Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

1. [1] Luke included himself in this trip when he inserted another “we” section (Act 16:10-16; 20:6-8, 13-15; 21:1-25; 27:1-8, 15-18; 28:1, 10-16). The last plural pronoun with reference to Luke was used in Act 21:18.

2. During Paul’s two-year imprisonment, Luke most likely stayed nearby in Caesarea. When Paul was being sent to Rome at his own request, Luke accompanied him.

3. Paul was placed into the hands of a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius. We are going to see that Julius was one of Caesar’s best men. “Augustus” (sebatos – sacred, reverend, august, pertaining to Octavian and Roman emperors after him) is another name for the emperor. So these were guards who were especially selected to be centurions for the emperor. We are also going to see that Julius was a good and fair centurion.

4. [2] A certain Adramyttian ship was traveling back to Adramyttium along the coast of Asia. Adramyttium was a seaport in Mysia. Julius had arranged for Paul and the other prisoner to board this ship as far as it would take them toward Italy.

5. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica also accompanied Paul and Luke. Aristarchus was first mentioned in Act 19:29 as one of Paul’s traveling companions and probably had accompanied Paul since Acts 17:1-10. He is a model of faithfulness who stayed by Paul’s side through many dangers, toils, and snares.

B. Stationed with Sidonian Believers (3)

1. When they laid over in Sidon, Luke recorded that Julius treated Paul with consideration. The Greek word is philanthrōpōs and means to act in a kind and considerate manner. Perhaps Julius was a good judge of character and knew that Paul would give him no trouble on the way to Rome. Or perhaps Julius was given orders by Festus (the Pragmatist) to treat Paul kindly in order to make Festus look good before Caesar.

2. Julius had allowed the friends (believers cf. Act 11:19; 15:3) of Paul to minister and care for his general or medical needs. Paul would have also minister to them in teaching and spiritual fellowship.

C. Seafaring Became Dangerous (4-9)

1. [4] Shielded by Cyprus - A smaller porting ship would have difficulty sailing into the winds (“contrary”). So they sailed under the “shelter” (leeward side, i.e. the side block by the wind) of Cyprus, which blocked the west and northwest winds.

2. Luke wrote the details of an eyewitness, whereas it would have gone without mention among the seasoned ancient sailors.

3. [5] Sailed to Myra – Luke described the disappearing mountains of Cyprus as sailed through the sea” (i.e. open waters). Luke also described the voyage with great geographic detail in describing Myra in Lycia.

4. [6] Ship Sailing for Italy – All travelers, including Julius the centurion, were accustomed to switching ships in order to arrive at their specific destination. In this case, Julius secured an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy. It was a large ship that held up to 276 passengers (Act 27:37). In addition, it was also a cargo ship most likely carrying grain and other supplies (Act 27:38). The ship had either traded in the harbor at Myra or had been hindered by the west winds itself.

5. [7] Sailed Under Shelter of Crete – The Alexandrian ship had slow sailing due to more contrary winds. It was with difficulty that they arrived off Cnidus. The wind did not permit them to go farther. Once again, they employed the nautical practice of sailing on the leeward side of the island of Crete, off Salmone. Salmone was a promontory that is a point of high land that juts out into a large body of water.

6. [8] Sailed to Fair Havens – They continued with “difficulty” (molis – hardly or scarcely possible, cf. Rom 5:7) after sailing passed the shelter of Crete. They managed to sail as far as Fair Havens. It was near the city of Lasea. This city had been unknown to archeologists for centuries. “Now, however, both the name and the ruins of Lasea have been found precisely in the right place. This curious discovery of a Scotch yachting party may be classed among the really valuable geographical evidences of the truth of the Bible which have been accumulating of late years” (Schaff). The natives brought supplies to the ship anchored in the roadstead, a sheltered stretch of water near the shore in which ships can ride at anchor.

