The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
July 10
Acts 27:21-44
Commentary by Nick Boork
July 10
Acts 27:21-44
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July 10 ~ Acts 27:21-44
But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. 30 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, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
39 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. 40 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. 41 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. 42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 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, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
OKAY HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
How God uses angels in our lives
What’s exciting to me about what Paul went through is that at the right time God sent an angel from Heaven to bring him a message. The word angel means “messenger”. Why do you think that it was after two weeks that this angel showed up? I mean, how come he didn’t show up the first day of the storm? When you read about the prophet Daniel he fasted for 21 days. The Bible reveals that the very first day that Daniel began to fast God sent an angel in response to his prayers. However, this angel encountered resistance from the fallen angels that were loyal to Satan and they battled for 21 days. God decided it was time for his message to get to Daniel and he sent Michael the Archangel down to cut a hole through all the resistance!
In this situation, we see that Paul fasted for two weeks. On the 14th day God sent an angel with a message of great encouragement that Paul would indeed make it to Rome and testify before Caesar. Paul rebuked the Roman Centurion and in the Captain of the ship for their stubborn refusal to listen to the warning God gave him about the impending trouble that would come to them at sea but I love the fact that the Lord is so merciful! An angel from the Lord communicated that Paul not only would be saved but everyone on the ship also, a total of 276 persons would not perish. The Bible says they were greatly encouraged. What we do not find here is the apostle Paul praying to his personal angel for safety. Nor is it recorded anywhere in the Bible of the saints praying to their personal angels.
The fact is, God uses angels as messengers and servants but we should not be praying for an angelic revelation or visitation. No, that’s that is the primary work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to lead us. However, if the Lord decides to send an angel to us with a message that’s always his decision not ours. Remember how that the Lord sent an angel to Cornelius and a vision while he was praying? What was the message? Send people to go get the apostle Peter so he can share with you the message of salvation through Jesus Christ!
The Bible says that an angel appeared to the Lord Jesus Christ in the garden strengthening him as result of prayer but it does not say that he prayed that the Father would send an angel to strengthen him. Jesus actually mentioned to the apostles that if he wanted he could pray to the Father and He could send him 12 legions of angels to deliver him from the cross. Jesus also taught us that every child of God is being watched and cared for by angels from the Heavenly Father.
Additionally, angels are sent to be servants to those that are to inherit salvation. But I would be ultra careful and cautious about some of the extreme teachings that I believe are outside of God’s will that would lead believers to pray to angels or seek the experience of angelic visitations and messages. Our faith should be always in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, never in angels! The clear warning from the Scripture is that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light in order to deceive Christians. This is very interesting because the apostle Paul was warning the Corinthians about false apostles.
How do you know the difference?
Jesus said you would know them by their fruits! Another way is if the message or manifestation goes contrary to the will of God and twists the Scriptures to say something they really don’t say. When I was a kid I asked my mother how tellers at Banks could tell the difference between real and counterfeit money. She told me that the bank tellers are used to handling true money and the paper had a certain feel to it. When a counterfeit bill came across it just didn’t feel right when they touched it. This is how it also is with a child of God who handles the word of God constantly. When you fill your life with the Word of God which is the truth and you’re walking with the Lord and some false message comes in the form of an angel or even a wolf in sheep’s clothing sent from Satan it just doesn’t feel right. The anointing of the Holy Spirit within you and the truth of the Word of God tells you this message is not from God!
Now don’t misunderstand me, I do believe in the power of God and all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12 that manifest supernaturally but they glorify Jesus Christ and bless people to meet needs and lead unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Beware of anyone that is inviting you to any special meeting to experience of connecting with God through angels and other spiritual manifestations! In my opinion, some of these meetings are nothing more than New Age spirituality which is really occult practices wrapped up in new gift paper! It’s just like the devil to take part of the truth of God’s Word which is good and twist it into a teaching to deceive spiritually hungry people to open themselves up to demons.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) God controls angels not the saints.
2) We never find anyone praying to a personal angel in the Bible.
3) The Lord does use his holy angels for his purposes even at times communicating messages as in the case of Paul but our faith should always be in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit not in angels.
4) Beware of anyone that tries to lead you into spiritual experiences by connecting with angels. This is outside of the Word of God and may be used by the devil to open you up to his deceptions.
