman church that he has never seen.
Summary at this point:
Paul has gone to Illyricum during his 3rd trip. He is in Corinth (Rom. 15:19-33) and has made a decision to go to Jerusalem. He believes he will face severe problems in Jerusalem. Everywhere he has gone he has started churches. Now, with no further place to go (vs. 15:23), He has finished all he set out to do. He has been carrying out the vision he received in Jerusalem. If he goes back, he believes he might receive more insight into what to do next. Spain is in the back of his mind. If he goes to Spain, he plans to stop and see the church at Rome, and maybe they can help him get there (finances, etc.)
Romans, II Cor., and Acts all talk of the collection for the poor at Jerusalem. He chastises them at Corinth for not working hard enough at this. He compares the giving of the Macedonian churches.
What's going on with Paul at this time. Next phase is being planned in his mind. Maybe got the idea in Ephesus. He 's going to deliver money to needy Jerusalem saints. Is it that the Jerusalem church got this whole thing going, and we need to help now that they are in need. Is it that Paul is still getting some flak from Jerusalem as to whether he is doing a credible thing. He takes a whole company with him to Jerusalem from all different churches (as examples of fruit?).
Acts 20:3 - The Jews planned a plot against him as he was about to set sail for Syria. Paul takes a land route instead through Macedonia. A large company of his fellow travelers go on ahead of him and he meets them in Troas.
3 And there he spent three months, and when a plot was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 4 And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus; and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 But these had gone on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas within five days; and there we stayed seven days.
Paul company is listed in vs. 4, plus Luke and Titus.
While waiting in Troas for a ship, Paul is preaching until midnight (using the time). He talked until daybreak.
7 And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. 8 And there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together. 9 And there was a certain young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor, and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down and fell upon him and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him." 11 And when he had gone back up, and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.
Acts 20:13 - They set sail for Assos. Paul went there by land. Bruce says he stayed behind to check on Eutychus.
13 But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for thus he had arranged it, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
Acts 20:16 Paul sails past Ephesus, in a hurry to get to Jerusalem by day of Pentecost. From Miletus he sent for the Ephesian elders. Acts 20:17-38 Paul gives his closing words to them. What grieves them most was that they would never see him again. Paul is entrusting the church to his disciples. He will later send Timothy to help them because they were not doing so well.
Acts 21:3-4 Landed at Tyre in Syria. He stayed with disciples for 7 days. Through the Spirit, they kept telling him not to set foot in Jerusalem. God is telling Paul to get ready - problems are coming.
Acts 21:5 Paul departs and comes to Caesarea with Phillip the evangelist (probably the pastor in Caesarea).
Acts 21:10-11 Agabus, the same prophet as prophesied the famine earlier in Antioch, says Jews will bind Paul and deliver him to gentiles.
Acts 21:12-
12 And when we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, "The will of the Lord be done!"
15 And after these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Manson of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge.
This was to allow Paul's company, many of whom are gentiles, to stay in lodging since Jews would not receive them while they were in Jerusalem. For Greeks Paul has Titus from Antioch or Troas, Luke from Philippi, Trophimus from Ephesus, Tychicus from Ephesus, Gaius from Derbe, Aristarchus from Thess., Secundus from Thess., Sopater from Berea and Timothy from Lystra. A couple of other guys show up later not listed here.
Why did Paul take these men to Jerusalem? To show Jerusalem his fruit. They also had money from offerings to give to Jerusalem elders. Probably each individual church took their own money to show the love each had for Jerusalem. Jerusalem took gifts, but no mention of gifts or of gentile fruit. They do tell Paul that all the synagogues Paul has stirred up have reported back to Jerusalem synagogue, making it especially tough on Jerusalem church. So they told him - do what we tell you. Take these four men and pay their expenses so that nothing can be said to the effect that you walk disorderly not keeping the law.
