Study #75: Paul was transported under guard by a ship from Asia Minor, which crashed on the island of Malta (Acts 27:1

Study #75: Paul was transported under guard by a ship from Asia Minor, which crashed on the island of Malta (Acts 27:1 - 44)

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Acts, Chapter 2.5: Paul the prisoner witnessed to the Gentile Roman government in Caesarea before traveling to Rome (23:12 - 28:31)

§Complement Introduction: Paul’s nephew helped Paul to escape a Jewish conspiracy to kill him (23:12 - 35)

¶Opposite Paul’s nephew reported the conspiracy to kill Paul to the Roman tribune (23:12 - 22)

¶Opposite The Roman tribune sent Paul to Caesarea under heavy guard (23:23 - 35)

§Complement Body: Paul defended himself before the Roman governors and king Agrippa, who sent him to Rome (24:1 - 27:44)

¶Opposite Paul defended himself before Felix against false accusations from a lawyer hired by the Jews (24:1 - 23)

¶Opposite For two years, Felix tried to persuade Paul to bribe him for freedom, but failed (24:24 - 27)

¶Complement Paul appealed to Caesar to prevent his assassination by Jews on the road to Jerusalem (25:1 - 22)

¶Complement Paul appealed to Christ as the reason for all that he did in his life (25:23 - 26:32)

¶Unique Paul was transported under guard by a ship from Asia Minor, which crashed on the island of Malta (27:1 - 44)

§Unique Conclusion: Paul was transported to Rome by ship, where he explained the Kingdom of God to the Jews of Rome (28:1 - 31)

¶Complement Paul was transported to Rome from Malta on a ship of Alexandria, Egypt (28:1 - 16)

¶Complement Paul explained the Kingdom of God to the Jews of Rome (28:17 - 31)

¶Unique Paul was transported under guard by a ship from Asia Minor, which crashed on the island of Malta (27:1 - 44)

Opposite And when it was determined that we would sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus’ band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we set sail, intending to sail by the coasts of Asia (one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us). And the next day we landed at Zidon. And Julius treated Paul courteously, and gave him liberty to go to his friends to refresh himself.

Opposite And when we had launched from there, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us into it. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and with difficulty came over against Cnidus, the wind not allowing us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone; and, passing it with difficulty, came to a place which is called “The Fair Havens”; near to it was the city of Lasea.

Complement Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them; 27:10and he said to them, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will be with harm and much damage, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives.” 27:11Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. 27:12And because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the greater part advised to depart from there also, if by any means they might attain to Phoenix, and there to winter (which is a harbor of Crete, and lies toward the southwest and northwest). 27:13And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing from there, they sailed close by Crete. 27:14But not long afterward there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 27:16And running under a certain island which is called Cauda, we were barely able to keep control of the boat; 27:17which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should run aground at Syrtis, they lowered the ship’s gear, and so were driven. 27:18And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day, they lightened the ship; 27:19and the third day we cast out the tackling of the ship with our own hands. And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we would be saved was then taken away.

Complement But after long abstinence, Paul stood up in their midst, and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be cheerful: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but only of the ship. For this night, the angel of God stood by me (whose I am, and whom I serve), saying, ‘Fear not, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and, lo, God has given you all them that sail with you.’ Therefore, sirs, be cheerful: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Nevertheless, we must be cast upon a certain island.”

Unique But when the fourteenth night came, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen determined that they drew near to some country; and they sounded, and found it twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we would have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. And as the sailors were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under pretense as though they would have cast anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul urged them all to eat, saying, “This day is the fourteenth day that you have waited and continued fasting, having taken nothing; therefore I urge you to take some food: for this is for your health, because not a hair shall fall from the head of any of you.” And when he had spoken this, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat. Then they were all cheerful, and they also took some food. And in all in the ship, we were two hundred and seventy-six souls. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. And when it was day, they did not know the land; but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the bow stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the stern was broken with the violence of the waves. And the counsel of the soldiers was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land; and the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safely to land.

