Page 129 - Acts Student Textbook

Study Section 21: Paul’s Voyage and Arrival in Rome

21. 1 Connect.

The world is becoming smaller, cultures are becoming more integrated, and many new
gospel presentation techniques are being developed to suit different people groups. But
there are 4 things that must not change. This section gives us Paul’s voyage to Rome. In it we
will spot out the 4 central themes that run throughout the book of Acts. As we look at these
themes in these last 2 chapters, we must understand that these 4 things must never change: (1)
God’s Spirit has to be followed (27:1-21), God’s Word has to be believed (27:22-41), (3). God’s
servants are provided for 27:42-28:16, (4). God’s Son has to be proclaimed (28:17-31). Let’s begin…

21. 2 Objectives.

2. The student should be able to examine why God’s Spirit has to be followed (27:1-21)

3. The student should be able to describe the benefits that come when God’s Word is
believed (27:22-41)

4. The student should be able to discuss how God’s servants get provided for 27:42-28:16

5. The student should be able to analyze how God’s Son gets proclaimed (28:17-31)

21. 3: Paul’s Voyage and Arrival in Rome (chapter 27 and 28)

Chapter 27

God’s Spirit has to be followed (27:1-21)

Beginning the Journey (27:1-8)

I will open with Pratte’s interesting comment here, “Students have remarked on the special character
of Luke’s record here. On the one hand, it is not written in technical language, such as would have
been written by a sailor. On the other hand, it is so accurate that it must have been written by an
eyewitness. These facts help confirm that the account is a true and accurate eyewitness account. This
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also serves to confirm Luke’s accuracy as a historian.”

Who was on board with Paul? (27:1, 2)

Paul had appealed his case to Caesar, and Jesus had assured him that he would go to Rome (23:11).
The time finally arrived for the journey to begin, and the authorities determined to send him to Italy
by ship. Other prisoners were also included, and all were put under the guard of a centurion named
Julius of the Augustan regiment. Presumably, Julius’ 100 soldiers went along to guard the prisoners.
Note that the author says “we,” hence Luke accompanied Paul. Also, a man named Aristarchus, a
Macedonian of Thessalonica, was along (see 19:29). The Romans had given Paul freedom to have his
friends with him (24:23), so it is possible that these men were not prisoners but simply accompanied
Paul to support and care for him. However, an Aristarchus is listed as one of Paul’s fellow-prisoners in

85 Pratte, (p. 379).
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