Acts of the Apostles
Lesson 18Acts 27-28
This week we conclude our study of Acts as we look at the last two chapters, which describe Paul’s return to Rome, and his imprisonment there. It has been quite a study, seeing the church grow from a handful of seemingly disorganized disciples to a church that, 28 chapters later, is spreading throughout the Roman Empire on a grand scale.
What is especially striking is the commitment and faith demonstrated by Paul, Peter, and the other Apostles as they faced persecution, suffering, even death – convinced of the truth of the Gospel: that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the coming King, the Savior of mankind.
For our last lesson in Acts, let’s read chapters 27 and 28 and consider the following:
- Since Paul had actually done nothing wrong, and there was clearly nothing that he could be imprisoned for, why was he sailing to Rome under Roman guard as a prisoner? (Acts 26:31-32)
- In the first verse of Chapter 27, it states that it was decided that "we" would sail for Italy. Aside from Luke, who was with him? Do the verses that follow tell us who else is traveling with him? Where have we encountered this name before? (Acts 27:1-2, and Acts 19:29).
- In Acts 27:4-13, we observer that as they are sailing the seas, the weather get bad. What does Paul advise them to do or not to do, and how do they react?
- What actually happens after Paul’s advice is ignored? (Acts 27:14-20)
- What does Paul tell them about the danger that they are in and why the danger will pass without them being harmed? (Acts 27:21-26)
- How many days had they been at sea in the storm before Paul spoke to them and told them that they would be safe? How many more days were they in the storm until the journey ended at the island? (Act 27:19-20, 27)
- After all this time at sea in this very bad storm, the crew feared that the ship was about to run aground so they dropped four anchors and prepared to abandon the vessel. What did Paul warn them about this time, and did they listen? (Acts 27:28-32)
- Because of the very rough seas, how long had everyone gone without eating by the time (evening) that Paul told them to stay in the ship in order to be safe? Acts 27:33)
- When Paul told them to eat, what else did he do with the entire ship’s crew and passengers? In total, how many people were on the ship? (Acts 27:34-38)
- So, after three weeks in a violent storm at sea, the ship crashes, runs aground on a sand bar, and breaks in pieces. What do the soldiers believe they should do with the prisoners, like Paul, who are on the broken ship? (Acts 27:39-42)
- Who saves Paul, and how do they all get off the ship? (Acts 27:43-44)
- How long do they stay on the island? Why would they have stayed that long? (Acts 28:11)
- What happens on the island while they are there? (Acts 28:1-10)
- When Paul finally arrives in Italy, how do we know that there are already churches and Christians in Italy prior to his arrival? Who do you suppose the earlier believers in Rome were? (Acts 28:14)
- Paul is placed under house arrest in Rome and assigned a full time Roman Guard. Once he is in the house, what is his approach to preaching the Gospel, i.e., how does he go about doing it? (Acts 28:16-29)
- How long does Paul stay in Rome, and what does Luke say he did the entire time he was there? (Acts 28:30-31)
This wraps us our study of the book of Acts. I pray that we find Paul’s and the early apostles’ persistence and boldness in preaching the Gospel to be an example for us today!
In Christ,
Wes