SACRIPTURE: ACTS 18
IN CORINTH (vs. 1-17)
Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who returned from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. As both Aquila and Paul were tentmakers, Paul stayed and worked with Aquila. Every Sabbath, he preached in the synagogue to persuade Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively in preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” (vs. 6)
Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
One night, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision. “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” (vs. 9-10). So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. They charged Paul for persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law. Then Gallio said to the Jews, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law – settle the matter yourselves. I will not be the judge of such things.” (vs. 14-15). So he had them ejected from the court. Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in fr0ont of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.
PRISCILLA, AQUILA AND APOLLOS (vs. 19-228)
After staying in Corinth for some time, Paul left the brothers and sailed for Syria accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. He cut off his hair at Cenchrea to fulfill a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went to the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. He declined to spend more time with them but he promised to come back if it is God’s will. Then he set sail from Ephesus and landed at Caesarea, he went to greet the church and went down to Antioch. After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out and traveled from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scripture. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God.
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived there, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
THOUGHTS:
Paul worked hard to support himself and his associates in their ministry. He worked because he did not want the unsaved to accuse him of preaching the gospel to make money. How about you? What sacrifice do you make to further the gospel?
“I AM WITH YOU” is a promise God gave to the following:
- Isaac – “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” (Gen. 26:24)
- Jacob – “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to his land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Gen. 28:15)
- Jewish remnants returning from Babylon – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
- Jeremiah – “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:8) . / “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 1:19)
- Jews rebuilding the temple – “Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people, “I am with you.” declares the Lord. (Haggai 1:13) / “Be strong, all you people of the land and work, For I am with you.” declares the Lord Almighty (Haggai 2:4)
- Jesus to us – “And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Corinth was the political and commercial center of Greece, surpassing Athens in importance. It had a reputation for wickedness and immorality. A temple in Aphrodite, goddess of love and war was built on the large hill behind the city. People worshiped the goddess by giving money to the temple and taking part in sexual acts with male and female temple prostitutes. Paul found Corinth a great challenge for his ministry opportunity.
Paul was trained in tentmaking, cutting and sewing the woven cloth of goat’s hair into tents to house soldiers. Paul was able to support his livelihood and carry on his ministry without asking for support.
Apollos was from Alexandria in Egypt who was a scholar, orator and debater. But what he heard was the message of John the Baptist about repentance. He did not know about Jesus’ life, crucifixion, resurrection and the Holy Spirit. When Priscilla and Aquila explained the way of salvation to him, his knowledge about Christ was made more complete. Apollos used reasoning to convince many in Greece of the truth of the Good News. He used his gifts that God had given to strengthen and encourage the church. If you have the ability in logic, use it to bring others to Christ.