THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 18, Paul in Corinth, Third Missionary Journey

 

THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 18

Paul in Corinth, Third Missionary Journey.

You may wonder, “what is the point of reading about the Acts of the Apostles and the missionary journeys of Paul?” Is it just for our information or entertainment? What can we possibly gain from reading this book of the Acts? First, The book of Acts is vital to an understanding of the history and foundation of Christianity and the importance of evangelism in establishing it as the foremost religion in the world. The book of Acts makes up a significant portion of the New Testament and serves as a crucial reference point for understanding Paul’s subsequent letters or Epistles. Secondly, the Book of Acts is important because it provides insight into how the apostles spread the message of Jesus and established Christian communities as an example for us, today. It also offers valuable lessons on faith, prayer, and living out the teachings of Jesus in everyday life. But most critically, it demonstrates how Christianity has been under attack from within and from outside and has been pulled or has drifted from its founding principles since its inception. The Catholic Church has proven, since its earliest days, has been and still is rife with corruption, abuse and false teachers. Hence, the reformation in fifteen-seventeen when Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses, and it continued until around 1648 with the Treaty of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years’ War. This period marked significant religious, political, and cultural changes in Europe. For a more complete understanding and appreciation, it is important to read the information from Britannica and Bible Hub.

Now, and once again, the Christianity of the twenty-first century has drifted from its Godly moorings, and is hardly recognizable when compared to the early Church or the Church from the Reformation era.

Like in the days of the Apostles, today God is gathering His Remnant, and this includes you and me, if we are willing, responsive and obedient to His call.

(The “Remnant” is a significant theme throughout the Bible, representing a group of people who remain faithful to God despite widespread apostasy or judgment. This theme is evident in both the Old and New Testaments, where the remnant is often portrayed as a beacon of hope and a testament to God’s enduring covenant with His people. Theologically, the remnant represents God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite human unfaithfulness, God preserves a group through whom He continues His redemptive work. The remnant serves as a symbol of hope and renewal, demonstrating that God’s purposes will ultimately prevail.

Throughout Scripture, the remnant is characterized by faithfulness, obedience, and reliance on God. This group often faces trials and persecution but remains steadfast, serving as a witness to God’s power and grace. The remnant theme underscores the idea that God always preserves a people for Himself, ensuring the continuity of His covenant and the fulfillment of His promises. From BibleHub.com).

Paul in Corinth

Acts 18:1, After these events, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. Verse 2. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, verse 3, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them, and they worked together, for they were tent-makers by trade. Verse 4. And Paul was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

Verse 5. But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. Verse 6, But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Verse 7. Then he left the synagogue and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Verse 8. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his entire household; and many of the Corinthians, as they listened to Paul, were believing and being baptized. Verse 9. And the Lord said to Paul by a vision at night, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; verse 10, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” Verse 11. And he settled there for a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Verse 12. But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, verse 13, saying, “This man is inciting the people to worship God contrary to the law.” Verse 14. But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of some crime or vicious, unscrupulous act, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; verse 15, but if there are questions about teaching and persons and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.” Verse 16. And he drove them away from the judgment seat. Verse 17. But they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. And yet, Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

Verse 18. Now Paul, when he had remained many days longer, took leave of the brothers and sisters and sailed away to Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. Paul first had his hair cut at Cenchrea, for he was keeping a vow. Verse 19. They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. Verse 20. When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, verse 21, but took leave of them and said, “I will return to you again if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

Verse 22. When he had landed in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.

Third Missionary Journey

Verse 23. And after spending some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Verse 24. Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was proficient in the Scriptures. Verse 25. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was accurately speaking and teaching things about Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; verse 26, and he began speaking boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately to him. Verse 27. And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, verse 28, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (end Chapter 18).

The Catholic Church, in the fourteenth century, began its descent into corruption and apostasy as it became political and gained great wealth. It became coercive, manipulative and dealt in intrigue. It became drunk with its own power and was easily infiltrated by the greedy, the sexually perverse and the lazy. The Gospel was cast aside, and their church became their god, and this continues to this very day.

The Reformation made great strides in correcting the course of the Church, but even that is losing its antiseptic effects. Protestant churches, worldwide, have drifted and are drifting into apostasy.

Throughout history, God has intervened to cleanse His people and His Church. Ranging from the great flood of Noah to the destruction of the first and second Jewish Temples. Next is the prophesied and promised cleansing by apocalyptic means. But this next time it will be, as the Book of Daniel describes it, “to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness… And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. (See Daniel 9:24-27).

And Daniel 12 says, “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation, till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever… Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined.”

You will either join God in what He is doing, or you will be left behind. There is no middle ground. There will be no innocent bystanders, no unaffected observers. You are either of the Remnant of God or of the rebellion against Him.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

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Next: (Coming Soon) THE BOOK OF ACTS – Chapter 19, Paul in Ephesus, Miracles at Ephesus.

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