I. INTRODUCTION
A. The voyage from Caesarea to Rome was long, tedious, and dangerous. It would generally take months and depend on changing winds and the ability to find safe harbors during the seasons of dangerous weather.
B. The only thing that distinguishes this voyage from thousands of others made during these ancient times is the presence of the Apostle Paul on board. We are interested in the calmness he displayed in the midst of danger, his confidence in God, and his assurance that he would be brought safely to Rome, (Acts 23:11; 27:23-25).
C. God would only save the ship's company if every man remained on board, (Acts 27:31). The point to be made here (and throughout this lesson) is that God often employs human agency to carry out His will. The sailors were needed on board to bring the ship as close to land as possible so that all could make it to shore safely, (Acts 27:44).
D. To put our point in even stronger language: the plans and purposes of God for man are dependent on the participation of man. This dependency can be seen in:
1. God's plan for man's salvation,
2. and how that plan is to be accomplished through human agency.
II. DISCUSSION
A. God's plan for man's salvation
1. First, we must see that such a plan exists. This can be seen from such passages as: Isa. 53:11 Christ's sacrifice would not be in vain; Jn. 6:37 His people would come to Him; Jn. 10:15,16; Eph. 1:4-11 There are a class of people that will be saved, if they meet the conditions set forth in the plan.
a. The success of this plan was not left to chance, but to choice. The coming of Christ was not an experiment that might redeem mankind.
b. The plan is eternal the church-age is not a stop-gap measure to carry us to a millennium. God has had this plan in place from before time. Man can be saved through obedience to Christ's Gospel and membership in His kingdom (the church).
c. Since it is God's plan it is the right plan.
2. The plan of God is specific and particular it outlines who can be saved and how they can be saved. Just as all that remained on board the ship were saved from physical death, so will all that remain under the authority of Christ be saved from spiritual death.
a. While men's plans are often formed on uncertainties, God's plan is based on his infinite knowledge, unlimited power, and immeasurable will.
b. God needs no contingency plan, because His plan is definite and certain.
c. Scripture points to the certainty of God's plan concerning: "the elect of God, (Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 1:2; Mt. 24:22,31; Rom. 9:11,12,15,16); salvation of the innocent and obedient (Phil. 1:6; Mt. 18:14; Jn. 10:27-29;17:24; Rom. 8:29,30); and possibility of apostasy (Acts 1:25; 1Jn. 2:19; Mt. 13:21).
B. God's plan for man's salvation is to be carried out through human agency.
1. God at times has used his absolute and independent power to accomplish His purposes. Some good examples are: the creation of the world, the formulation of the plan of salvation, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. These things were accomplished by the Godhood alone, without the instrumentality of means. That is to say,God did not need man's participation.
2. However, God's ordinary method of working in the affair's of men is through men. The salvation of the men on the ship depended on all remaining on board. Needless to say, if they had been allowed to leave the ship, all would have been lost. In secular matters, God expects man to work to clothe, feed, and shelter himself and his family. God could provide all of these things directly to man, but He has chosen for man to provide for himself in these areas. In religion God has chosen a similar manner of working. He could inspire each man individually, making His will known by miracles to each generation, but instead He has chosen "the foolishness of the message preached." God does not save us by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit, but through His grace bestowed on those who will hear, believe, repent, be baptized, and walk according to His precepts. While our own efforts will not save us, our lack of effort will cause us to be lost!
a. This doctrine of God's plan being implemented through man should lead everyone of us to an active, energetic pursuit of the Truth. The false doctrine of "those saved are fixed by God and our own efforts are needless and worthless" fails to account for the need for man to preach, teach, and obey the Word.
b. We cannot disconnect our hope of salvation from the means of that salvation that God has appointed.
c. Our life on earth is a perilous voyage. Our problems here on earth mimic the problems suffered by Paul, his companions, and the ships company on the voyage to Rome. Yet, in Christ, God has provided a safe harbor, a refuge. While the ship sought to be brought to a safe haven, we must seek to be brought safe to heaven.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. The scriptures listed in Point II.A.2.c are proof texts for false tenets of Calvinism such as: an individual's salvation is predetermined by God and "once saved always saved." How can we use our lesson to defeat these false doctrines?
2. What is God's plan for man's salvation?
3. How are we instruments of God in our own salvation? in the salvation of others?