There is a lot of text in this paragraph, so for this study, I will provide an outline of the sub-paragraphs, to make the design of the Golden Ratio more clear:

Opposite The ship took Paul from Caesarea to Zidon, a seaport of Lebanon (“Saida”, south of Beirut). Julius allowed Paul liberty to see his friends for a short visit.

Opposite The ship sailed from Zidon to the Fair Havens near the city of Lasea on the island of Crete; they stayed there for some time.

Complement The ship left the Fair Havens (or, Good Harbors) seaport; and soon it was in a Mediterranean gale (i.e. a Medicane) called “Euroclydon” for many days; and the crew and passengers began to despair.

Complement But Paul encouraged the crew and passengers to be cheerful, because God had told him that he must be brought before Caesar.

Unique They ran the ship aground on the north side of the island of Malta; and all of them lived.

Do you see the Golden Ratio design of two opposites, two complements, and one unique?

The first two subparagraphs contain port visits: the first in Zidon was overnight; the second port visit lasted “much time”, possibly weeks. So the content of each subparagraph opposes the other.

But the last three subparagraphs are much different: they are all about the long and troubled journey to the island of Malta, where the ship was run aground and destroyed; and the passengers escaped to the land safely.

The first two subparagraphs of this sub-group complement each other: in the first, the crew and passengers had begun to despair of their lives because of the powerful storm that was battering their small ship. In the second, Paul encouraged them to believe in God, who had confirmed to him that he must be brought before Caesar, and that they would all survive the voyage. So they complement each other.

The last subparagraph is about the fulfillment of the promise of God to Paul: the ship was run aground on Malta and all of them escaped to land safely.

So the overall Golden Ratio design of the last paragraph of the Body Section is “OO-CCU” or, “two opposites, two complements, and one unique” with a break between the two opposites and two complements, which is a feature of the Golden Ratio design that is built into the entire text and every document of the Holy Bible, which proves that the one true God, Jehovah, is the true Author of the Holy Bible, and that it could not be only the work of men, as liberals often claim.

2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed; and is beneficial for doctrine, for rebuke, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, and thoroughly equipped for all good work.”

2 Peter 1:20-21: “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture comes of one’s own interpretation: for the prophecy came at no time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

What is the message of this paragraph of the Book of Acts? I believe that God wants his children to know that He is in control of all things!

The Apostle Paul was, literally, on a mission from God; he was a servant of the Living God, Jesus Christ, who had told him that he must be brought before Caesar. So, no matter how powerful the storm that his ship was in, Paul and all those who were with him would make it safely to Malta; and eventually, to Rome.

Born again Christian friend, if you are serving the Lord with your heart and your soul, then God wants you to know that no matter how terrible the storm you are in, that He is in control of all things; and that He will bring you safely to the destination that He has appointed for you. It may not be the destination that you or I are expecting (it almost certainly will not!); however, God is in control of the storm and all circumstances; nothing surprises Him! God has never said, “Oops, I didn’t see that coming” or, “I didn’t know that.”

No matter how crazy and out of control your circumstances may appear to be, know that God is over all; and He knows what He is doing! Amen.

Matthew 14:24-32: “But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a spirit!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer; I AM; be not afraid.” And Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, invite me to come to you upon the water.” And he said, “Come.” And when Peter came down out of the boat, he walked upon the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the violent wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they came into the boat, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Proverbs 3:5-8: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him; and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.”

Have you been born again through repentance and prayer to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your life to save you?

If not, here is how you can be born again (or saved) into the Kingdom of God, right now:

If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God who was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life; who suffered on a cross for your sins and died; was buried, and rose again from the dead on the third day, then pray this prayer to receive Christ as your Savior and be saved:

“Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against YOU. I am no good, and you are righteous! You are my only hope for salvation! I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, you were buried, and you rose again from the dead on the third day. I want you to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart right now. Forgive me for all my sins, and save my soul. In the mighty Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!”

If you have turned from your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and only Savior from sin, please message me through Facebook and let me know that you have done that, so that I can pray for you and rejoice with you in what God has done in your life. Amen.