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In spite of this, however, the apostle replies with his whole soul:
`I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I
am, except these bonds' (Acts 26:29).
Agrippa's verdict was that nothing worthy of death or of bonds could be laid to Paul's charge, and that if he had
not appealed to Cęsar, he might have been given his freedom. How Festus framed his letter we do not know, but it
is certain that there could have been no specific charge against the apostle according to Roman law.
From Cęsarea to Melita (Acts 27)
The record of the voyage, shipwreck and arrival at Rome which occupies so much space in the closing section of
the Acts is perhaps the most wonderful record of travel that has been preserved from ancient times. Since 1856, no
writer on the subject can ignore the volume entitled: On the Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul, with Dissertations by
James Smith. All writers of note, such as Conybeare and Howson, Lewin, Alford, and Farrar, who have had the
twenty-seventh chapter of the Acts before them, have given unstinted praise to this writer. In addition, Conybeare
and Howson had the help of Admiral Sir Charles Penrose, whose notes on the narrative make Luke's record, owing
to the exactness of his nautical references and the breadth of his knowledge, little short of a miracle were the record
but the figment of his imagination.
Independent research is commendable, and originality, where it is unaffected, is charming, but any attempt on
our part to write on Acts 27 without reference to these technical treatises would be folly. Moreover, while it is
impracticable to smother our pages with quotation marks, it would be a waste of good material to attempt avoidance
of the use of the language of those who have made the subject their own. Like all writers since 1856 we are
indebted to James Smith, and with this introduction and recognition let us open the book at Acts 27 and learn its
lessons.
Paul was not the only prisoner who was to be delivered to Rome, and Julius, a centurion of the Augustin cohort,
whose duty it was to see his charges safely to Rome in the shortest time, finding a trading vessel of Adramyttium
about to sail by the coast of Asia, embarked with his men and prisoners and the eventful voyage commenced. Few
Biblical maps show Adramyttium, but the reader would do well to acquaint himself with this as with every detail of
this momentous voyage. This sea-port is on the coast of Mysia, opposite Mitylene, not far from Pergamos and
Troas. It will be seen that such a port would well serve the centurion's purpose. Paul was courteously treated and,
at the end of the first day's sail, permitted to land at Sidon `to go unto his friends to refresh himself'. The wind that
had enabled them to cover this 67 miles, now changed, and they `sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were
contrary'. To a landsman, `sailing under Cyprus' suggests the south side of the island. The truer translation is
`under the lee', and, in the case in point, this was the north side, for the record continues: `And when we had sailed
over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia'. One glance at the map will confirm this
rendering and fix the route.
Myra, is practically due north of Alexandria in Egypt, and with the prevailing wind, it was not strange that a
grain ship from Alexandria should be found so far off the straight course to Rome. Seizing the opportunity thus
presented, the centurion transferred his living freight, and the ship started on its journey to Rome.
`And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering
us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone' (Acts 27:7).
Let us be sure that we know the geography of this verse. Cnidus is the last point of land that would afford
protection from the prevailing wind, and will be found on the extreme corner of Asia Minor, before the coast turns
north. Seeing that the ship could neither enter Cnidus, nor hold on its way along the north shore of Crete, the course
was changed, so that she passed round Salome, to the lee of the island. `Hardly passing it' shows that the winds
were still contrary, and the navigator was therefore forced to begin to think of finding a harbour commodious
enough to winter in. Fair Havens was reached, and for some time the ship waited for a change in the weather.