Acts 21:24 - Enter Paul with 4 men keeping the nazarite vow. Paul is to pay their expenses - for animal sacrifices. Paul took these men and gave notice, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. Why?
1. Paul is doing all that he can do to not be a stumbling block to Jews to not receive the gospel.
2. Paul has enough liberty to know it was unnecessary, but he submitted himself to this Jerusalem
eldership (Biblical principle).
3. Same principle as when Paul circumcised Timothy for expediency.
Acts 21:27-36 While Paul was in the temple doing this purification rite, Jews from Asia (Ephesus) started a riot saying that Paul had brought a Greek into the temple.
The Jews laid hands on Paul, dragging him out of the Inner Court into the Outer Court. If the Jews had left him in the inner court they could have killed him with no Roman interference. Romans prohibited by their government from entering the inner court.
Acts 21:31 The Romans learned of the confusion, and when they arrived, the crowd stopped beating Paul. Paul was taken to the barracks or tower overlooking the temple.
31 And while they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 And at once he took along some soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. 34 But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts on account of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he got to the stairs, it so happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob; 36 for the multitude of the people kept following behind, crying out, "Away with him!"
37 And as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek? 38 "Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?" 39 But Paul said, "I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people." 40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying,
There was an Egyptian who said that the end was coming and led men to mountain top to wait for messiah. The Procurators stepped in. Felix slaughtered 4000 people. The Egyptian ringleader got away. The Commander thought he had got him.
Acts 21:40 Paul speaks to the crowd in the Hebrew dialect. This is 58 AD, some 20-22 years have passed since Paul persecuted Christians. Most of the people who don't know his past are finding out. Paul have his Kerygma in Antioch at the start of his mission journey #1. Now at the end of his public ministry, God is giving Paul an opportunity to do it again. He gives his Kerygma.
Acts; 22:18 Paul tells of his vision he had in temple 3 years after his conversion. vs. 21 God says - Go for I will send you far away to the gentiles.
Some 5000 people are listening to this up to this point. They raise their voices "Away with such a fellow, he should not be allowed to live". Crowd goes crazy.
Acts 22:22
22 And they listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!" 23 And as they were crying out and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. 25 And when they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?" 26 And when the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman." 27 And the commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes." 28 And the commander answered, "I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money." And Paul said, "But I was actually born a citizen." 29 Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him; and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains.
Example of how Rome treated the non-Roman. "Your guilty until you are proven innocent". Execute judgment of the moment depending on what the man in charge wanted at the time. The commander is saying that he bought citizenship from his connections with people in power - with influence. Paul says "I was born a citizen", implication is that Paul knows powerful people - influential people. He is from no insignificant city, implication is that Paul knows people and is from well to do family. Commander becomes very careful.
Acts 22:30 - They keep Paul overnight - illegal, yet the commander is in trouble with Jews.
30 But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
1 And Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, "Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day." 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! And do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?" 4 But the bystanders said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" 5 And Paul said, "I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"
Paul plays one side against the other.
Acts 23:6 '" 6 But perceiving that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!" 7 And as he said this, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 And there arose a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" 10 And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.
The commander is afraid of getting in trouble by not taking care of Paul. So - take him back to barracks.
Acts 23:12-15 Sicarii - hired assassins, going to assassinate Paul. Implication is that they are trained assassins.
12 And when it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 And there were more than forty who formed this plot. 14 And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 "Now, therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place."
vs 16 - son of Paul's sister hears of the ambush and told Paul.
Acts 23:23 Gets 470 soldiers to take Paul to Felix, the governor in Caesarea
23 And he called to him two of the centurions, and said, "Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen." 24 They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter having this form:
Acts 23:26-35
26 "Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings. 27 "When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came upon them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28 "And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Council; 29 and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment. 30 "And when I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you."
31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But the next day, leaving the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the barracks. 33 And when these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 And when he had read it, he asked from what province he was; and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, "I will give you a hearing after your accusers arrive also," giving orders for him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium. (NASB)
ˆ
Acts 24 - We are 19 days from Paul getting off ship originally in Jerusalem. Paul is presented to Felix. They must wait for the Jews to come.
