Summer At Sea: Week 12 Day 4
Summary of Acts 26
Paul made his case to King Agrippa. He told him of his devotion to the strictest sect of the Jewish faith and his hope in what God promised his ancestors. Paul once again told of his time of persecuting the Jesus followers even to their death. Paul shared his experience of meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus. He claimed that he was doing nothing other than what Moses and the prophets said would happen, “that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:23).
King Agrippa said that if Paul had not appealed to Caesar, he could have been set free.
Acts 27:1-12
27 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.
3 The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. 4 From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. 5 When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. 8 We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both.
Paul was a Roman citizen and had appealed to Caesar, then he was sent on his way to Rome. He was placed in the hands of a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. Julius was a man of superior character and kindness. His kindness was displayed and recorded for us as Julius allowed Paul to leave the ship at Sidon to visit friends and obtain some supplies for his trip (Acts 27:3). Paul was also allowed to have his two traveling companions accompany him on the voyage.
When we are led by God to strange surroundings and people, isn't it good to know that we are never alone? Just as God provided kindness to Paul through his friends and Julius, He provides for us in our need when we are focused on walking in His will. If you are working to share the Gospel in a hostile or strange place, remember the words of Deuteronomy 31:6:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.
Paul had definitely entered a new phase of his ministry. Up until now, he was free to follow wherever the Holy Spirit led him. He was able to share the Gospel message and encourage the churches in Jerusalem, Macedonia, and Greece. Now, Paul was being led and could only go where he was told, not by God, but by men; through it all God was still providing for Paul.