ACTS  18

1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus,  who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see him,

3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade the Jews andGreeks.

 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusely to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

6 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.

 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus a worshiper of God.

 8 Crispus the synagogue ruler and his entire family believed in the Lord and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid keep on speaking do not be silent.

10 For I am with you and no one is going to attack or  harm you, because I have many people in this city.

11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court.

13 This man they charged, is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, 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.

15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law settle the matter yourselves I will not be a judge of such things.

16 So he had them ejected from the court.

17 Then they all turned to Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. when he left the brothers sailed for Syria, accompioned by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.

19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.

21 But as he left he promised, I will come back if it is Gods will. Then he set sail from Ephesus.

 22 When he landed at caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to antioch.

23 after spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia strengthening all the disciples.

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexanderia, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man with a through knowledge of the scriptures.

25 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.

26 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 more adequately.

27 Then Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving there he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. Acts 18:19

 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write. These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand  and walks among the seven lampstands. Revelation 2:1

GUARANTEED SAFETY

 Thomas J. Grace

1 Paul leaves Athens the city where idol worship was studied and taught all over the city and arrives in Corinth where idol worship takes place in some of the largest and most sinful temples of the world.  2 Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla  who had came from Rome because Claudius the Roman emperor had ordered all Jews to depart from Rome. 

     3 Aquila was a Jew and also a tentmaker as was Paul he stayed with them and they worked together.  4 Paul would go to the synagogue where he would debate and tried to persuade the Jews and the Greeks to believe in Jesus.  5 Silas and Timothy arrive and meet Paul who now had dedicated himself to preach and testify to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ as he dearly loved his own people. Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race the people of Israel.  We see his devotion to his own people and his love for the people of Israel. 

      It might have been that as Paul saw all the idols and people so far away from God in Athens that it drove him to reach his own people. He might have thought that he and the other apostles might be the last generation to reach the Jews before Christ returns. As he saw the Gentile church growing faster than the Jews would believe he did not want his people to loose their opportunity to know Jesus as their Savior. Paul also had another reason to be zealous for the Jews to believe Romans 11: 15 For if their rejection is the reconcilation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead.  also Romans 11:12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles how much greater riches will their fullness bring. He would believe that by reaching the Jews first Gods love  and provision would be greater for all who believe for both Jews and for Gentiles.

      Paul may at this time assumed  for himself the watchman position he would have known from Ezekiel 3: 17-19 Son of man I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from Me. When I say to a wicked man, You will surely die, and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedmess, or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself. Paul would realize his position of accountability for these  souls and would preach to all who would listen both Jews and Gentiles  as the watchman of their souls and his also.

      6 The Jews opposed Paul and became abusive  he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them. Your blood be on your heads I am clear of my responsibility. Paul does here seem to understand the duty of the watchman and wants others to see it domonstrated that he has preached to the Jews who have rejected his teaching and Christ as their Savior. Once again Paul is rejected by his own people and persecution begins at the synagogue where it was his only desire to bring salvation to his brothers.

      Paul shakes his clothes in front of the Jews as a sign to them that he is finished with them and has done all he could do for them. In Matthew 10:14 Jesus tells the apostles he has sent out to shake the dust off your feet as a testimony to a town that would not welcome them which might be done out of town with no  unbelievers present. This would be a sign in front of those who rejected Christ and did not believe. In Acts 13:46 Paul states there Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. These same conditions have repeated themselves once again in Acts 13:51 Paul does shake the dust off his feet in protest against them but here he feels he must make a public statement to the Jews before he resumes the ministry to the Gentiles. So we learn from the words of Jesus and the acts of Paul there is a limit of abuse and danger that you can allow yourself to be in after you have properly presented the gospel and it has been rejected and there is reason to believe you will no longer be heard and will soon be harmed you have discharged your duty to those people.

