Acts 18

 Good morning and welcome to Paul's travelogue (Thanks Jack for that!). Today we read of more of Paul's journeys and the continued pressure and resistance that he faced. It is interesting that when we think of Paul, we don't really think of these almost daily riots that happened. We do know of his imprisonments, but the daily things we forget about (and don't preach about). It is certainly evidence of the Holy Spirit working to keep God's movement alive!

Paul leaves Athens and travels south to Corinth, about 45 miles away. Corinth was a major city of the Roman Empire, at an important crossroads of trade and travel; it was also a city notorious for its hedonism and immorality. It was a commercial center with two harbors and a rival to Athens. Corinth was a city with a remarkable reputation for loose living and especially sexual immorality. In classical Greek, to act like a Corinthian was to practice fornication, and a Corinthian companion was a prostitute. This sexual immorality was permitted under the extremely prevalent worship of Aphrodite (also known as Venus, the goddess of fertility and sexuality). In 146 BC, Corinth rebelled against Rome and was brutally destroyed by Roman armies. It lay in ruins for a century, until Julius Caesar rebuilt the city, and it quickly re-established its former position as a center for both trade and immorality of every sort. One ancient writer described Corinth as a town where "none but the tough could survive." Paul knew that because people from all over the Empire passed through Corinth, a strong church there could touch lives all over the Empire.  He knew Corinth was a tough city, but he wasn't only interested in planting churches where he thought it would be easy! When we plant churches- do we have these thoughts in mind? What was the area that your home church is located like when the church was established?

Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla, fellow tent-makers. It is believed that these two were Christians prior to Paul's arrival. They moved from Pontus to Corinth when Caludius essentially kicked the Jews out for being too rowdy and disorderly (approximately 49AD).

Paul goes to the synagogue (v 4) and teaches those that would listen. The Greeks that were there were Gentiles interested in and sympathetic with Judaism. Timothy and Silas join wit Paul and report on the success of the church in Thessalonica. This only motives Paul more! We like to receive good news on the success of our ministries too!

Dissension rears its ugly head-- again! Paul is chastised for his blasphemy (v 6)- because Paul was preaching Jesus as the Messiah. Paul then says, "OK- forget it- if you don't want to hear this message, then I will go to people who do want to hear it." (My translation!) Paul moves from the Jews to the Gentiles (v 6) and preaches from Titius Justus' home. We don't know much about this man- but he was a Christian, probably Gentile, and Paul used his house because it was right next to the synagogue, so any Jews could come if they wanted. Paul probably still stayed at the home of Aquila and Priscilla. I find it interesting that the synagogue leader, Crispus, was a believer in God and he and his entire household were baptized by Paul (v 8)!

I love the comforting words in Paul's vision- "Do not be afraid, I am with you! Keep doing the work you need to do!" (v 9). Oh how we need to hear these words at times! Ministry is sometimes such an exhausting profession and we wonder if we are dong the right things! Paul was in Corinth a year and a half, which seems to be longer than in any other city where he founded a church. Paul was a man committed to making disciples! So many times, we try a program one time (or an event one time) and it doesn't work and we ditch it. Not Paul!

Troubles continues for Paul as the Roman proconsul of Achaia, Gallio, is brought into the story! The Jews try to convince that Paul is preaching something wrong. Gallio said he has no jurisdiction over religious matter (vv 14-15)  was correct in seeing that the government has no legitimate role in attempting to decide religious matters, though government does have a legitimate role in matters of criminal acts or wrongdoing. In their anger, the angry Gentiles and some Jews beat Sosthenes, the synagogue leader. Gallio looked the other way-- this was an offense he could chime in on though! Commentaries say that when Crispus (we read about him earlier) trusted in Jesus, he was replaced as ruler of the synagogue by Sosthenes - who later himself seems to have become a Christian (1 Corinthians 1). Not sure why Sosthenes got beat up! He didn't have anything to do with it!

Paul eventually leaves Corinth and Aquila and Priscilla go with him (v 18). Paul cuts his hair! The vow was probably the vow of a Nazirite (Numbers 6). Usually, the vow of a Nazirite was taken for a certain period of time, and when completed, the hair (which had been allowed to freely grow) was cut off and offered to the Lord at a special ceremony at the temple in Jerusalem. Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila and travels to Jerusalem; Paul's intention is to travel to Jerusalem to offer this hair in a prescribed ceremony for those who had completed the vow of a Nazirite. While being a Christina, Paul still does hang on to some of his Jewish heritage and promises! Change is hard- a common theme!

He does visit the synagogue in Ephesus and the people try to convince him to stay, but he denies their invitation. He responds that he will come back later (he has to go to Jerusalem for the hair ceremony) Remember (Acts 16:6) that Pal wanted to go their earlier, but the Holy Spirit rejected that idea! Sometimes the Holy Spirit says "No", sometimes the Holy Spirit says "Wait"

Paul gets to Jerusalem and fulfills his Nazarite vow (v 22). Traveling back to Antioch of Syria concludes Paul's second missionary trip. Paul left for this trip soon after the Jerusalem council debated the role of circumcision for non-Jews converting to Christianity (late Autumn 49AD). He returns to Jerusalem in 52 AD, making this trip approximately 3 years and approximately 3000 miles (half by land, half by sea)!

Paul's third missionary journey begins in the regions of Galatia, Phyrgia, and the city of Ephesus. Paul's passion for building disciples, not merely making converts, is evident again.If Paul were with you, one of the questions he would ask is, "How strong of a disciple are you?"So, how strong of a disciple are you? What can I do to strengthen your walk with God?

Apollos (vv 24- 26) was a man who ministered mightily, yet with limited knowledge. So he was helped by Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus when they took him aside and mentored him. Apollos knew of the work of John the Baptist, so it is likely that he preached that the Messiah had come and we must respond to him, but he probably had little knowledge of the full person and work of Jesus Christ. Aquila and Priscilla present us with a great model, to mentor and encourage those that are weak in faith but strong in passion. Do we have good mentoring programs in our churches?

Apollos goes to Corinth (v 27) and with letters of reference from the church in Ephesus,is accepted as a teacher.  Apollos ministered effectively in Achaia (Corinth), especially among opposing Jews. Due to his knowledge and fervor for the Spirit, there are some that believe he was the author of Hebrews!

Paul goes to Ephesus tomorrow- and runs into trouble (surprise!).

Have a great day and enjoy the sunshine!!

Shalom+
Pastor Paul