PREACHING Saves You-Acts 18

Acts of the Apostles, New Testament, Sermons

“Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.” “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…” (Ac 18:4-5, 9-10a). [God’s Encouragement Saves You.]

Even Paul was discouraged and afraid and needed encouragement (Ac 18:9). It’s easy to become discouraged and disheartened, even depressed when things are not going well in ministry. When people leave the church or blame you, you begin to doubt, despair and question what you’re doing or if you’re any good. [In Paul’s case, some wanted to kill him!] It is estimated that 1 in 5 pastors [18%] suffer from depression to some degree, 2 in 5 pastors [38%] consider quitting full time ministry [45% of pastors <45 consider quitting full time ministry, 35% of pastors >45 consider quitting], and about 250 pastors leave the ministry each month. [COVID-19 is also costly. Many pastors resigned during or right after COVID-19. Others, sadly, were fired. Thus, many decided that the pastorate isn’t for them. Now, the U.S. is short of pastors with many churches unable to find a viable one. Seminaries aren’t turning out graduates committed to leading local congregations.] {Just 16% of Americans surveyed said religion is the most important thing in their lives, according to the PRRI study [Public Religion Research Institute], down from 20% a decade ago.} What do you do when you are disheartened and discouraged? 
How to face and deal with discouragement:
  1. Expect to face fear and discouragement (Ac 18:9).
  2. Then loosen up and lean on God (Prov 3:5-6).
  3. Couples work together for Christ (Ac 18:26).
  4. Mentor, disciple, shepherd another (Ac 18:26).
  5. Learn exclusive devotion to reason/ teach/preach the gospel from Scripture (Acts 18:4-5; 17:2, 17): “Keep on speaking, do not be silent” (Ac 18:9).
Keep on speaking [Corinth]: Retention from listening (25-50%), reading (50-70%) and teaching (90%).
  1. What Paul does: Always reasoning, persuading, preaching, testifying, speaking(Ac 18:4-5, 11, 19; 17:3).
  2. What Paul encounters: Expects opposition, jealousy, violence, ridicule, misunderstanding (Ac 18:6; 13:8, 45, 50; 14:2, 5, 19; 16:19-24; 17:5, 13, 18, 20, 32).
  3. What Paul needs: Encouragement.
    1. From God (Ac 18:9-11).
    2. From outsiders occasionally (12-17): Charges against Paul dismissed by Gallio’s speech.
    3. From strategizing (18-23): Paul leaves Corinth, leaves Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus and returns to Syria.
    4. From co-workers, colleagues and comrades in Christ (24-28): Priscilla and Aquila explain to Apollos more about Jesus.

Questions:

  1. What do we know about Corinth (Ac 18:1)? Who did Paul meet and what do we know about them (Ac 18:2-3, 18-19, 26; Rom 16:3-4; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19; Mt 19:6; Mk 10:9)?
  2. What did Paul do (Ac 18:4-5, 19; 17:2-3, 17)? How did Paul respond to his abusers (Ac 18:6)? Why (Mt 7:6)? What did he then do and with what result (Ac 18:7-8)?
  3. Why was Paul afraid (Ac 18:9, 6; 16:23; 13:19)? How did the Lord encourage him (Ac 18:9-10; 2 Cor 1:3-4; Mt 28:20)? What did he do (Ac 18:11, 18)?
  4. What did the Jews accuse Paul of (Ac 18:12-13)? Is that true? Why did Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, dismiss their accusation (Ac 18:14-16)? How did the crowd react (Ac 18:17)? What became of Sosthenes (1 Cor 1:1-2)?
  5. Why did Paul make a vow after leaving Corinth (Ac 18:18; Num 6:2-5, 8, 13, 18, 21)? What might Paul’s vow be (Ac 21:24)? Should Christians make vows (Mt 5:33, 37)? Where did Paul go (Ac 18:19-23)? How long were these journeys? How can you tell whether “if it is God’s will” (Ac 18:21) or your own will (Jas 4:13, 15-16; Mt 26:39; Mk 14:36; Lk 22:42)?
  6. What were Apollos‘ attributes and gifts (Ac 18:24-26)? What are yours? Can you develop them (Rom 12:11; Heb 10:25; 1 Tim 4:7; 2 Tim 1:6; 2:15)?
    • Though he had “a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures” and “taught about Jesus accurately,” what did he lack (Ac 18:24-25)? How did Priscilla and Aquila help him (Ac 18:26)? What might you lack/help that you may need?
    • What did he do after he learned more about Jesus (Ac 18:27-28)? How important was he for the church (1 Cor 3:6; 16:12; Tit 3:13)?
  7. What does Acts 18 teach us about evangelism, encouragement, persecution, perseverance and gifting in spreading the gospel?
  • Acts 18 shows us the importance of sharing the gospel even in the face of opposition, and the need to trust in God’s protection and provision. It also illustrates the value of working together in ministry and learning from others who can teach us more about Jesus.