     7 Paul leaves the synagogue and goes next door to be with Titus Justus a worshipper of God not the same as Titus who Paul later writes to and he refers to many times. He was a Roman who might have been able to protect Paul from the crowd that may soon come to attack him. 8 Crispus the synagogue ruler and his whole family believed in the Lord which would leave the synagogue without a leader to cause trouble for Paul and Silas and many other of the Corinthians believed and were baptized in water.  Paul also did baptize Crispus 1 Corinthians 1:14. Although the synagogue would not hear Paul again the people in the city became aware of the teaching of Paul and the work of the Lord.

      Paul would seek people to spread the gospel to among the Romans Greeks and Gentiles in the city just as he would for the Jews with compassion for all who would listen and believe. 9 Paul has a vision and Jesus speaks to him Do not be afraid keep on speaking do not be silent. 10 For I am with you,  and no one is going to attack you, or harm you, because I have many people in this city.  We see that just as Paul is about to begin his longest ministry to the Gentiles Jesus speaks. In Acts 9: 15 Jesus speaking to Ananias says Go! This is My choosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 

      In Acts 10 Jesus speaks to Peter about his journey to the home of Cornelius which begins the ministry to the Gentiles. So we notice now three times to encourage the work of these men for the Gentiles being supported by a vision and a message from Jesus.  No harm will come to you he had his life and safety guaranteed by Jesus what kind of fearless boldness must this have produced in Paul who already was willing to risk his life for Christ. Such a bold and certain Spirit must have been noticed by Silas and Timothy and all Paul spoke to about Christ. With no danger to fear he could with great courage face and even condemm the actions of the idol temple people who would oppose him fiercely.

      In Corinth Paul would face the hardcore temple idol worshippers, they would not be like the friendly Gentiles that went to the synagogue to pray and learn scriptures about God. In Corinth at the temple there were one thousand women there for sexual immorality as a form of worship to the goddess Venus. Sacrifices of human life were common as part of there worship.   Paul will remain for one and a half years in Corinth where many will become Christians as we see and read evidence of this when Paul writes two letters to the church in Corinth. 

      12 The proconsul Gallio was approached by the Jews  who attacked Paul and brought him into the court. 13  They charged Paul with having people worship God that is different from their law they had heard that Paul was released each time he was accused of a crime of calling Jesus a king and thought they might win based on their own law if this could be explained to Gallio.

     14 Juat as Paul was about to speak and defend himself a testimony that might have won more believers in the court he was stopped. Paul still felt the safety of the Lord and was willing to declare the gospel to the proconsul. Gallio speaks to the Jews and states this is not a crime you are accuseing Paul of according to the law of this court. 15 Gallio states this is your own matter concerning your own religion and you must settle this privately it is not the business of the court. Paul is denied his opportunity to speak to Gallio and the court but this is the first time any Christian is released from the court or charges without any punishment or threats or request that he leave the city. 16 Gallio ejected them from the court.

     17 Then the crowd outside took Sosthenes  the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. They may have been some of the Jews who came there in hope of beating Paul or some Greeks that the synagogue ruler  may had brought to testify against Paul by saying they heard Paul speak against what the synagogue was teaching.  False witmesses were a favorite courtroom tactic for the Jews who were falsely accuseing Paul and Jesus and others.  The crowd was controlled by the Jews who beat Sosthenes and would not obey Paul when he pleaded with them to stop. Gallio showed no concern that the mob was beating Sosthenes but maybe Paul who was beaten many times stayed to assist and aid the beaten man. 

      Paul would have compassion on his enemy help him with his wounds and bring him to a safe place. This would be a time to speak to him about Christ and he may have become the second time the ruler of this synagogue became a Christian. 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes. Paul would not call him brother if he was not a Christian believer, Paul loved his enemy who was ready to bring false charges against him just as he would later write and as Jesus had taught. Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. Luke 6:27 But I tell you who hear Me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. It is well to love your enemies but Paul was able to rescue this man his enemy and turn him into a brother. 

