Paul’s Shipwreck - Goin’ to Caesar

In this skit Billy learns about the time that Paul was shipwrecked on his way to Rome as recorded in the Book of Acts. When Paul was falsely accused by the religious leaders in Jerusalem, he was arrested and narrowly escaped being killed by being sent to the governor. Unfortunately, the governor was corrupt and kept him prisoner for two years until he was able to make an appeal to have his case heard by Caesar. On the journey to Rome, Paul’s ship was caught in a storm that lasted two weeks but everyone onboard was miraculously protected even though the ship and its cargo were lost off the coast of Malta. This “detour” gave the Maltese people an opportunity to hear the Good News about Jesus and to have everyone who was sick on the island to be healed when Paul prayed for them. This story is a perfect example of how God works all things for good, even when bad things happen like imprisonment, shipwrecks and snake bites!
Memory Verse:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28 NKJV)
Lessons Taught:
• Paul was from Tarsus
• He went to Jerusalem after he left Troas and to the temple
• The Jewish leaders accused him of defiling the temple by bringing in a Gentile
• A Gentile is someone who isn’t Jewish
• A Jewish person is a descendant of Abraham’s grandson, Jacob
• Paul did not bring his friend from Ephesus into the temple
• The Jewish leaders dragged Paul from the temple and were hurting him until he was rescued by a Roman commander
• Paul was allowed to speak to the crowd and he told them his testimony
• When Paul told them he had been sent to the Gentiles to tell them about Jesus, they yelled and wanted him dead
• 40 of the Jewish leaders plotted to kill Paul
• The Roman commander sent Paul to the governor and sent 470 soldiers with him so he would be safe
• Felix, the governor kept Paul as a prisoner for 2 years because he wanted a bribe to release him
• Paul spoke with Felix about Jesus while he was a prisoner
• The new governor, Festus, suggested that Paul be judged by the religious leaders in Jerusalem
• Paul appealed to Caesar in Rome
• Paul was able to tell his testimony to Governor Festus and King Agrippa
• Paul had to travel to Caesar by ship
• Another Roman centurion, Julius, was in charge of taking Paul and some other prisoners to Rome
• Julius allowed Paul’s friends to visit with him at one of the stops along the way
• After the second stop, it had become dangerous to sail
• Paul warned them to wait until spring to finish the journey but the commander did not listen to him
• A strong storm lasted for 14 days
• An angel told Paul that everyone would survive
• The ship ran aground off the coast of Malta and it broke apart
• The people who lived on the island welcomed them and built a fire
• Paul was bitten by a viper as he was gathering wood for the fire but he just shook off the snake and wasn't harmed
• Paul prayed for the father of an important man on the island and he was healed
• The people on the island brought all of their sick to Paul and they were also healed
• Paul stayed 3 months at Malta
• God works everything out for our good
• Jesus said that His followers would be able to give their testimonies before governors, kings and Gentiles, just as Paul was able to do
Scripture References: (NKJV)
Acts 22:3 - “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia...
Acts 21:27-29 - ...he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”...
Acts 21:30-32 - ...and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple...
Acts 21:40 - ...he spoke to them in the Hebrew language...
Acts 22:21-22 - ...“Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!"
Acts 23:21 - ...they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him...
Acts 23:23-24 - ...and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
Acts 24:25-27 - ...he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul...
Acts 25:9 - ...go up to Jerusalem and there be judged...
Acts 27:1 - ...they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius...
Acts 27:3 - ...and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care
Acts 27:9-11 - ...sailing was now dangerous
Acts 27:27 - Now when the fourteenth night had come...
Acts 27:22-24 - And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you...
Acts 27:41 - ...the stern was being broken up by the violence of the wave
Acts 28:1-2 - ...they kindled a fire and made us all welcome
Acts 28:3,5 - ...a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand ... But he shook off the creature...
Acts 28:8 - ...he laid his hands on him and healed him
Acts 28:9 - ...who had diseases also came and were healed
Matt 10:18 - You will be brought before governors and kings...
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