Voyage to Rome | Departure

canstockphoto15267581 — Paul’s Journey to Rome / © Can Stock Photo / Portokalis

So after waiting out the winter storms at the island of Malta, it’s time for departure. The Apostle Paul and two hundred seventy-five other prisoners, Roman soldiers, and crew begin the last leg of the journey to Rome.

And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. ~ Acts 28:12 NKJV

Syracuse is only 80 miles or so from Malta, so this is only a day trip out. Being a trading vessel, The Twin Brothers puts into Syracuse, the ancient capital of the island of Sicily. Cargo is offloaded, and new merchandise is brought aboard. Then the captain of the ship awaits a favorable south wind for immediate departure to the next port …

Not happening …

My heart says that if Paul can manage permission to go ashore, he is anxious to evangelize at Sicily. Indeed, modern Sicilians claim that their present day church was founded by the Apostle Paul. On the surface, that may sound like a walk in the park, but not necessarily. Ancient Syracuse is a city of great commerce, wealth, beauty, and splendor. The city is full of grand marble structures, statues and fountains. Temples to Jupiter, Fortune, Diana, and Minerva evidence the idolatry at Syracuse. There must be resistance to Paul’s Gospel if the centurion, Julius, allows Paul shore leave.

Finally after three days the winds turn around, the captain barks departure orders, and the crew casts off.

¹³From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, ¹⁴where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. ~Acts 28:13-14 NKJV

How encouraging to meet up with brethren! The week is certainly full of mystery about who these believers are. There has long been a Jewish colony at Puteoli, but nothing is said here about the history of this group of believers. Imagine how warm the greetings are at Paul’s arrival! Perhaps they host the entire ship of people with food and celebration while Paul makes new disciples and teaches about Jesus.

Then everyone aboard The Twin Brothers disembarks at Puteoli, as the remaining journey to Rome is overland. Julius organizes his soldiers and prisoners for the 129-mile march to Rome.

canstockphoto9001960 — View of Naples Gulf from Pozzuoli – Modern-day Puteoli ©Can Stock Photo Inc. / PerseoMedusa

Excited believers in Rome hear that Paul is getting close. They rush out to meet the group of travelers as they arrive forty miles outside of Rome. Luke states that Paul is very encouraged by this gesture and thanks God for the love shown to him by the believers of Rome.

Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. ~Acts 28:16 NKJV

Ah, that Julius! He surely cares for Paul’s well-being. And the Lord provides for Paul’s needs through Julius!

So what is to be gleaned from retelling this story of Paul’s Voyage to Rome? I see God’s divine guidance upon this journey. The Lord mapped out the route and the timing; mastered the weather, and selected kindly authority – namely the centurion, Julius. God placed Luke there as physician and recorder of the events. Nothing happens by chance with Almighty God. He let it be known to all people on and off both ships of His Supreme Power juxtaposed to the impotency of pagan idols encountered on the voyage.

And God is just getting started! Paul remains at Rome for two more years while God prepares Roman authority to hear Paul’s legal case. Roman and Jewish leadership is moved around by God as on a chessboard. Paul meets with the Jewish leadership in Rome right away in order to explain about his reason for being there and about Jesus, Who fulfills both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Paul preaches from his rented house to any and all who come to hear the Gospel of Christ. During that time God’s powerful plans for the spreading of the Gospel press forward, with Paul standing up for Jesus as the Messiah against powerful worldly opposition.

The best thing about Paul is that he is willing to do God’s work. He focuses on the prize, and not his surroundings. He trusts the Lord. Isn’t that exactly what our Lord expects from Jesus’ followers today?

“Father God, today I trust that Your will be done as it was for Paul; that Your hand will direct the route, the timing, the means, weather, and favorable authority over my steps. Forgive me for passing up opportunities to share Your Gospel in favor of my own vain materialistic pursuits. Give me the heart of a servant, so I may grow by Your Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus; and increasingly share Your Word in the time remaining. In the Blessed Name Above All Names, Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah, Amen.”

We may have to check in on that meeting between Paul and the Jewish leadership at Rome. In the meantime, thank you for following

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Voyage to Rome | Resumes

Three months on the island of Malta and Julius must be anxious to get going. During this time does he becomes a believer? We know he cares for Paul, but Luke does not reveal Julius’s heart for Jesus. We do know that the centurion makes sure this voyage resumes.

