ACTS: God is In Control of the Storm; "'We must run aground on a certain island', for God our Savior desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth!"

When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. (Acts 27:39-41)

"Paul's Shipwreck" by Ludolf Backhuysen

And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. (Acts 27:42-44)

Paul had told the soldiers when they were in the midst of the storm, "I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.” (Acts 27:22-26)

As they were nearing land, Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 27:29-31) God had fulfilled His Word just as He had spoken, all two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship (Acts 27:37) had been saved.

Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. (Acts 28:1-2)  A lot of what Jesus prophesied to the disciples was fulfilled by Paul, and especially during this voyage to Rome.  And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16)

First, Jesus' commandment to preach the gospel to every creature was fulfilled, because Paul and many other apostles and disciples had traveled throughout the known world spreading the gospel.  The gospel message started over 6,000 years ago when God spoke to Satan, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:9-24); and the gospel message has gone throughout the whole world since, even across waters to remote islands and large countries today.  

How? Because God made sure it did!  This storm and shipwreck that Paul and all 276 aboard that ship survived was a part of God's Divine Plan.  God wanted Paul to witness to those on board and demonstrate His power, as a testimony that He was the only True God.  He also wanted them to run aground on a certain island, so that the people there would hear the gospel also, for God our Savior... desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:3-4) So, there they were with the natives, who were showing them unusual kindness.

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. (Acts 28:3-6)  Jesus prophecy fulfilled when He said, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them;..." (Mark 16:17-18)

In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. (Acts 28:7-10) ...including a ship, obviously. Jesus prophecy completed when He said, "...they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:18)

GOD IS AWESOME, and His Word never fails!  Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:3-4) That's how the gospel of Christ Jesus spreads throughout the whole world.  This isn't anything new that we modern people have to figure out how to get the message to the most remote parts of the world.  God took care of that for the last 6,000 years.  We just need to make sure we continue in this generation by praising His works to the next generation!