Acts 27 - Summary

Starting point of the church at Pentecost

Base for Gentile mission

Destination of Paul and the gospel

Thessalonica was a major city in Macedonia where Paul established a church during his second missionary journey. Though forced to leave after only three weeks due to persecution, the church flourished. Paul wrote two letters to the Thessalonians, addressing concerns about Christ's return and encouraging them in their faith and conduct.

Sidon was an ancient Phoenician port city, often mentioned with its sister city Tyre. Queen Jezebel was a Sidonian princess. Jesus visited the region and healed the daughter of a Syrophoenician woman. Sidon was known for its skilled craftsmen and maritime trade. Paul stopped briefly in Sidon on his voyage to Rome.

Cyprus is a large island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. It was the home of Barnabas and an early destination for Christian missionaries. Paul and Barnabas began their first missionary journey here. The proconsul Sergius Paulus became a believer when Paul blinded the sorcerer Elymas.

Crete is a large Mediterranean island where Paul left Titus to establish church leadership. The island had a reputation for moral laxity, which Paul references when quoting a Cretan prophet. Paul's ship also passed by Crete during his voyage to Rome before being caught in the storm that led to the shipwreck on Malta.