20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

We may suppose that Paul himself shared in this hopelessness. He had no certain knowledge of the mode in which his apostolic labours would end. So far as he was concerned, a watery grave would have been as acceptable and appropriate, as the executioners block; and to this he may have supposed he had now come, unless he inferred from the Lords intimation to him at Jerusalem that he must testify at Rome (Acts 23:11), that he must survive the voyage.

At all events, whatever his fears and feelings may have been, they received a perfect quietus from an angelic visit towards the end of the disastrous voyage. The angel stood by him during the night and said,

"Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar, and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee".

This may help us to realise the potency of Spirit power. If ever there is a time when spiritual things seem unreal, it is during a storm at sea; amid the howl of the tempest; the rage of the waters; the reel and lurch of the helpless vessel; the cold and wet and confusion among those on board, who, with chattering teeth and failing heart, await with prayer and patience the subsidence of the elements.

At such a time our poor, weak faith is liable to fall like a lifeless bird to the bottom of its cage. But here, an angel stands by Paul in the midst of it all; the storm no impediment to his arrival at the vessel.

A storm is but air in motion, though impressing frail mortals so much; and there is something more subtle and powerful than air.

The rushing waters and flying foam are no distraction to his mind or message; the perilous position of the ship no discouragement to his clear sight and confidence. The Spirit of God underlies all elements and all phenomena, and this messenger is Spirit, and can even make the storm his chariot to bear him onward on his journey. It is but at any time a question of the will of the Almighty Father, who is Spirit, and at whose command are legions of these His angels who excel in strength.

Our lot falling in an age when God's open work is momentarily suspended (as declared beforehand), leaves us a prey to the impressions and fears of feeble sense. But let understanding have the sway.

God can take care of us in the darkness and the storm without appearing to do so. And His purpose will come gloriously forth to a triumphant issue at last, whatever darknesses and inefficiencies and aberrations may afflict human experiences in this age of sin.

Seasons 2.2.

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

This may help us to realise the potency of Spirit power. If ever there is a time when spiritual things seem unreal, it is during a storm at sea; amid the howl of the tempest; the rage of the waters; the reel and lurch of the helpless vessel; the cold and wet and confusion among those on board, who, with chattering teeth and failing heart, await with prayer and patience the subsidence of the elements. At such a time our poor, weak faith is liable to fall like a lifeless bird to the bottom of its cage. But here, an angel stands by Paul in the midst of it all; the storm no impediment to his arrival at the vessel.

A storm is but air in motion, though impressing frail mortals so much; and there is something more subtle and powerful than air. The rushing waters and flying foam are no distraction to his mind or message; the perilous position of the ship no discouragement to his clear sight and confidence. The Spirit of God underlies all elements and all phenomena, and this messenger is Spirit, and can even make the storm his chariot to bear him onward on his journey. It is but at any time a question of the will of the Almighty Father, who is Spirit, and at whose command are legions of these His angels who excel in strength

Seasons 2.5.

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

Such was Paul's confession,‭ ‬made under circumstances which give it great significance.‭ ‬Many who are prepared to rely on God's Word when things around are favourable,‭ ‬turn sceptical when difficulties arise.‭ ‬That Paul was not of this type is evident from the circumstances alluded to.

‭ ‬The ship in which Paul was journeying as a prisoner to Rome was overtaken by a terrific storm.‭ ‬The ship having become unmanageable—every expediency having proved futile—all hope of her and of the lives on board was abandoned.‭ ‬At this juncture an angel appeared to Paul declaring that not a soul should perish.‭ ‬Paul believed the angelic announcement and retained his confidence in it though all appearances of its realisation grew more and more unlikely.‭

No ray of hope was visible until the direst straits had been reached.‭ ‬The vessel was reduced to a complete wreck,‭ ‬and it was only by means of timber from the broken vessel that those who were unable to swim succeeded in reaching the shore.‭ ‬The narrative was written for our learning.‭ ‬Let us profit by it.‭ ‬Let us cultivate Paul's unqualified belief in the divine Word.‭ ‬Time will most certainly justify the wisdom of the step.

Bro AT Jannaway

The Christadelphian - June 1887

27 But when the 14th night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

Is the Observance of the Sabbath Binding on Believers?

Certainly there is no evidence of their labouring on the Sabbath; nor is there any evidence of their abstaining from work on that day. Consequently no precedent can be drawn from their personal conduct in the matter. Doubtless it would have been dangerous for them to follow their occupations while sojourning in Jewish cities, but no such danger would exist among Pagan communities.

As a matter of prudence, however, they would most likely abstain, in order not to offend the prejudices of the Jews scattered up and down the Roman empire. This was one of the cases to which it would be proper to apply Paul's principle, when he said,

"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient."

In the matter of taking a journey, the facts are somewhat different. Paul could not have gone by sea to some of the places he visited without travelling on the Sabbath. That he did go such a journey on the seventh day, is evident from the narrative of his voyage to Rome, which speaks of his being on the sea for the "fourteenth night."—(Acts 27:27, 33.)

Bro J. J. Andrew.

The Christadelphian, July 1872

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

It would not be wise to omit singing at Sunday evening lectures. It would debar the brethren and sisters from their privileges without a good reason. The presence of the alien is certainly not a reason.

And as for making the alien sit in one part of the hall, and the brethren and sisters in another, it would be carrying the distinctions created by the truth further than the word enjoins, and add needlessly to the prejudice created by these distinctions.

At the breaking of bread, such a division has been found necessary on account of the difficulty of distinguishing the brethren from the strangers in the act of passing round the bread.

TC 02/1887

Thanksgiving

Audible thanksgiving at meals, in the presence of unbelievers, is not a thing a brother need decline under the circumstances referred to; that is, if one or more brethren are on a visit to the house of one interested in the truth, and upon getting ready refreshment before they go, the master of the house ask one of them to give thanks, he may do so (we think) without the least hesitation. It is quite uncalled for at such a moment to begin to object "that we did not believe anyone could approach God who had not put on Christ."

Met in this way, no wonder the gentleman felt rebuffed rather than helped in his interest in the truth. If the house is your own, give thanks, at a formal meal, even though strangers may be present. If you are in another person's house, do the same if you are asked. (If not asked, you are at liberty, of course, to do it for yourself and to yourself.) It is not necessary to ask people under such circumstances to "join you," but to simply give God thanks for the food upon the table, through him who is the sacrifice for sins, and the high priest of his house.

It is not likely that Paul's thanksgiving for food on board ship was done "in a quiet way" if by that be meant that he did it to himself. The whole circumstances suggest that it was audibly done in the hearing of all present. For a brother to say "I do not object to giving thanks audibly before strangers provided there are more brethren there than strangers, and the stranger knows his position," is to govern the matter in too narrow a way. On such a principle a brother would give thanks at dinner when four brethren were present to three strangers, but if by supper time one or two of the brethren or sisters had gone, he would then object.

It is easy to see that this would be ridiculous. It does not matter about the "stranger knowing his position." The giving of thanks may help him to know it. It can scarcely be imagined that the Roman soldiers and what not on board the ship on which Paul gave thanks "knew their position." Yes, Christ likewise gave thanks for bread in the presence of 5,000 people, just the same as he did in the case of the twelve—(John 6:11–23). It is one way of teaching men what they ought to do.

The Christadelphian, Jun 1889