When everyone who was sick was healed, Luke says, “this was done.” That tiny phrase packs a wallop with me. Besides rest, healing, and many new converts (I believe), what else was done? Throughout the journey from Jerusalem; the Euroclydon and shipwreck on Malta; I somehow sense that the Lord is slowing down Paul’s arrival at Rome. Despite the storm and shipwreck, castaways, snakebite, and massive healings on Malta; this is a very productive trip so far. We know the heart of Paul is to hurry to the new congregation in Rome, but Paul takes advantage of the many opportunities to preach¹. Does Paul write any letters to any churches during this time? I can’t find evidence, but possibly he did and they were destroyed during times of church persecutions.

God never does anything without a reason. Besides all His miracles and Paul’s preaching, what is going on over at Rome? What was done to prepare the way for Paul to stay there a few years while his legal case slowly grinds through the Roman court system? Our Lord works supernaturally behind the scenes while humans deal with daily routines of life. While three months of winter storms blow themselves out across the Mediterranean Sea, God is preparing a house for Paul, and the hearts of spiritual newborns at the church in Rome. No doubt God is already working out the legal case pending against Paul, too. And not any small thing, the Holy Spirit has been changing the hearts of the Maltese toward Paul and the rest of the sailing group. You gotta know that new relationships have been formed during the past three months – both spiritual and carnal. Think of the tears as new friendships are feeling the sadness of parting … I just smile thinking that God uses these sort of events to work his love and tenderness in the hearts of people.

As Julius gets the ship ready to go, here come the natives with gifts of every sort to sustain them on their voyage to Rome. It is a huge send-off and probably takes two or three days to stow all the cargo plus secure the prisoners aboard. Big feasts and tearful goodbyes may end up with friends launching canoes in order to follow the ship out a little way; maybe some cast flowers onto the surface of the sea.

They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. ~ Acts 28:10 NKJV

Finally, the voyage to Rome resumes! Click on the ship to link to an interactive map of Paul’s journey ↓

canstockphoto5468354 — Alexandrian vessel, similar to The Twin Brothers (Castor and Pollux)

“Thank you, Lord, for helping us to get done what is Your will during our life’s journey. May it be pleasing to You, in the Matchless Name Above All Names, Jesus (Yeshua). Amen.”

PC: Ancient Greek Ship ©CanStock Photo/Diomedes66

¹O’Neal, Sam. (2018, December 7). Earliest Days of the Roman Christian Church. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/the-early-church-at-rome-363409

Voyage to Rome | Malta

canstockphoto20640734 — White Cliffs of Malta

Just as God promised, all two hundred seventy-six persons aboard the doomed ship are saved! The natives are friendly, and help the soggy sailors build a fire on the beach, as it is cold and rainy. They let Paul’s party know that the island is called Malta!

Luke records that the natives are UNUSUALLY friendly. I wonder why? Perhaps some of the foodstuffs and boat gear has been washing up on the beach during Euroclydon and they are in a happy mood. They may think their gods are favoring them with more surprises from the sea for their entertainment … or exploitation.

No sooner does Paul gather wood for the fire than he is bitten by a viper, which scares the locals. Paul just shakes the snake into the fire, and the Maltese immediately expect Paul to succumb to the venomous attack. They suspect the prisoner Paul of being a murderer or something. He must be deserving of such horrid judgement. But Paul is not harmed.

So now he must be a god!

This is so true of humans even today. Idol worship still makes no common sense.

Anyway, the mayor of the area, a man named Plubius, courteously invites the shipwrecked crew into his home for three days. Plubius’s father is sick with fever and dysentery, so Paul prays and lays hands on the man. The man is healed, and the good news spreads across Malta. If there are any lingering suspicions of the foreigners in their midst, all doubt is now erased. Is this further proof that Paul is indeed a visiting god? Here come the island’s sick and diseased. Their sicknesses are healed, too.

Of course, Paul does not allow the Maltese to worship him as a god. He ministers to the entire island about Jesus and many become believers.

Why do I believe that there were many saved at Malta because of the witness of Paul?

