International S. S. Lessons

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 21, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 41.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON X.—SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1893.

PAUL SHIPWRECKED.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Acts 27 : 30-44.

And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship.
Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.
Wherefore I beseech you to take some food; for this is for your safety; for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you.
And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat.
Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took food.
And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
And when it was day, they knew not the land; but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it.
And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.
But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the foreship struck and remained unmovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.
And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land.
And the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.

Golden Text.—"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Ps. 46:1.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

What preparations were made for sending Paul to Rome? See note.
At what place did the boat first touch after leaving Cæsarea? and what favor was granted Paul?
Describe the experience of the company after leaving Crete?
Who appeared to Paul? and what comforting assurance was given him?
For how long were the prisoners storm-tossed?
As the ship seemed about to run aground, what did the shipmen prepare to do? Verse 32.
What did Paul say to the centurion? Verse 33.
What was done by the soldiers? Verse 34.
On the fourteenth day what did Paul beseech the voyagers to do? Verses 35, 36.
What did he assure them?
What action accompanied his words? Verse 37.
What effect did his example have on the others?
How many comprised the ship's company? Verse 38.
When day came, what did they find? Verse 39.
What did they decide to do?
How did they prepare for this action? Verse 40.
Give the results of this adventure? Verse 41.
What was the counsel of the soldiers? Verse 41.
Who saved them from this purpose? and why? Verse 42.
What did the centurion command? Verse 43.
How many escaped? Verse 44.

NOTE.

AFTER it was decided to send Paul to Rome, he, with a number of other prisoners, were delivered into the hands of Julius, a centurion, who engaged for the company passage on a boat about to sail for Italy. Sailing northward up the Mediterranean coast, Sidon was the first port entered from Cæsarea. Here Paul enjoyed the entertainment and association of friends. Proceeding on their journey, they passed Cyprus on the south, touching next at the town of Lasea, on the island of Crete. Paul advised that the ship here go into winter quarters, but the harbor not being sufficiently commodious, it was deemed best by those in authority to pass on to Phenice and there winter. From this point the trials of the voyagers began. A fierce windstorm, common to those regions, arose, and the ship was driven wide of its intended course. For fourteen days the boat battled with the wind and waves. To comfort his tempest-tossed children God sent an angel to assure Paul of his protection, and renewed to him the promise that he should stand before Cæsar. The relation of this heavenly vision gave new hope to the ship's company. On the fourteenth night the ship neared land. Continued sounding proved the depth of water to be growing less and less. This occasioned the fright of the shipmen, who, letting down their boats, hoped in them to escape, leaving the others to their fate. At this point in the experience the lesson proper begins.