     18  Paul remained in Corinth now with two former synagogue rulers as believers Crispus and Sosthenes who would be able to be strong witnesses to many of the other Jews in the synagogue while Paul will spend his time ministering to the Gentiles. Paul leaves Corinth with Priscilla and Aquila and go to Syria and he would sail to Ephesus. Before he left Syria Paul had made a vow and had his hair cut off. This may have been a Nazarite vow Numbers 6:5 During the entire period of this vow of seperation no razor may be used on his head until the period of his seperation to the Lord is over; he must let the hair on his head grow long. This vow must have been complete just as he believed his service in Corinth was complete. It is interesting that Paul still follows parts of the old testament the vow is not law but is practiced as described by Moses. It is a vow of your own promise to God and by obeying the vow rules you demonstrate your willing sacrifice and willingness to obey God.

     19 Paul arrives in Ephesus and goes to the synagogue in Corinth he was rejected from the synagogue and said because you have rejected Christ I will go to the Gentiles but in each new city he will again begin in the synagogue in spite of how he is treated in each synagogue in the past. Priscilla and Aquila will remain in Ephesus when Paul leaves but first he will reason with the Jews in the synagogue. 20 Paul was invited to remain in Ephesus but he declined. Paul would have known many Gentiles before he began his ministry must have discovered in Corinth and now briefly in Ephesus that the greater difference between some Gentiles and heathens.

     The false worship of idols and their sinful ways of life must have overcome all of the apostles and would cause them to spend many days in prayer and cause them to seek fellowship and unity among other Christians and a trip to Jerusalem would be a retreat to encourage and strenthen them. 21 KJV But I bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 

     Of course as part of Pauls vow it was necessary to return to Jerusalem to make a sacrifice at the end of the vow. We have already learned that Paul would return to Jerusalem during the Passover and would be with the church there for feast whenever possible. Paul would visit James and any other apostles that might still be in Jerusalem it is most likely that Paul would have a collection of money and food and other supplies donated for the Jerusalem church. Paul may have spent the feast time with his sister and nephew Acts 23:16 But when the son of Pauls sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. 

     22 Paul also visited Csesarea where he greeted the church and then went to Antioch. 23 Paul is traveling to visit all the churches he has began in Galatia and Phrygia to strenthen all the disciples. He  would in these churches hear about other visits from Barnabas and Mark and would be pleased to hear of all their good work. he would have left some messages there to encourage them also in their work. The letter to the Galatians would have already been written and Paul might have rewiewed that letter with the church and asked them to share this letter with Barnabas and Mark who may have already have read it.

     24 Back  in Ephesus Priscilla and Aquila are still there and about to meet a new worker named Apollos. Apollos a native of Alexanderia he was a educated man with knowledge of the scripture.  25 Apollos was a strong speaker who did know the Lord and was a good teacher about Jesus but he only knew the baptism of John.  We do not know where he learned about Christ was it by some of Johns disciples or some that left Jerusalem during Christ resurrection but before the day of Pentecost. He may have began his learning about Christ back in Egypt and learned more as he would visit Jerusalem for some feast times.  26 Apolos went to the synagogue to speak he may not have spoke to any Gentiles so far but did as Paul would have done and went to the Jews first. Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak and recognized him as a believer and brought him home with them. There they would explain the way of God more adequately. They would tell Apollos all the facts about the death and resurrection and how Christ ascended to be with the Father in heaven. They spoke about the day of Pentecost and the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how Peter had begun the ministry to the Gentiles at the home of the Cornelius. .  27 When his training was complete with Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos desired to leave for Achaia he was given a letter to introduce him to the church there. He was a great help to all the believers. 1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted the seed Apollos watered it but God made it grow. We learn the lesson of follow up to train and educate new believers and learn how churches would depend on these frequent visitors to help them solve problems, bring them news and enforce many things they have learned. 28 Apollos debated the Jews just as Paul loved to do and each time proved by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.  He must have been wise to dispute with the Jews in the synagogue and he must have been persecuted and harassed just as Paul had been many times.

CHRIST LOVES YOU. AMEN. COME LORD JESUS