Acts 27:9-20 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Fast. So Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. 13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. 17 When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
 
PAUL was only a prisoner, so we can understand why the ship’s owner, pilot and the centurion did not listen to his advice to stay in the safe harbor. But each day on the sea in winter exposed the ship and its inhabitants to extreme weather. Then it came.
   We can’t imagine the effort to wrap ropes around the tossing ship. How could one cope with the violent, unrelenting winds that blocked the sun and the stars. We understand why they gave up all hope of being saved.
   All the sailors’ skill, strength and knowledge was useless against the hurricane winds. Who could survive such a storm?
   For his purpose, God has created such storms at other times. The storm raged when Jonah ran from God (Jonah 1:4). When Galilee rolled and pitched their small boat, the disciples cried, “Lord, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mak 4:38). God used the storm to turn Jonah back to preach to Ninevah. He used the storm to awaken the disciples to Jesus’ sovereign Majesty. What would God do with this storm?  

Acts 26:30-32 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” 32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
 
FOR the third time in this lengthy account of Paul’s defense that occurred over two-plus years, the Romans – and now King Agrippa – find no cause for Paul’s imprisonment. It is unfortunate Festus had not acted on this conclusion a few days earlier before Paul had appealed to Caesar. That appeal was his only hope at the time to escape the Jews’ endless accusations and Rome’s failure to rule. Paul’s solution seems to have caused another problem.
   Good or bad, it is time to move ahead, to set one’s mind on the future. Paul cannot change what has happened. The good thing is he will no longer languish in a jail in Caesarea. The time has come to move forward.
   How do we encounter obstacles as a Christian? To go forward we should assess how the LORD God has prepared us for the challenge: What do we know? What skills do we have? Who can help us? How can we help others? Are we prepared to see God’s kindness through the difficult days?
   As we read Acts 27, we will learn how Paul answers all of those questions through the storm, a shipwreck and suspicion. Let’s begin:
 
Acts 27:1-8 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. 2 We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us. 3 The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. 4 From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. 5 When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. 8 We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
 
Luke’s first-hand account helps us understand God’s care on this group. One way God helps Paul is to add Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, to accompany him. Aristarchus will be with Paul through his time under Roaman guard (See Colossians 4:10 and Philemon 24). Junius, too, is a kind Centurion, another Roman who helps Paul. He allows Paul’s friends at Sidon to care for the prisoner.
   The prisoners get on a Alexandrian ship in Lydia. It is a large grain ship from Egypt. But it is very difficult to travel east to west on the Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea in winter. For a time they find a quiet port to be safe from the winds.  

Acts 26:24-29 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” 25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long – I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
 
JESUS was changing minds in Israel and in the known world. When we read Acts, we must consider we are learning only a very small part of God’s great work at that time. The twelve apostles listed in Acts 1 have developed a strong ministry in Jerusalem. Thousands of people were believing Jesus is the Christ, risen from the dead. Other histories of this time tell us some apostles went to India (Thomas) and Europe. Evangelists such as Stephen and Philip were Spirit-anointed to expand the gospel. Yes, even through Stephen’s martyrdom the gospel spread to the nations.
   One clue to Christianity’s growth is Agrippa’s statement, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” There is a name to Jesus’ followers that separates them from a nationality or nation. Christian gives Jesus’ followers a name to connect them with Messiah. The Jews, especially, are aware of Jesus of Nazareth’s influence on many, many people. Perhaps that is why they hated Paul. His passion for Christ has influenced hundreds to believe in Jesus. They need to stop him to stop Jews from becoming Christians.
   Can one quickly become a Christian? The evidence answers the question. Paul had quickly turned to faith, and many more had done so. Consider the 3,000 at Pentecost (Acts 2:41) and thousands more in response to Peter’s and John’s preaching. The Spirit will move whomever he chooses to faith whether it be short time or long. Jesus called, “Lazarus come out!” (John 11:43) and the dead man quickly rose. Peter spoke, “Tabitha get up.” (Acts 9:40)  and the dead woman suddenly got up. The jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved.” (Acts 16:30). Immediately he and all his family were baptized. (Acts 16:33b) God’s short or long time to save is his time to change a life forever.
   God always gave to Paul the opportunity to testify of Jesus’ saving power. Once again he faithfully used the time. Paul was not responsible for Agrippa’s or Festus’ response. He was responsible to tell the truth of Jesus’

Acts 26:19-23 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But I have had God’s help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen – 23 that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
 