5) The primary ways that God leads his people is through the written Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. 30 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, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
39 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. 40 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. 41 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. 42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 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, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
OKAY HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
How God uses angels in our lives
What’s exciting to me about what Paul went through is that at the right time God sent an angel from Heaven to bring him a message. The word angel means “messenger”. Why do you think that it was after two weeks that this angel showed up? I mean, how come he didn’t show up the first day of the storm? When you read about the prophet Daniel he fasted for 21 days. The Bible reveals that the very first day that Daniel began to fast God sent an angel in response to his prayers. However, this angel encountered resistance from the fallen angels that were loyal to Satan and they battled for 21 days. God decided it was time for his message to get to Daniel and he sent Michael the Archangel down to cut a hole through all the resistance!
In this situation, we see that Paul fasted for two weeks. On the 14th day God sent an angel with a message of great encouragement that Paul would indeed make it to Rome and testify before Caesar. Paul rebuked the Roman Centurion and in the Captain of the ship for their stubborn refusal to listen to the warning God gave him about the impending trouble that would come to them at sea but I love the fact that the Lord is so merciful! An angel from the Lord communicated that Paul not only would be saved but everyone on the ship also, a total of 276 persons would not perish. The Bible says they were greatly encouraged. What we do not find here is the apostle Paul praying to his personal angel for safety. Nor is it recorded anywhere in the Bible of the saints praying to their personal angels.
The fact is, God uses angels as messengers and servants but we should not be praying for an angelic revelation or visitation. No, that’s that is the primary work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to lead us. However, if the Lord decides to send an angel to us with a message that’s always his decision not ours. Remember how that the Lord sent an angel to Cornelius and a vision while he was praying? What was the message? Send people to go get the apostle Peter so he can share with you the message of salvation through Jesus Christ!
The Bible says that an angel appeared to the Lord Jesus Christ in the garden strengthening him as result of prayer but it does not say that he prayed that the Father would send an angel to strengthen him. Jesus actually mentioned to the apostles that if he wanted he could pray to the Father and He could send him 12 legions of angels to deliver him from the cross. Jesus also taught us that every child of God is being watched and cared for by angels from the Heavenly Father.
Additionally, angels are sent to be servants to those that are to inherit salvation. But I would be ultra careful and cautious about some of the extreme teachings that I believe are outside of God’s will that would lead believers to pray to angels or seek the experience of angelic visitations and messages. Our faith should be always in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, never in angels! The clear warning from the Scripture is that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light in order to deceive Christians. This is very interesting because the apostle Paul was warning the Corinthians about false apostles.
How do you know the difference?
Jesus said you would know them by their fruits! Another way is if the message or manifestation goes contrary to the will of God and twists the Scriptures to say something they really don’t say. When I was a kid I asked my mother how tellers at Banks could tell the difference between real and counterfeit money. She told me that the bank tellers are used to handling true money and the paper had a certain feel to it. When a counterfeit bill came across it just didn’t feel right when they touched it. This is how it also is with a child of God who handles the word of God constantly. When you fill your life with the Word of God which is the truth and you’re walking with the Lord and some false message comes in the form of an angel or even a wolf in sheep’s clothing sent from Satan it just doesn’t feel right. The anointing of the Holy Spirit within you and the truth of the Word of God tells you this message is not from God!
Now don’t misunderstand me, I do believe in the power of God and all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12 that manifest supernaturally but they glorify Jesus Christ and bless people to meet needs and lead unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Beware of anyone that is inviting you to any special meeting to experience of connecting with God through angels and other spiritual manifestations! In my opinion, some of these meetings are nothing more than New Age spirituality which is really occult practices wrapped up in new gift paper! It’s just like the devil to take part of the truth of God’s Word which is good and twist it into a teaching to deceive spiritually hungry people to open themselves up to demons.
WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) God controls angels not the saints.
2) We never find anyone praying to a personal angel in the Bible.
3) The Lord does use his holy angels for his purposes even at times communicating messages as in the case of Paul but our faith should always be in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit not in angels.
4) Beware of anyone that tries to lead you into spiritual experiences by connecting with angels. This is outside of the Word of God and may be used by the devil to open you up to his deceptions.
5) The primary ways that God leads his people is through the written Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll