Sunday, July 13 – Acts 26, 27

1. What was foremost in Paul’s mind as he made his appeal to King Agrippa? Acts 26:27-29

2. Is there perhaps a piece of Paul’s testimony that reminds you of your testimony?

3. What’s the longest you ever went without eating? Acts 27:34-38

4. What is the underlying theme of Chapter 27?

There is something compelling about our testimony. I remember being awestruck and overwhelmed as I heard the Three Angels’ Message preached at evangelistic meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina, 46 years ago. Thanks to Christ, my life has completely changed and never been the same.

In Acts 26 Paul retells his conversion. Felix had already commissioned him to send his case to the Roman emperor Nero, and now he had the opportunity to bring his defense before King Agrippa, a Jew and the last of the Herod kings. He is excited. This is his passion. He starts by acknowledging Agrippas’s familiarity with Jewish custom (vs 2-3) and then telling how he himself, once a Pharisee (vs 5), persecuted Christians, putting many to death. But he makes it clear that he did nothing wrong, that in fact the gospel of Christ is a continuation and fulfillment of the Jewish hope that all the prophets and Moses had foretold was to come. This is essential to him to legitimize the new Faith and what Christ has done.

But the core of his appeal is his testimony of his Damascus Road experience (vs 12-18). He wants these Roman officials to hear Christ’s words, that their eyes be opened, and that they be turned from darkness and the power of Satan, to light and the power of God, that they may receive repentance and forgiveness of sin. Even the hardened and evil Agrippa was moved as the Spirit touched him, as he said, “You almost persuaded me to become a Christian.” May we also have the courage of Paul to witness under extreme duress to the small and the great alike. These men of power admitted that Paul had done nothing deserving of death. He was now on his way to Rome.

Once, when we were on a cruise, the captain invited everyone interested to a special meeting where we could learn about the ship. He explained a few things and then took some questions. A lady said, “Captain, this is my first cruise and I’m really nervous and would like you to explain how something this big can float.” The captain very politely answered her question. But then the same lady spoke again, “Captain, as I said before, this is my first cruise, and I am very nervous and would like you to give me 100% assurance that this ship is not going to sink and we are all going to die.” Perhaps it would have been good for this lady to have first read Acts 27. I’ll tell you what the captain said at the end.

Here is recounted Paul’s perilous sea voyage to Rome as a prisoner. Traveling by sea in the first century was a dangerous venture. Navigation, done by the position of the sun and stars, was impossible when storms were present.

One circumstance that greatly blessed Paul was that he was permitted the companionship of his Macedonian friend, Aristarchus, and Dr. Luke. Being together as we work for God is always a blessing. The journey begins with Paul under Roman custody, but as the voyage progresses and storms hit, his role subtly shifts from prisoner to spiritual leader.

Disaster came when Julius, the centurion in charge of the prisoners and who had been very kind to Paul, decided to go with the majority against Paul’s counsel, and they took the ship right into a storm called Euroclydon. Yet Paul, strengthened by an angel (v.23-24), encouraged all 276 on board, assuring them that not a hair would fall from their heads, only the ship would be lost. He then, in the presence of them all, gave thanks to God, and they took food, not having eaten for 14 days, and they all made it to safety.

This chapter shows God’s sovereignty amid chaos. Paul’s calm assurance and trust in God’s promises, and his leadership and concern for every life on board (v.33-36) showing Christian compassion and courage under pressure. This is a theological reflection on divine protection, the fulfillment of God’s purposes, and the power of faithful witness amid danger and suffering.

Just as Paul assured the crew, our captain on the cruise assured the lady when he said, “Madam, I am your captain, and I am giving you 100% assurance that this ship is not going to sink.” Jesus tells us, “My children, I am your Captain. Stay on board, stay faithful. This Gospel Ship is not going to sink.”