Acts 24:1-9
1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with a certain attorney named Tertullus; and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. 2 And after Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 "But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. 5 "For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 "And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him.( And we wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 "But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.) And by examining him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him. " 9 And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. (NASB)
Paul was accused of :
1. Dissension
2. Heresy
3. Desecration or Blasphemy of Temple - same charge that Paul went to Damascus to get christians for. Paul has come full circle. He is being accused of the same things he accused others of now.
Acts 24:10-21 Paul defends himself.
10 And when the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 "And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. 13 "Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. 14 "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 "In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 17 "Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were certain Jews from Asia-- 19 who ought to have been present before you, and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 "Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, 21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'"
In his defense he says:
1. The charges are untrue
2. They charges can not be proved. In regard to the heresy and riot, the people bringing charges today are not those who lodge complaints. Where are the Jews from Asia?
As to the charge of Blasphemy - I was ceremonially pure, in obedience to everything - obeying the law. I was bringing gifts to my nation.
When Paul stood in front of the Sanhedrin, there was the issue of the resurrection of the dead. He turns the whole case against him back to Christ and the resurrection.
Felix (the governor) was married to Drusilla. She was 20 years old and a member of the Herods. Felix was older and a freed slave. He had to convert to Judaism. He is unethical - on the take. He is a Roman Procurator. He is remembered as a brutal, incompetent politician who was finally replaced be Nero.
Acts 24:22 - Then Felix ... He is well acquainted with Christianity, but puts off any decisions.
22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." 23 And he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.
Paul has said in his testimony or defense - " I brought money, alms for Jerusalem". Felix knew he was a resource man. He knew Paul had access to money from churches.
Paul is imprisoned for 2 years. Luke and Aristarchus stayed. The others left. Felix might have known they left for their homes and believed they would get money and return. Felix waited 2 years and was disappointed. Year 61-62 AD.
The churches that Paul started were going on without him. It was God's design. Luke and Aristarchus minister to Paul's needs when possible. Pastor of church in Philippi is here (Luke). Must have had a strong eldership team there. (think of the problems that church must have been dealing with while Luke was absent - not like today)
Acts 24:27 Two years passed. Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
Acts 26:1 No mention of the Jerusalem church in this period. They are probably under the gun now to. Not a good time to publicly try to appeal for Paul.
Acts 26:9 Festus wishes to do the Jews a favor and send Paul back to Jerusalem to stand trial.
9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?" 10 But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. 11 "If then I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." 12 Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go."
So ends a 2 year standoff and Paul won. He knew the Jews would not go to Rome to present their case.
1. They didn't have a case - he would have been released.
2. Jews were not favored in Rome at this time.
3. He got the procurator Festus off the hook.
Acts 25:13-14 King Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea. Festus laid Paul's case before the king. He lied about it. He had conspired with the Jews to deliver him into a dangerous situation. Here he says he had not handed him over due to Roman law.
Acts 25:22-24 - Agrippa said to Festus he would like to hear the man. So Paul was brought in before them. Festus says that the Jews want him to die, but that he found nothing worthy of death (but would have dispatch him anyway if he could have).
Acts 25:27 Festus "Paul has appealed to Rome", but I have nothing to write as charges. He is asking Agrippa to help him write the charges.
Acts 26:1 Paul makes his defense before Agrippa. He preached every point of his Kerygma. He only briefly discussed the charges the Jews had brought against him. He concludes with "the Jews don't like my Kerygma, that is why I am here.
Acts 26:24 - Festus says that Paul is out of his mind.
24 And while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad."
Acts 26:32 Agrippa said to Festus "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar".
What letter did Festus have now to write? What new info came to light for charges - nothing! Agrippa chose the High Priest. He was well aquainted with Jewish law, Temple law and Roman law. He was already extremely familiar with these events. He knew this Nazarene sect, for they were running all over his area. Agrippa is saying - yes he is not guilty, but send him to Rome.