TESTIFYING before Israel’s authorities, Paul explained he immediately obeyed  heaven’s authority. Jesus had commanded him (verse 18) to open their eyes and turn their hearts to light and from the power of Satan. That is exactly what he did.
   We remember the Romans had found no reason to charge Paul. And he was standing before King Agrippa, who ruled a portion of Israel, because the king was curious about him.
   This was not a criminal trial. The God of heaven and earth was on trial in the unbelieving pagan minds. They were listening to Paul. But did they hear him? Would they believe?
   Paul wanted them to know about his radically changed life. He was the powerful death-dealing Pharisee who experienced a most radical change. There was no earthly reason for Paul to reject the power and authority he had attained. The Jews’ rulers had respected him. Paul was proud of himself!
   But now Paul wanted the prideful people in the assembly that day to know Jesus is far more important to him than any earthly status.
   Paul tried to convey his sense of duty to the law. He had been faithful to Moses’ and the prophets’ words. He testified that he came to know those words told the Jews the Christ would suffer (Isaiah 53).  He would be the first to rise from the dead (Psalm 16:8-11). The Messiah would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles (Isaiah 51:8).
   Paul had come to know his true life was in full obedience to the Scriptures. His life was not his own. Paul wanted the Jews and Romans to know he lived in the authority of the Living Word. His life was not his own.
   This is the Bible’s truth, isn’t it? When God calls you, your life is not your own. Are you willing to join him wherever, however he directs you?
 

Acts 26:12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’”
 
WHAT did Jesus mean when he said, “Saul, Saul, it is hard for you to kick against the goads.” As he often did during his teaching ministry, Jesus used an agricultural term to make his point. The goad was a means to control oxen pulling a plow or heavy load. It was a long, sharp-pointed pole, or the goad was a board with sharp nails hung behind the oxen’s back feet. When they kicked against the goad, the nails pierced their legs. The oxen quickly learned it was useless to kick against the farmer’s commands.
   Jesus drew the line with Paul on that fateful day on the road to Damascus. He told Paul, “Stop rejecting me! Believe and follow my commands!”
   Some believe there was a battle in Paul’s conscience. As he was persecuting Christians to their death, Paul may have begun to understand he was kicking against the goad of God’s moral laws. Perhaps his heart was also fighting the truth that the law he knew so well pointed directly to Jesus of Nazareth.
   “Why do you kick against the goads?” could have been Jesus’ gracious question to essentially say to Paul, “You know what is true. You know I am the Christ. It’s time to submit to the Spirit’s stirring in your heart and begin to live for me.”
   When God stirs our hearts to reject our desires, our nature is to kick against his truth. Is Jesus now in you? Then be thankful that one day the Spirit changed your kicking against Jesus to walking with your Lord and Savior.
   That’s what happened to Paul. Jesus commissioned this gifted man to be on mission for the gospel, so they would be forgiven and stand with Jesus and the redeemed forever.
   This is Jesus’ mission for all who confess he is Lord. Are you kicking against him or walking with him?

AT the beginning of his gospel, Luke wrote: Luke 1:1-2 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Luke’s gospel is an orderly progression of Jesus’ life from the prophets through his ascension. Now Luke gives us an orderly account of Paul’s changed life through Jesus’ transforming gospel:
 
Paul’s Early Life as a Jew
 
Acts 26:4-8 “The Jews all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
 
PAUL wanted all to know he was no enemy of the Jew. He was a Jew, loyal to his people and God’s law. Because of his great devotion to God, he had come to understand God’s resurrection power.
   He was specific with this point because it is the greatest hurdle for many Jews. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Jesus had corrected them with Exodus 3:6 Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” The long-dead patriarchs still lived in heaven. Paul wanted all to know God’s power raised his Son, Jesus of Nazareth, from the dead.
   Jesus is alive. Jesus saves us from death when we believe. This is Paul’s story. He wanted this to be everyone’s story.
   Then Paul testifies once more of God’s grace on his life. He began with the depth of his sin.
 
Zealous Against God
 
Acts 26:9-11 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.”
 
WE could consider the Spirit caused and used Paul’s unjust captivity in Israel to testify of God’s gracious freedom to the nation’s rulers. Paul was speaking to Agrippa and Festus, who were very familiar with deadly force against political and religious rivals. They understood Paul’s great passion to go many a time from one synagogue to another to find Christians to imprison and kill them. What had happened that Paul had become the accused? 

Acts 25:22-25 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.” 23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and the leading men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”
 
AS this drama between Paul, the Jews and Rome continues, we must be mindful this represents the ongoing spiritual warfare between Satan and God. Luke wrote in Acts of several aggressive actions against Jesus’ apostles and evangelists. Opposition has come from some Jews, some Romans and some civic leaders. They all have this in common: none are qualified to judge God’s appointed messengers. Their goal is to justify themselves. The True Judge spoke the truth: Luke 16:15 Jesus said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”  
   With a great show of authority, power and adulation, Bernice and Agrippa enter the chamber to meet with Paul. But such outward pomp and glamor hide their dark hearts. These two are corrupt, incestuous brother and sister. They are children of the murderous King Herod and grandchildren of the tyrant Herod the Great, who ordered Bethlehem’s baby boys slaughtered. (Matthew 2:16) How would the Holy Spirit use Paul to defend God’s majesty?  
 
Acts 26:1-3 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.”
 
