“Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.” (Acts 27:39-44)

One the things we discussed at the beginning of our study on Acts was who really was the main character(s) in the book. The proper title is Acts of the Apostles, but arguments have been made that it should be Acts of the Holy Spirit. In almost every passage we’ve read together, it has been clear the Holy Spirit is the One making everything fit together and work out for the good of everyone. It is His movement, His power, His unity that has tied this entire book together. And today’s passage is another solid piece of evidence in His favor.

Now, who really cares what the title of the book is? That’s not the point. The point is that we understand the power the Apostles have is not because of who they are or a power that they hold themselves, but God’s. It is God, through the Holy Spirit that empowers, enlightens, and engages throughout this gospel movement from Jerusalem to Rome. God is healing people through the Apostles (it’s not the Apostles healing people), and so on.

In surviving this shipwreck, we come to learn that this ship (unsurprisingly) is a group of prisoners. The soldiers, not wanting to let prisoners go free and wreak havoc, decide to kill them (including Paul). This time, it is not Paul so saves everyone, but an unknown centurion that was led (by the Holy Spirit) to save Paul and the others. Everyone was brought safely to land and the journey could continue (once the got a new ship, of course).

Without the power of God, none of this would have happened. Without the power of God, the earth wouldn’t be tilted at the exact perfect angle and the gravitational pull at the exact strength to keep everything in perfect line with the sun. Humanism misses on that point. We humans can do all kinds of crazy things, but we are forgetting the the very foundation of our power comes from God – without Him as our source, there is nothing we can do. It all comes from Him and we owe all to Him. Praise God!