Discernment is a wonderful thing. God wants us to know His Word and share it; He even gives to some the ability to read a situation and understand the steps to take. The centurion and the crew on the ship now recognized that Paul was someone special and very wise.

To say that Paul was on quite a journey would be an understatement. Falsely accused in Jerusalem, riots, uproars, governors', kings, and then a raging storm that was so severe they had to pass ropes under the ship to hold it together!

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.

At first glance, these encounters are part of a trial. Paul has been arrested, transported, and forced to “defend” himself before many different audiences. What I am inspired by is that Paul moves his defense to offense. He sees these occasions as opportunities to share the gospel.

Can’t you just feel the tension in that room? Paul started out by declaring his faithfulness to God, only to have the high priest order him struck in the mouth. Paul responded with a blazing criticism, not knowing he had just insulted the high priest. Paul gave a form of an apology, but then seemed to poke the Sanhedrin by bringing up the subject of the resurrection of the dead.