Because that is what Apostles are instructed to do by the Master, Jesus (Yeshua). And throughout the Book of Acts Prayer for the sick and Laying on of Hands leads to Healing and that leads to Belief in Jesus and Salvation in Him – it’s a heavenly formula!

¹²And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people … ¹³Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. ¹⁴And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, ¹⁵so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. ¹⁶Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. ~ (Peter) in Acts 5:12-15 NKJV

God even uses resurrection of the dead to reach people for salvation in Jesus. Take the instance of Jesus raising Lazarus; or the Apostle Peter at Joppa:

Tabitha (Dorcas), who was a Christian disciple, took sick and died. Other disciples knew that Peter was staying at Lydda, which was not far from Joppa. Two men went to Peter and asked him to help.

³⁹Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. ⁴⁰But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴²And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. ~ Acts 9:39-42 NKJV

There are many other scriptural examples of what I think happened on Malta. Enjoy your Bible study and research! God makes sure that His Gospel is going out to every people, nation and tribe. Paul is an obedient servant of Our Lord. He knows that his destiny is Rome and time is short …

I want to talk about today. The Gospel message is still going out and it is as strongly received by lost people as it was in the day of the apostles. People all over the world are still lost in sin. They still worship idols, are sick and tormented by devils. They still need hope and salvation. The same formula still works: Pray for the sick, Lay on hands, let people experience the raw Power of the Holy Spirit Heal folks, Cast out demons, or Raise the dead. The darkness of Africa is being lifted in this same way and Belief in Christ is working over the whole continent. HALLELUHAH!!!

“Praise and thank you Jesus, for lighting that fire in Africa and across the world! Amen! Amen!!”

In the meantime, Julius finds another Alexandrian ship that has wintered over on Malta, whose figurehead is the twins, Castor and Pollux. In three months it will bear them to Rome. Until then they must suffer the honor and island entertainment of Malta. What a nice break after all they had just survived!

Stay tuned if you are feeling the spark of the Holy Spirit and where it is taking us on this Voyage to Rome. There are plenty of twists and turns to this story left to be told. God bless and thank you for following

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Photo Credit ©Can Stock Photo Inc / dinozzaver

Voyage to Rome | Euroclydon!

canstockphoto18753736 — © Can Stock Photo / irabel8

¹³When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.¹⁴But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.¹⁵So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. ~Acts 27:13-15 NKJV

Euroclydon is a violent Nor’easter – a Levanter, or Mediterranean typhoon. We’re not talking a few whitecaps here. No, this is more like Perfect Storm weather.

The captain sets a course a lee of a small island named Clauda. They scramble to bring the skiff onboard, as it is swamping off the aft tow line. Counting the waves, the more experienced crew tag a good one coming alongside and heave the skiff onto the deck. Off they go – cabling up the ship; but soon realize the ship is about to run aground upon the looming sandbars of the Syrtis.

Hey Captain!

Once I was in the Bering Sea on a crabber and holding watch with the skipper. We were running northerly about 10 knots heading to Unalakleet in a driving rain storm chatting about nothing much when I happened to notice what looked like waves breaking over a sandbar! I hollered and the skipper opened his side window to stick his head out for a better look. It was raining so hard the water was standing against the windows, blurring our vision. Nothing on the radar; I grabbed a chart and saw nothing noted; but in a shallow sea like the Bering, it’s common for bars to materialize and then disappear year after year. They go uncharted but vessels beware! Sure enough, we could hardly believe our eyes, but the boat was about to ground on a ghost bar! The skipper hit the jog lever hard port and reversed throttle, jarring our vessel into a change of course while throwing all loose parts and persons down onto the floor from the braking action. The boat shuddered once, then veered to port, nearly grazing the bar.

Likewise, Paul’s captain orders to strike sail in defeat of Euroclydon, and narrowly misses the Sartys. Off they go again; away from the Sartys Sands and into the hungry jaws of the tempest. After jogging up and down the Adriatic all night pitching and tossing to and fro; they lash each other to the deck to avoid being washed overboard by walls of water. The next day all unnecessary goods, cargo, and ballast are thrown into the angry sea.

The ship is far off course now and no effort to lighten the ship has eased their plight. On the third day in a last bid for survival, captain gives the order to throw all the ship’s tackle overboard. Without gear to assist, the crew throws it over by hand and fear begins to gnaw at their shrunken bellies.