Paul journeyed on alone to Corinth (Ac 18:1; early 50s AD), sharing the gospel in major cities in the Empire, esp. Roman colony cities. Corinth and Ephesus were the 2 most imp. cities visited by Paul, as he stayed in each for a considerable period to establish churches which would then evangelize the surrounding areas.

Corinth is the other major city of the province of Achaia [with Athens]. Corinth–a thriving commercial center of about 100,000 [up to 300,000] was well on the way to becoming the largest, most prosperous city in Greece when Paul visited–is the final city that ends this 2nd missionary journey. It was at the crossroads between the eastern and western portions of the Mediterranean, having ports on either side of the Isthmus of Corinth, and between the northern and southern regions of Greece. It was also the chief sponsoring city of the Isthmian Games, bringing travellers biennially, many of whom would be needing tents while they stayed for the games.
Priscilla and Aquila:
  •  They supported themselves as tentmakers (Ac 18:3).
  • They always worked as a couple (Gen 2:24; Mt 19:6; Mk 10:9).
  • They travelled extensively with Paul.
  • Of the 6 times mentioned (Ac 18:2-3, 18-19, 26; Rom 16:3-4; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19), Priscilla is listed 1st 4 times.
  • The Bible never speaks of Paul’s ministry to them, only their ministry to him (Rom 16:3-5).
Though it became the center of church life for Achaia, it became the thorn in Paul’s side, giving him an enormous number of headaches due to their opposition to him and secular approach to church life. Paul spent about 18 months there in AD 50-51 (Ac 18:11). [Nero came to the throne in AD 54.]
  1. Paul in Corinth (18:1-17). The Word in Corinth. A year and a half in Corinth (Ac 18:11).
    1. Paul speaks in the Corinthian synagogue (18:1-4). Paul stays with fellow tent-makers [leather] Aquila and Priscilla. Jews together in Corinth.
    2. Paul is rejected and turns to the Gentiles (18:5-8). A new center for ministry.
    3. Paul receives an encouraging vision (18:9-11).
    4. Paul appears before the proconsul Gallio (18:12-17). Paul is vindicated by Roman law. Christianity declared legal in Achea. Jews and Christians in public dispute.
  2. Paul travels to/visits Ephesus, Jerusalem and Antioch (18:18-23). Completion of the 2nd missionary journey. Paul’s departure from Corinth. Paul in transit. Paul’s journey to Caesarea and Antioch (18:22); travelled to Galatia and Phrygia (18:23).
  3. The Word Ephesus (18:23-20:38).
    • Priscilla, Aquila and Apolos in Ephesus (18:24-28). The arrival of Apollos.
    • Paul in Ephesus (19:1-41).
References:
  1. Osborne, Grant. Acts. Verse by Verse. 2019. Mission in Corinth and aftermath (18:1-22).
  2. Witherington III, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles. A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. 1998. Congregating at Corinth (18:1-23).
  3. Stott, John. The Message of Acts. 1990. Through the Bible through the year, Daily reflections from Genesis to Revelation. 2006. The Apostle to the Gentiles (13:1-21:17). Corinth and Ephesus (18:1-19:41).
  4. Peterson, David G. The Acts of the Apostles. The Pillar NT commentary. 2009.
    1. The Word in Corinth (18:1-17).
    2. Completion of the 2nd missionary journey (18:18-22).
    3. Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos in Ephesus (18:23-28).
  5. Marshall, I. Howard. Acts. Tyndale NT commentaries (TNTC). 1980. 
  6. Wright, N.T. Acts for Everyone, Part 2. Chapters 13-28. 2008.
ChatGPT: In Acts 18 we learn several important lessons for our own lives as Christians.
  1. Be willing to work with others in sharing the gospel. Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla, using their shared profession to connect with the people of Corinth. We too should be willing to work with others to share the gospel, whether it be through our jobs, hobbies, or other interests.
  2. Perseverance in the face of opposition. Paul faced persecution and opposition from the Jews in Corinth, but he did not give up. He continued to share the gospel and build up the church. We too may face opposition and persecution for our faith, but we must remain steadfast and continue to share the love and truth of Christ.
  3. Be faithful in the small things. Paul was a tentmaker, and he used his skills to support himself and his ministry. We too should be faithful in whatever tasks God has given us, whether big or small, and use them for His glory.
  4. Finally, the power of the gospel to transform lives. Many people in Corinth believed in the Lord and were baptized, despite the city’s reputation for immorality and debauchery. The gospel has the power to change hearts and lives, no matter where we are or what our circumstances may be.

In conclusion, Acts 18 teaches us the importance of

  1. working with others,
  2. perseverance in the face of opposition,
  3. faithfulness in the small things, and
  4. the power of the gospel to transform lives.
Be encouraged by the example of Paul and the early Christians as we seek to live out our faith and share the love and truth of Christ with others.
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