Some Interesting Concepts Learned From Acts 27

Though Acts 27 is just a historical record of part of one of Paul’s journeys, there are actually some interesting doctrinal concepts we can glean from the chapter.

First, we can learn the difference in Predestination and Foreknowledge. God knew there would be “no loss of any man’s life” (verse 22) on this ship voyage through a violent storm, but that would be conditioned upon “except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved” (31). So God did not predestinate (force) the safety of the crew and passengers; instead, He foreknew it. He knew ahead of time what the free will decisions of men would be.

On a related point, Calvinists like to use John 6:37 to say that since the Father “gives” people to Jesus, that salvation must be unconditional. But it didn’t work that way in Acts 27, did it? Acts 27:24 says about Paul’s shipmates – “God hath given thee all them that sail with thee” (meaning “there shall be no loss of any man’s life” – v.22), but (as we said) “except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved” (31). A clear case of God “giving” persons in concert with their free will choices. And when we compare John 6:65 with verses 44-45, we see God “giveth” sinners to Jesus through means, by drawing them with His word – thru teaching, hearing, and learning – resulting in their coming (not by force – Rom 1:16, 10:17). Certainly, without God’s drawing via the word nobody would come to Jesus, but the drawing is not by force (what Calvinists call “irresistible grace”).

Lastly, atheist types think they find a Bible contradiction in Acts 27: Paul said in verse 10 there would be loss of life on the voyage, but he says there would not be loss of life in verse 22. The solution to this apparent contradiction is that Paul was stating his (incorrect) uninspired opinion in verse 10 (that would have been my opinion too if I had been in Paul’s shoes), while 23-25 show us Paul is stating the real truth through inspiration in verse 22.

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