Acts 18- Church of Corinth

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After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. Acts 18:1-4

In this Chapter we see when Paul established the Church of Corinth, this is where we get the Epistles of 1rst and 2nd Corinthians. Again we see another large Jewish population because they were kicked out of Rome. We also see a large Greek pagan population, so Paul has his work cut out for him. 

Another thing we notice is Paul is a tentmaker for an occupation, this is how he bonded with Priscilla and Aquila. Paul worked this occupation so he didnt burden the Churches with financially supporting him, although some of the Churches did financially support him when possible. Brings up the topic, should Pastors be bi-vocational? Regardless Paul was very busy working his ministry and occupation as a tentmaker, not much time for feeling sorry for himself

And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. Acts 18:5-7

Paul preached to the Orthodox Jews every Sabbath, showing to them in the scriptures that Jesus Is the Messiah. However the Jews rejected Christ and Paul had enough he said “Your blood be upon your own heads” The Jews received the gospel of Christ yet rejected it, as Jesus said “Shake the dust off your feet and move on”. Paul declared he is now going to the Gentiles to preach the gospel

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Acts 18:8-11

Paul labored in Corinth for a year and a half, and Jesus gave Paul some words of encouragement “Be not afraid, keep on preaching, don’t be silent” These words should be great encouragement for us also! After toiling Paul had success and many people came to Christ

Remember the words of our Lord, Don’t be afraid, Keep preaching the gospel in Jesus name Amen!

Acts 17- The Birth of Apologetics

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Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. Acts 17:16-20

Apologetics has become a popular tool for ministry today, but Apologetics is not a new strategy or concept, in fact Paul used the same strategy in his ministry. While evangelizing to Greek philosophers and Jewish religious leaders, Paul used logic and reasoning based on their worldview. This is exactly what Apologetics is, using logic and reasoning to show God exists and that Christianity is true

Notice these philosophers heard of Jesus and the resurrection, but they didn’t understand how this fit into their worldview. Often Apologetics, when done correctly, creates a pathway to the gospel of Christ. And we are going to see how Paul accomplished this by explaining there is one true God and the resurrection of Christ is the evidence that Christianity is true

(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Acts 17:21-24

The Greeks worshipped many gods, including an unknown god , in case they accidently missed one. Paul pointed out their error as there is only one true living God. And the true living God does not live in temples or statues made by human hands. Next you will see how Paul builds a bridge to the gospel through this strategy

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31

Paul explained God has commanded everyone to come to repentance and affirmed He is the true living God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Remember the resurrection is the central theme of Christianity and our faith, if Christ wasn’t raised from the dead, then our faith is worthless

Good Apologetics should always lead to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Build a case for God then lead them to Jesus Amen!

Acts 17- Paul preaches at Thessalonica

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Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.  Acts 17:1-4

Here we see Paul and Silas preaching in the city of Thessalonica, you might be familiar with this Church from the books of 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians, this is where it all began. Its very cool to be able to read the fruits of Paul and Silas labor in these books from the mission trip. What did they preach to Thessalonica, simply the gospel, Christ died, Christ is Risen, and Christ will come again

The city of Thessalonica had a large Jewish population as well as Greek. Paul reasoned with them through the Messianic scriptures in the Old Testament. The Church of Thessalonica was composed of Jew and Gentile including some prominent women of the city. 

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.  Acts 17:5-7

Of course anywhere the gospel is preached, there is going to be resistance. The Orthodox Jews created an uprising against Paul and Silas. Its interesting , even though the Jews were persecuted by Caesar, they used Caesar to persecute the Christians. Of course Paul and Silas declared Jesus Is Lord and not Caesar! As we know the persecution of this Church only makes it grow!

And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. Acts 17:8-9

As we’ve seen throughout Paul’s ministry, just when it seems like its the end, God delivers him again. Jason and others bail Paul and Silas out of jail and rescue them. Of course this is God’s sovereignty as he has bigger plans for Paul yet and the Church!

Doesn’t matter who is president , king , or ruler of your country, Jesus is always King of Kings! Stay faithful to God, because He will never leave or forsake us, Amen!

Acts 16- The Jailer

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And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Acts 16:27-30

We always hear the term “God will use what was meant for our harm, and use it for our good” (Romans 8:28) Here we see this happen, as Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for preaching the gospel. But God delivered Paul and Silas from prison with a great earthquake, this turned into a great testimony for non believers

The jailer who was in charge of watching Paul and Silas, was ready to kill himself for letting them escape. However Paul revealed to the jailer that he was alive and well, the jailer had a “Come to Jesus moment” when he realized God was in control. The jailer then asked “What must I do to be saved”? This is a great question, would you know how to answer the jailer? 

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. Acts 16:31-34

You want to be saved? Simple, believe Jesus is your Lord! Many people throughout history try to earn their salvation by good works or religion, but its only Christ alone that can save you! Jesus paid it all for you on the cross, put your faith in Christ! Notice Paul then preached the gospel to the entire household and they all believed and were baptized

So notice Paul and Silas’ suffering resulted in an entire family being saved by Christ. Sometimes we ask “Why would God allow this”? But then we see situations like this where what was meant for our harm actually was used for our good. Many people became saved due to Paul and Silas suffering

And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go. And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. Acts 16:35-36

God was with Paul and Silas, even when Satan thought he had them defeated, God is in complete control. Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in Jesus Name Amen!

Acts 16- Rebuking Demons

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And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour Acts 16:16-18

Here we see a story of a demon possessed woman who was tormenting Paul and Silas day after day. Finally Paul got tired of it and rebuked the demon in the name of Jesus , and the demon immediately fled. How many of us are tormented by demons on a daily basis? Do you rebuke your demons? Instead of allowing these demons to torment you daily, put them in their place. You as a Born Again Child of God have the power and authority of demons. Jesus said “He gives us power and authority over power of Satan, and all demons will submit to you” (Luke 10:18-19) 

Now some will say Jesus only gave this power to the Apostles, however if you start with verse 1 in Luke 10, Jesus is sending out 72 disciples with this authority, this authority was given to his disciples not just Apostles. Remember the Bible says “The Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is living inside of You “ (Romans 8:11) The Holy Spirit , the power of the Living God, is inside of you. Rebuke the demons in Jesus name!

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. Acts 16:19-22

Now we see the wickedness of people, some would say “Look Paul and Silas are being persecuted, we dont have authority over demons” Jesus never promised we would have an easy life, in fact he taught us the opposite, Jesus said “Those who endure to the end, will be saved “ (Matthew 24:13) Why? Because many will fall away from the faith during hard times. Endure to the end, Jesus has already death and Satan!

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. Acts 16:23-26

Paul and Silas were being persecuted, beaten and thrown in prison, what was their response? They were singing hymns and praising God. Paul and Silas had unshakable faith, they knew Jesus is Lord and in complete control. Whatever Satan or evil is coming against you , rebuke it in Jesus name!

Notice then God delivered Paul and Silas with a great earthquake, Satan thought he had Paul defeated then God stepped in. Put your faith and trust in Jesus, he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus is in complete control, sitting at the right hand of God The Father Amen!