Bible Commentaries

DISCOURSE: 1815

PAUL’S DELIVERANCE FROM SHIPWRECK

Acts 27:25. Sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

WHATEVER difference there may sometimes appear between the dispensations of God’s providence and the declarations of his word, we may be well assured that there never was, nor ever shall be, the slightest opposition between them. The declarations of God indeed may be conditional, when the conditions are not actually expressed; and then the event predicted, will be conformed, not to the words, but to the spirit of the declaration. This was remarkably the case with respect to Nineveh, which was spared, apparently in opposition to the threatenings denounced against them, but really in conformity with the conditions contained in them: but no word that was unconditionally uttered, ever failed of its accomplishment.

In the history of St. Paul there were strong and positive assurances given him, that he should preach the Gospel at Rome [Note: Acts 19:21; Acts 23:11.]. But various circumstances arose from time to time, which threatened to defeat this purpose of the Most High. When Paul was seized in the temple, the people dragged him out with extreme violence, and “went about to kill him [Note: Acts 21:31.]:” and when he made his defence before them, they were wrought up almost to madness, and cried out, “Away with such a fellow from the earth; for it is not fit that he should live [Note: Acts 22:22.]!” The next day, when he was standing before the Jewish council, there arose so great a dissension between his auditors, that he was in danger of being “pulled in pieces by them [Note: Acts 23:10.].” Then there was a conspiracy of more than forty persons formed to take away his life [Note: Acts 23:14-15.]: and, when this was, almost by miracle, defeated, another conspiracy was formed and defeated in like manner, notwithstanding the judge himself strove to favour it [Note: Acts 25:2-3; Acts 25:9-11.]. At last he was sent by sea to Rome: but behold, he was overtaken with a storm, which seemed to cut off all hope of his ever arriving at his final destination. Even Paul himself appears now to have given up all expectation that his life would be spared: but God sent an angel to dissipate his fears, and to assure him, that what had been spoken to him respecting his standing before C ζsar, should certainly be accomplished [Note: ver. 24.]. This declaration the Apostle fully credited; and he took occasion from it to comfort and encourage all that were in the ship with him; “Sirs, be of good cheer; for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.”

From these words, as verified in the event, we shall take occasion to set before you,

I. The office of faith—

[Faith is represented by St. Paul as “the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen:” and such it manifested itself to be in Paul at this time: he saw not how his deliverance was to be effected; but God had told him that the whole crew should be saved; and therefore he entertained no doubt whatever as to the issue of their present dangers.

Now this is exactly the office of faith in relation to every word of God. Whether God threaten or promise, we must regard the event as certain. Much is told us in the inspired volume respecting the salvation of all who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ — — — These promises we are to apprehend and rely upon, “not staggering at any of them,” but having a confident assurance that they shall all be fulfilled to us in their season — — —]

We must not however separate from this,

II. The obligations of faith—

[When the peril of shipwreck became more imminent, the sailors, under pretence of casting anchors out of the fore-ship, would have endeavoured to save themselves in the boat: but Paul, perceiving their intentions, told the centurion and the soldiers, that unless the seamen continued in the ship, none of the crew could be saved [Note: ver. 31.]. But had not God promised absolutely, that not one life among them should be lost? How then could the desertion of a part of the crew prove the destruction of the whole? The answer to this is plain: God had ordained the means as well as the end: and to seek the one without using the other, was to tempt God, rather than to trust him.

Now this observation is of great importance, as reflecting light on the manner in which God accomplishes all his promises to us. He “has given us exceeding great and precious promises;” and no one of them shall ever fail; but we are not therefore at liberty to sit down idly, and to expect salvation without any exertions on our part: we must exert ourselves as much as if our success depended wholly on our own arm; and at the same time we are to trust in God as simply, as if no effort whatever were used by us. This is the mode prescribed by God himself. He tells us, that “eternal life is the gift of God through Jesus Christ:” yet he says, “Labour for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man will give you [Note: John 6:27. Compare with this, other passages of like import: Ezekiel 36:36-37. Proverbs 2:2-6.].” The consideration of God’s promised aid is so far from superseding our own personal exertions, that it is our great encouragement to put them forth [Note: Philippians 2:12-13.]: and to look for salvation in any other way than that which God has marked out, is to deceive ourselves to our eternal ruin. The means and the end are equally ordained of God [Note: 2 Thessalonians 2:13.]: and what God has joined, it is in vain for man to put asunder.]

In performing these duties, we may expect,

III. The benefits of faith—

[Two benefits accrued to Paul and his associates, namely, present peace, and final safety. Notwithstanding the storm continued as violent as ever, and they had turned adrift the boat which they might have looked to as useful for their preservation, we behold the whole crew in a state of comparative peace and comfort [Note: ver. 36.]: and, in the issue, every one of them obtained the desire of his soul; for though the ship grounded, and was broken in pieces, all were saved at last; some by swimming to shore, and others on boards and the broken pieces of the ship.

Here we behold an exact representation of the benefits which faith in Christ will always obtain. We shall be brought to a state of sweet composure, notwithstanding we are yet in the midst of a tumultuous world, and menaced with dangers on every side: we shall “be filled with joy and peace in believing [Note: Romans 15:13.],” yea “with joy unspeakable and glorified [Note: 1 Peter 1:8.]” — — — Our anticipation of a successful issue to our conflicts will be almost, as it were, an antepast of heaven [Note: Romans 8:33-39.]. Nor shall we be disappointed of our hope at last [Note: Isaiah 45:17.]. Our way may be “through much tribulation:” yea, we may “be scarcely saved [Note: 1 Peter 4:18.],” that is, with vast difficulty; we may “be saved so as by fire [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:15.]:” but we shall never perish: “it is not the will of our Father that one of his little ones should perish [Note: Matthew 18:14.];” nor shall one grain, however sifted, or however small, be missing from his garner [Note: Amos 9:9.].]

Address—

1. Those who are proceeding on their voyage without any apprehension of danger—

[The mariners, though warned by Paul, thought little of danger till it was too late. And have not we innumerable warnings from all the inspired writers? yet we go forward thinking of little but temporal ease and prosperity. But how soon may the hour arrive, when, like the mariners, we shall be glad to part with all that we possess, for the preservation even of our bodily lives, and much more for the salvation of our souls! Let us in a time of ease and prosperity consider this, and stand prepared for troubles and for death itself. That servant alone is truly “blessed, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find thus watching.”]

2. Those who are harassed with storms and tempests—

[Many there are, who, in this ever-changing state of things, are “afflicted and tossed with tempest, and not comforted.” But, blessed be God, they have “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” “The promises made to us in Christ, are sure to all the seed.” However imminent our danger may appear, we should not despond: “there is help laid for us on One that is mighty,” on One, who is “able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him.” Fear not then, but only believe; and whatever difficulties you may have to encounter, you have the promise of your Lord and Saviour, that “none shall pluck you out of his hand;” and his Father’s veracity and power, no less than his own, are pledged for your everlasting salvation [Note: John 10:28-29.].]