NLT Illustrated Study Bible - Book of Acts - Flipbook - Page 75
A cts 2 7 : 4 4
2031
27:35
Matt 14:19
27:38
Jon 1:5
Acts 27:18
27:41
2 Cor 11:25
27:4344
Acts 27:22, 24
now for your own good. For not a hair of
your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took
some bread, gave thanks to God before
them all, and broke off a piece and ate it.
36 Then everyone was encouraged and began
to eat—37 all 276 of us who were on board.
38 After eating, the crew lightened the ship
further by throwing the cargo of wheat over
board.
39 When morning dawned, they didn’t
recognize the coastline, but they saw a bay
with a beach and wondered if they could get
to shore by running the ship aground. 40 So
they cut off the anchors and left them in the
sea. Then they lowered the rudders, raised
the foresail, and headed toward shore. 41 But
they hit a shoal and ran the ship aground
too soon. The bow of the ship stuck fast,
while the stern was repeatedly smashed by
the force of the waves and began to break
apart.
42 The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners
to make sure they didn’t swim ashore and es
cape. 43 But the commanding officer wanted
to spare Paul, so he didn’t let them carry out
their plan. Then he ordered all who could
swim to jump overboard first and make
for land. 44 The others held on to planks or
debris from the broken ship.* So everyone
escaped safely to shore.
2 7:44 Or or were helped by members of the ship’s crew.
Angels
Acts 27:2324
Ps 91:11
Dan 8:1518;
9:2123; 10:4–11:1;
12:12
Zech 1:813, 1819;
2:35
Matt 1:2024; 4:57,
11; 13:3942, 4950;
18:10; 24:31; 28:27
Mark 16:57
Luke 1:1122, 2638;
2:815; 9:26; 12:8
John 20:1213
Acts 5:1920;
7:3035, 53; 10:38;
12:611, 23
1 Cor 11:10
Gal 1:8; 3:19
Col 2:18
1 Thes 4:16
1 Tim 3:16; 5:21
Heb 1:514; 12:22;
13:2
2 Pet 2:4, 11
Jude 1:6, 9
Rev 1:12; 5:2,
1112; 7:12; 8:38;
9:15; 10:79;
14:610; 16:112;
19:10, 17; 20:1;
22:69
In the book of Acts we frequently encounter the ministry of angels. On several occa
sions, an angel of the Lord made possible miraculous escapes from prison (5:19; 12:611).
An angel offered a message of encouragement to Paul in the midst of a violent storm
(27:2324). An angel also directed Cornelius to seek the Good News from Peter (10:3, 7, 22;
11:13). On the other hand, we are told that an angel struck down Herod Agrippa “because
he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God” (12:23). Throughout
Acts, God was guiding his people in their ministry and using angels to accomplish his
purpose.
The ministry of angels is also prominent in the Gospels. Angels announced the births of
John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:1–2:52) and ministered to Jesus after his temptation (Matt
4:57). Angels appeared at the empty tomb after the resurrection of Jesus (Matt 28:2, 5; Mark
16:57; Luke 24:23; John 20:12).
Throughout the Bible, angels are God’s heavenly agents who carry out his purpose and
communicate God’s will to humanity (Gen 16:7; Num 22:2234; Judg 13:1321; 2 Kgs 1:3,
15; Zech 1:412; 12:8). Angels had a role in putting God’s law into effect through Moses (Acts
7:30, 35, 38, 53; Gal 3:19). They are “spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salva
tion” (Heb 1:14). Angels dispense God’s grace and sometimes administer his judgment (Acts
12:23; 2 Kgs 19:35; Rev 9:15; 16:112). Angels were witnesses of Christ’s life (1 Tim 3:16),
and they are now witnesses of the lives of God’s people (1 Cor 11:10; 1 Tim 5:21). There are
guardian angels who protect God’s people (Matt 18:10; see also Pss 34:7; 91:11; Acts 12:11).
Angels will accompany Christ when he returns (Matt 25:31; 2 Thes 1:78) and will participate
in the final judgment (Matt 13:39, 41, 4950; 16:27; 24:31; Mark 13:27; Luke 9:26; 12:8;
2 Thes 1:7).
Some angels have fallen into sin and are destined for eternal judgment (Matt 25:41; 2 Pet
2:4, 11; Jude 1:6). The only angels named in the Bible are Michael and Gabriel, who carry
out special assignments (Dan 8:16, 18; 9:21; 10:12, 21; 12:12; Luke 1:1920; 1 Thes 4:16;
Jude 1:9).
Although angels are spiritual and heavenly beings, angels are not to be worshiped (Gal
1:8; Col 2:18; Rev 19:10; 22:89), because they are inferior to Christ (Heb 1:514). Their role
is to be servants of God (Heb 1:14).
27:3637 The food brought renewed
strength and encouragement to the
frightened and exhausted crew and
prisoners. • all 276 of us: The exact
number of persons onboard fits well
with what is known of grain ships of
the period.
PROPHETS OF ISRAEL
27:3941 They ran the ship aground on
a shoal or reef.
27:4244 Even in a crisis, the prisoners
remained the responsibility of the soldiers (see 12:19; 16:27; 27:32; see note
on 16:27). Fortunately, the commanding
GOSPELS & ACTS
officer intervened on their behalf. It was
a clear indication of God’s protection
and favor that all 276 people made it
safely to shore, precisely fulfilling the
angel’s promise (see 27:24).
L E T T E R S O F PAU L
OTHER LET TERS