Amazingly, for many days not much changes. Imagine the darkness. The skies are totally black. No sun by day, or moon nor stars by night. The sea is a dark, clawing hole. No light anywhere day after day. Wave after wave washes over the deck as the lurching ship threatens to roll over … but doesn’t.

Euroclydon reminds me of a bully grabbing someone and shaking them upside down until everything in their pockets dumps out onto the ground. If you have ever been on the sea in the grip of a serious storm, you know what I mean. The sheer power of a great typhoon like this little ship endured is terrifying and humbling. The keel visibly twists and groans while those on deck pray that it does not snap!

I wonder what Julius, the soldiers, captain, ship owner, crew, and the other prisoners are thinking by the first week of this storm? … The words hopeless, helpless, or defeated come to mind. They may be praying to their gods, who they must believe are very angry. How about by day ten? After that, it would most likely be downright fear. Only Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus would likely be praying and trusting in our Heavenly Father YHWH for deliverance.

canstockphoto56457039 — Greek Ship Mosaic ©CanStock Photo/finaeva_i

Until next post we must leave our beleaguered group in the deathly grip of Euroclydon; which is still raging with no end in sight.

Stay tuned, and thank you for following importantstuff.live!

Voyage to Rome | A Late Start

canstockphoto51317140 — Matala Beach, Crete, Greece ©CanStock Photo/gatsi

The Jewish leadership of Jerusalem has accused Paul of sedition according to their law (Acts 21-26). After possibly being held for ransom in Caesarea for two years by then Governor Felix, Paul’s case is heard by the new Governor Portius Festus and yet another politico named King Herod Agrippa II.

Paul eloquently defends himself to these authorities and also gives witness about Jesus to everyone there with no evidence of belief in the room. However, Paul is granted his appeal to be tried by Caesar and handed over to a Roman centurion of the Augustan Regiment named Julius.

How many times have I thought I was headed in the right direction and then out of the blue I’m derailed into some kind of weird time-loop-thing I can’t seem to make any sense of, but is hindering my progress! Not just me, but other people tell me they experience the same thing. Praise God! His timing is perfect! …. I tend to blunder along and sometimes God sends me a big, “WHOA, SLOW DOWN!” command … anyway, back to our story of Paul, who appears to be two years late from the git-go on heading over to Rome …

Time to shove off!

Julius wastes no time in setting sail for Rome with Paul, Luke, Aristarchus, and some other prisoners in tow. Within a day, they reach the port of Sidon, where Julius shows a bit of kindness toward Paul and allows him freedom to visit with friends before setting sail again. A bit of a wind tosses the ship, so the captain steers along the leeward shoreline of Cyprus and hugs the southern coastline of today’s Turkey before pulling into Myla, a city of Lycia. Julius quickly books passage on an Alexandrian ship heading to Italy, and as soon as his responsibilities are all aboard, probably kicks back for a game of dice with his officers; thinking that the voyage to Rome is going along better than he could have expected.

Not so fast!

“⁷When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. ⁸Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.” ~ Acts 27:7-8 NKJV

Now winter is pressing upon this little ship of fools – Ooops! I mean souls. So much time has passed by now that even The Fast is mentioned in verse 9, or Tisri (The Day of Atonement), indicating the date to be September 24th in that year. After much time spent debating whether to put up here for the winter or to press forward to Crete, Paul warns Julius against proceeding. Paul predicts loss of cargo, the ship, and even lives if the ship continues.

Against Paul’s warning Julius accepts the captain’s and ship-owner’s advice to continue onward to Crete. There is a better winter harbor at Phoenix on Crete and perhaps Julius values the judgement of experienced sailors over a prisoner who may or may not want to delay legal proceedings in Rome. Regardless, the winds let down, majority rules, and off they sail … thinking they have favor with the sea gods!

How often do I launch my boat against good advice? – Or even worse, against God’s will? Hah! Too many times for me to confess here. At least with the Holy Spirit’s help I chose the right harbor – Jesus is my rest. How about you, friend?

Stay tuned to hear Luke’s account of what happens next as the wind changes and calamity strikes!

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Paul Journey to Rome