7. [9a] Seafaring Became Dangerous – They sailed slowly for a good many days. While it is impossible to pinpoint how many days, the delay was disconcerting to all. In addition, the wind and the seas made it even more “dangerous” (episphalês – prone to fall, prone to fail, insecure, unsafe, hazardous) to travel. To add to this, on this part of the sea, travel was especially dangerous from mid-September to mid-November. The seas would get so dangerous that all sailing would cease from November to February. Luke stated that the fast (Day of Atonement) was already over. The Day of Atonement fell on late September or early October. Paul’s ship had already entered into the danger period.

II. ADVANCEMENT OF THE STORM

A. Suggestion by Paul (9-12)

1. [9b-10] Advice by Paul – Evidently there was a discussion on board between Julius and the captain of the ship whether to stay or to continue on route. Paul spoke up and “admonished” (imperfect of paraineō – strongly advise) them. Paul advised them that setting out to sea now would be dangerous to both cargo and their lives. What authority did Paul have to advise the captain? He indeed had gone through three shipwrecks giving him some firsthand experience at disasters at sea (2Cor 11:25). He stated that he “perceived” (theōreō – observe as a spectator or by experience, cf. Act 17:22) the danger by means of experience, not apostolic revelation.

2. [11] Swayed by Pilot’s Advice – Julius would have outranked the pilot and the captain and could have listened to Paul’s advice. Nevertheless, he was persuaded by the “pilot” (kubernêtês from kubernaō – to steer or govern) and the “captain” (nauklêros – ship owner) instead.

3. [12] Plan to go to Phoenix – The harbor in the bay was not an advantageous location to “winter” (paracheimasia – stay the winter or a prolonged stay) in regard to depth of water, shelter, and/or provisions. Though Julius was the highest ranking authority, he decided through the democratic method. The majority voted to put to sea. They thought it better to gamble and attempt to reach Phoenix. There they would find shelter from the winds due to situation (facing southwest and northwest) of the harbor.

B. Storm of Storms Arrived (13-16)

1. [13] Sailed along Crete – The winds died down to moderate and they changed direction. This encouraged those who had voted to move on. It appeared that they should have little difficulty traveling forty miles from Fair Havens to Phoenix close to shore.

2. [14] Violent Wind Euraquilo – The moderate winds proved to be deceptive. The Euraquilo (Grk. Euros – east wind, Lat. Aquilo – north wind). As to the actual facts of the case, the sailing books which contain directions for navigating these coasts tell us that it very often happens that after a gentle southerly wind a violent gale from the north-east comes on suddenly (Schaff).

III. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Faithful Aristarchus

1. Aristarchus is a model of faithfulness who stayed by Paul’s side throughout the years and many dangers, toils, and snares (Act 19:29; 20:3-4; 27:2; Col 4:10; Phm 1:24).

2. Also Luke

3. Aristarchus

a) Acts 19:29 - Endured first-hand persecution

b) Acts 20:3-4 – Endured hatred and a plot of death

c) Acts 27:2

(1) Either Festus or Julius gave approval,

(2) Or Luke and Aristarchus had to become Paul’s legal servants.

d) Col. 4:10 – “my fellow prisoner”

(1) Doubtful that Aristarchus was in prison with Paul, but stayed by Paul’s side and ministered to Paul and also shared his hardships.

e) Phm 1:24 – “my fellow workers”

4. The faithful

a) Individuals who are not the apostle but the sidekick of the apostles.

b) They are faithful and just remain by their side.

c) They are faithful and just go along with the decisions made.

d) They are faithful and endured whatever must be endured

e) They are just faithful and remain faithful in the ministry.

(1) I was going to add this to a leadership principle in that a leader cultivates faithfulness. Individuals like Aristarchus are individuals who are outstanding and become an example of faithfulness in their own right.

B. Faithful Sidonian Believers

1. Paul was example in faithfully teaching and spiritual fellowship

2. Sidonian believers faithful in meeting needs for ministry.

C. Faithfull Maintain a Good Testimony

1. Either by Festus’ order or by Julius’ judge of character, Paul testimony was clear that he was innocent of the charges, but more importantly a sincere believer in Christ

D. Faithfully Suggest Good Advice in a Good Manner

1. Did not badger them.

2. Made the best case at the best time.

3. Left the results in God’s hands

4. Not speaking of parental leadership (church, beliefs, behavior).

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516