The time frame for Acts 25-26 is given as 60-61 AD by Goodwin and 57-58 AD by Bruce. The difference is based on determining the length of 2nd missionary trip and the time spent in Corinth and Ephesus on 3rd missionary journey.
Book of Acts ends while Paul is waiting trial in Rome before Caesar during his first Roman captivity (as opposed to 2nd Roman captivity which we will talk about later)
Acts 27:1- They knew they were in for some strong north winds. You could not sail in those days if storms were around.
1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. 3 And the next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. 4 And from there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 And there the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. ( AN Alexandrian ship was an Egyptian ship. They hauled grain to Italy, providing them with food. Usually around 180 ft long X 45 ft. wide and 45 ft. deep. They had a fleet of them and used them as freighters. One big mast in center with huge sail. Previous ship they were on was much smaller. This ship could hold 276 people including sailors.)
7 And when we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty sailing past it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
9 And when considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, 10 and said to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be attended with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship, than by what was being said by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
13 And when a moderate south wind came up, supposing that they had gained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along Crete, close inshore. 14 But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo (gales of 50-60 mph, maybe more could be expected coming from NE pushing them SW.); 15 and when the ship was caught in it, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and let ourselves be driven along. 16 And running under the shelter of a small island called Clauda, we were scarcely able to get the ship's boat under control. 17 And after they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor, and so let themselves be driven along. 18 The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands (lost all hope). 20 And since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned. 21 And when they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, "Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete, and incurred this damage and loss. 22 "And yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.' 25 "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 "But we must run aground on a certain island."
27 But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to surmise that they were approaching some land. 28 And they took soundings, and found it to be twenty fathoms (120 feet); and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms (90 feet). 29 And fearing (it was pitch black in storm) that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak. 30 And as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship, and had let down the ship's boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved." 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat, and let it fall away. 33 And until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing. 34 "Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your preservation; for not a hair from the head of any of you shall perish." 35 And having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he broke it and began to eat. 36 And all of them were encouraged, and they themselves also took food. 37 And all of us in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six persons. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea. 39 And when day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did observe a certain bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it if they could. 40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders, and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach. 41 But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves. 42 And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, that none of them should swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, (part of special Roman corp like Federal Marshall - used to transport prisoners) wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And thus it happened that they all were brought safely to land.
Not much of a great cruise time!
Acts 28:1 Ended up on island of Malta - close to Rome. They had gone by Crete in order to winter here.
28:2 Natives showed kindness. They kindled a fire for them due to cold and rain.
28:3-6 viper bites Paul, and he shakes it off into fire. Natives saw how he did not die and thought Paul was a God.
28:7 Paul heals the father of the leading man on the island - Publius.
9 And after this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. 10 And they also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.
(Julius et al get an eyeful here.)
Acts 28:11-15
11 And at the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. (Twin brothers - guardian deities of the sailors.) 12 And after we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. (Drusilla - wife of Felix was killed near here by volcanic eruption in 79 AD) 14 There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. (NASB)
Paul met with people he knew. From Romans 16 - we know that Phoebe from Corinth was there as well as a host of others.
Paul gathers the leading men of the Jews. Have you received any letters about me from Jerusalem? He is summing up his opposition.
16 And when we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
17 And it happened that after three days he called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they had come together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people, or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 "And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 "But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar; not that I had any accusation against my nation. 20 "For this reason therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel." 21 And they said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 "But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."
23 And when they had set a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 24 And some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.
Acts 28:25-28 Paul prophesies Isaiah against them.
25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 26 saying, 'Go to this people and say, "You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Lest they should see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I should heal them. "' 28 "Let it be known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen." 29 (And when he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.)
Luke sums up the end of Acts with this statement to the Jews:
30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
