Acts.17

Surviving the Storm: God’s Faithfulness in Shipwrecks

Bible Passage: Acts 27:1–44

Summary: This passage narrates how Paul and his fellow travelers experienced a violent storm at sea, leading to their shipwreck. However, it emphasizes the providential hand of God throughout the ordeal, showing His care and guidance even in the most turbulent circumstances. The Disciplined Disciple will remain faithful and courageous, trusting that God will use challenges for His purpose and glory.

1. Setting Sail with Faith - Beginning Battles

Acts 27:1–12 “1 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. 2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. 4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. 7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. 8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. 9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.”

Paul’s journey as a prisoner from Caesarea to Rome began as a quiet trip. He had some of his team, Aristarchus and Luke, accompany him. The centurion, Julius, treated Paul with kindness, philanthropos φιλανθρώπως, benevolently in Greek. It was not unusual for the working centurion to treat Christians with grace (Acts 24:23; 27:43; 28:16).

Paul’s choices have been stripped, he was on a vessel that was taking him forward. We have the luxury of reading on and seeing that although he was shipwrecked, he was saved and brought to Rome just as the Lord had promised. Despite the “contrary winds” of the enemy God’s plan is never thwarted. It still may take some time and distress to convince those around you to this truth.

The Disciplined Disciple will remain faithful and courageous, trusting that God will use challenges for His purpose and glory.

2. Storming in the Dark - Euroclydon

Acts 27:13–20 “13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.”

It’s not surprising that after pressing through all the violent winds and reaching a relatively safe harbor the winds would die down for a time. The sign they were seeking was the thing that allowed them to do what they wanted. Sailing the Mediterranean Sea in the Fall/Winter was avoided for good reason. It was dangerous. But they were being lulled into thinking different and headed out.

Euroclydon was a storm similar to a nor’easter. Strong and constant winds drive large and dangerous waves. And these elements were directly impeding their headway.

After many days of this beating they were preparing to do anything to survive. They undergirded the ship by running ropes around the hull in order to keep it from breaking apart. To keep the ship from capsizing they threw overboard the ship’s tackle. There was no Coast Guard to come to rescue them. They gave up all hope that they would be saved, σῴζω sozo delivered.

3. Promise Good for All

Acts 27:21–26 “21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.””

The hard work of the captain and crew was not enough to deliver them. It only seemed to have gotten them in a worst situation. Finally they were ready for Paul to intervene. He lets them in on a little secret. Like Jesus sleeping in the boat (Mt 8:24), Paul was not panicking and offered divine council. He had a visitor that night who reiterated Jesus’ words. First an encouragement, don’t be afraid. Second a directive, Paul would go to Rome. Third a blessing, all the ship’s company would be safe.

The means to this tremendous good news was rather distressing. Rather than simply directing them to a safe harbor, Paul tells them that they must run aground. Sometimes our options are not the easy ones we prefer.

4. Panic Leads to bad Decisions

Acts 27:27–32 “27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.”

Two weeks of riding a rollercoaster is enough for anyone. Men will panic at midnight and the soundings were getting more alarming. Fathom in Greek ὀργυιά horguia comes from the word stretch, or the length of your arms stretched wide, about six feet. That is what a fathom measures today. As the water got shallower the chance of hitting some unknown rocks grew. They dropped four anchors, they only needed one, Jesus (Heb 6:19).

Seeking escape the sailors let down a small boat. Paul repeats the promise in this perilous time, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Paul is concerned for everyone that God has declared a promise for. He uses the authority of the centurion to quell the mutiny and deliver their souls.

The soldiers cut away the small boat and thus render it useless as a provision for the flesh. It forced all on board to depend on God’s promise and Paul’s leadership. The prisoner is going to deliver them.

5. Safe Shores through Faith

Acts 27:33–44 “33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.”

Every great rescue comes just at dawn. God depends on us being physically ready to do His will. We need to keep our wits about us and good nourishment is vital for this. The crew had gone two weeks without food. Not mentioned is the reason for not eating and that would have been seasickness, a debilitating condition. It was time to prepare to be rescued. Survival in verse 34 is σωτηρία soteria in Greek, mostly translated salvation or deliverance. Here salvation is not to eternal glory but deliverance of the body from imminent death.

Paul took bread and had a small communion meal with his team. The rest of the crew looked on and encouraged began to imitate them.

Then came the ultimate time of trusting in Paul’s words. First, they threw the tackle overboard, then then cut free the small boats. Next they threw the rest of their food into the sea. Finally they cut free their anchors. They were now totally at the mercy of God.

With a small sandy beach ahead things looked good, until they hit something on there way to it. They became hung up on some shoals and were breaking up. Just when things look like deliverance is at hand, there comes up a small hindrance. God uses the centurions desire to keep Paul alive to keep all the prisoners alive and all 276 persons on the ship were delivered safe to the shore.