After two-plus years of unjust imprisonment and unresponsive governors, Pau could have been very angry to be asked to defend himself once again. He knew he was going to Rome, so what is the point of this meeting?
   Transformation is the point. Paul never tired of telling his story because it is God’s story of rebirth. Yes, Paul knows the people around him are corrupt in their hearts. And he knows Jesus is alive. Jesus can save them. He begins to tell the good news with respect for his audience – people who need Jesus. Paul always knew the point of his life: Romans 10:15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
   We can all point our lives in this direction.
 

Acts 25:13-21 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. 16 I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over any man before he has faced his accusers and has had an opportunity to defend himself against their charges. 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 When Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
 
DID a new man of evil enter into Paul’s dilemma? This King Agrippa was more specifically Agrippa II. His father, Agrippa I, was also the King Herod, who executed James and imprisoned Peter: Acts 12:1-2 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. Would Agrippa II want to please the Jews as his father had done?
   Pleasing the Jews seemed to be the law for Agrippa I, then Felix and now Festus. Notice the tone of Festus’ words in verses 13-21. He didn’t seek justice for Paul. He sought agreement with the Jews.
   For example, Festus described Paul as a man Felix left as a prisoner. He didn’t say, “Paul is here, charged with sedition.” or some such crime. Paul was in jail even though Felix left him there without charge.
   Why? It was because Festus had talked to the Jews who brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. Did Festus not know of Paul’s defense? Did he completely dismiss the trial that had resulted in no charge against Paul?
   Pleasing the Jews, Festus ordered another trial. Then Festus learned the Jews only had a dispute with Paul about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.
   Once again the Romans understood Paul had committed no crime against Rome. Still Festus refused to free him. Weakly, he complained, “I was at a loss how to investigate such matters.” In other words, Festus was impotent because the Jews were in charge. He could have easily freed Paul with Rome’s protection until Paul left Judea. Justice is impossible when the unjust rule.
 
Psalm 82:2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?” 

Acts 25:1-3 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. 3 They urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.
 
MORE than two years had passed, and nothing had changed. Paul was in Caesarea because a Roman commander had kept him from a deadly ambush in Jerusalem. The Jews were ravenous wolves, hungry to devour Paul. Once again Rome’s authority protects Paul:
 
Acts 25:4-6 Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. 5 Let some of your leaders come with me and press charges against the man there, if he has done anything wrong.” 6 After spending eight or ten days with them, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him.
 
WHY is there still a court to judge Paul? In all the words spoken for several years, no Roman ruler has found any reason to hold him. But the Jews came in their hateful violence to continue to accuse God’s apostle. Verse 7 When Paul appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove. Paul, gifted with a strong legal mind, presses in: V 25:8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”
   Did it matter that Paul was innocent? No. We mentioned earlier that Rome’s desire to appease the Jews would keep Paul imprisoned. That happened here. All that concerned Festus was his relationship with the Jews. Verse 9 Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”
   Festus offered no solutions. How would Paul stop the circle of destruction? As a Roman citizen, he had one option: Verse 10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
   In response, Festus finally decided. Verse 12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
   Dear Christian, with criticism, accusations, mockery, unbelief and unconcern the world continually accuses you. It plots against you, lies about you and attempts to kill your faith. Sometimes the evil kills God’s saints. What do you do to stop the endless circle of injustice? Your only response is to appeal to the Supreme Authority. Paul sought Rome’s ultimate. You can seek heaven’s Almighty God. Call on him in faith and hope. Your Father in heaven does not need to please your enemy. His favor and justice is on YOU. In faith you must know that through Jesus Christ the Sovereign Judge has declared you, “Not guilty!” He has set you free from sin’s prison. No one can take your redeemed life from you.
 

Acts 24:24-27 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
 
THE governor Felix had treated Paul with fairness, but now God’s truth exposes Felix’s corrupt heart. Jesus had prophesied, “When the Helper comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me.” (John 16:8-9) When Felix heard Paul speak of God’s righteousness, obedient self-control to refrain from sinful lusts and Jesus’ judgment, Felix felt the weight of his sin.
   There was good reason. Felix’s marriage to Drusilla was his third, ending another marriage to marry her. Paul knew what Felix needed to hear his sins for the repentance of sins and to be forgiven. But Felix rejected the truth and remained in Satan’s bondage. The governor and judge was afraid of God’s governing authority to judge him guilty.
   Greed also motivated Felix. He knew Paul was innocent; yet for two years he kept Paul in jail, hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. Felix was truly the one on trial here. (Woe to those) who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. (Isaiah 5:23)
   Felix certainly heard much truth from Paul, but it had no effect. Felix is the perfect example of one who goes to church often but never believes and lives what he hears. He remains ignorant and self-serving. As a result, he remains condemned. Listening to the truth of sin and salvation must be heard in the heart.
   As we consider Paul’s circumstance does it frustrate you? Do you wonder why the Lord allowed his apostle to suffer jail for no reason?
   We must always stop to know that in God’s mind was a good reason to hold Paul where he was. God had planned Paul’s future. Paul trusted his Lord and saw him in all circumstances: 2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.