Paul Arrives In Rome

PAUL ARRIVES IN ROME Acts 27-28

Acts 27:1-20

"I must also see Rome!" Those were Paul's words during his ministry in Ephesus (Acts 19:21), and little did he realize all that would happen to him before he would arrive in the Imperial city: illegal arrest Roman and Jewish trials, confinement and even shipwreck. He had long wanted to preach the Gospel in Rome (Rom 1:14-16) and then go on into Spain (Rom 15:28), but he had not planned to travel as a prisoner. Through it all, Paul trusted God's promise that he would witness in Rome (Acts 23:11); and the Lord saw him through.

Why would Luke devote such a long section of his book to a description of a voyage and shipwreck? Surely, he could have summarized the account for us! But Luke was a skilled writer, inspired by the Spirit of God, and he knew what he was doing for one thing, this exciting report balances the speeches that we have been reading and brings more drama into the account. Also, Luke was an accurate historian who presented the important facts about his hero and his voyage to Rome.

But perhaps the major purpose Luke had in mind was the presenting of Paul as the courageous leader who could take command of a difficult situation in a time of great crisis. Future generations would love and appreciate Paul all the more for what he did in route to Rome.

We sometimes use the "voyage" metaphor in everyday conversation: "Smooth sailing!" or "Don't make shipwreck!" or "Sink or swim!" When a Christian dies, we might say, "They have reached the other shore." Luke was certainly not writing an allegory, but he did use this exciting event to show how one man's faith can make a big difference for him and others "in the storms of life." What an encouragement to our own faith!

In Paul's journey to Rome, we see the great apostle in four important roles.