BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 33

The Tale of Two Lost Cities Part Two

Acts 18

Over the years I have looked at people I have known and have tried to discern what makes one person a strong follower of Christ while others who have been in church all of their lives seem to be more apathetic. What I have discovered that the most dynamic Christians are those who were either anti-theist or led a very rough life when they were young. While I was working for the International Mission Board I came to know a young man who I considered to be one of the most on fire Christians I have known. He grew up in a family of non-believers. It was not until he attended the Air Force Academy that he came to know Christ. One of the tools God used to bring him to salvation was some books by C. S. Lewis. I am so thankful for him. He helped me to begin to memorize Scripture which I had never done before in my life.

When we think about the circumstance of our church and so many other churches and wonder why we are not growing, we have to look at our relationship with Christ. The question then becomes, are we sold out to Jesus or just getting by. There is a rule that is found in many organizations. It is what is called the eighty twenty rule. Basically it states that only 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. How then can we expect to accomplish anything for Christ if just 20 percent of us care enough to serve Him? How do we expect to impact the world with so few dedicated followers?

We will see today’s lesson how this dynamic is played out. When we think about what happened at Corinth it almost appears that it was easier to lead people to become Christians in a totally debased city than in cities like Athens where they had all of their gods, philosophy and intellect to worship. They almost knew too much to surrender to Christ.

Acts 18:1

After a disappointing time in Athens, Paul travelled to Corinth. Other sources of information need to be used to find out what kind city in which Paul would now be ministering. Corinth of that day could be described as:

• A key city located on the southern edge of the isthmus that connected the upper and lower part of Greece. Any person travelling to southern Greece would have to pass through this city.
• It was the market place of Greece
• The location of the Isthmian Games which were second only to the Olympics.
• It was also a very wicked city full of all types of debauchery. The word “Corinthian” was synonymous with immorality.
• Finally it was the home of the temple of Aphrodite who was the Greek goddess of love, beauty and sexuality. At its height there were over a 1000 prostitutes. The Roman equivalent would be the goddess Venus.

 

1. Why did Paul travel to Corinth?
2. What kind of city did he find upon his arrival?
3. Why would this be one of the most difficult places to share the gospel?
4. On the flip side why might this be the best of all places to share the gospel?
5. Why do we avoid the difficult places and people?

Acts 18:2-4

Paul met a Jew named Aquila who was from Pontus. Both he and his wife Priscilla were in Corinth because the emperor, Claudius had chased all of the Jews out of Rome. The three began working together because they were tent-makers. During the week Paul would have plied his trade but on the Sabbath he would spend time in the synagogue reasoning with the Jews. He spent this time trying to convince both Jews and Greeks. Although not mentioned this is where his new friends heard the gospel.

1. Why did Aquila and Priscilla find themselves in Corinth?
2. What was their connection with Paul?
3. What opportunities would Paul have to share with them?
4. Why would Corinth be a good city in which to ply his trade?
5. How Paul use his time when not working on tents?

Acts 18:5-6

When Silas and Timothy arrived from Athens, Paul, as Luke wrote, “began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.” The two men may have brought the news that Paul need not try to return to Athens any time soon. Hearing this news freed him to begin to spend time ministering to the Corinthians.

This new approach by Paul brought opposition from the Jews. Not only did they resist his teaching but also committed blasphemy.

1. Why did Paul wait for Silas and Timothy before ministering fulltime?
2. What is the plausibility that the door was closed and this led to the new work of Paul?
3. Why did Paul experience such opposition once he began to testify of the gospel fulltime?”
4. Why was this different than sharing only on the Sabbath?

Acts 18:6-7

Paul seems to hold out this greatest condemnation for the Jews of Corinthians. In no other place that Paul had ever visited had he reacted in this way. He used very strong words in describing the future of Jews who blaspheme Jesus by saying, “Your blood be on your own heads!” In his heart and mind he believed the Jews of Corinth had completely rejected Jesus as the Son of God and therefore had brought judgment upon themselves. He formally now states his new focus. From that point on, he would work with the Gentiles. To back this up he moved his operations to the home of Titius Justus who worshipped God. His headquarters was right next door to the synagogue.

1. Why was Paul so harsh on the Jews in Corinth?
2. What did he mean when he said, “Your blood be on your own heads?”
3. What might have been Paul’s mood at this point?
4. What could have been the one thing that he forgot?
5. Why did he move so close to the synagogue?
6. Why did he now focus his ministry on the Gentiles?

Acts 18:8

It had to be encouraging to Paul that Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue became a follower of Christ with his whole household. A ruler of the synagogue would be someone like an administrator of the synagogue with responsibility for the building and guest speakers. Along with Crispus there were many other Corinthians who after hearing the message of the gospel became believers also. While Paul was dealing with the situation from a human perspective God was working behind the scenes to bring about the harvest? From failure to success would be what Paul experienced.

1. Why might Paul at this point viewed himself as a failure?
2. How may what we consider a failure affect how we minister to others?
3. What could he not know at this time?
4. How does God take what seems to be failure and turn it into a situation which will bring glory to Himself?
5. After the above statements what would be the one thing that would bring encouragement to Paul?
6. What would cause someone like Crispus who was a ruler of the synagogue become a believer?

Acts 18:9-11

There was last piece to the puzzle to let Paul know that God had not deserted him and still had a plan for him. After Paul’s decision to begin ministering to the Gentiles God came to him in a vision. There were several points that He shared to encourage him:

• He was no longer to be fearful
• He was to continue speaking
• God was with him
• No harm would come to him
• God had people in the city

After this vision Paul spent another year and a half teaching the word of God among the people.

1. Why did God appear to Paul in a vision?
2. What had caused Paul to become fearful?
3. What had God called to do?
4. How would God’s assurance that no one would attack him or harm him help him in his ministry?
5. When have times when you feared what the future may bring?
6. How has God helped you overcome that fear?
7. How different has been your service been since that occurred?

Acts 18:12-17

The Jews had finally had enough of Paul and brought him before the Roman proconsul Gallio. Their accusation was that Paul was causes people to break the law by worshipping Jesus Christ. Gallio took an impartial position and dismissed the case. He refused to rule in a case involving religious ideology.

Sadly the Corinthians took advantage of the ruling and began beating Sosthenes the leader of the synagogue. Here again Gallio refused to become involved.

1. Why would Gallio refuse to hear the case against Paul?
2. In what way was his decision a result of the promise made by God to Paul?
3. To what law were the Jews referring?

Acts 18:18

Following the trial Paul remained in Corinth for a while. With his departure from the city the second missionary journey was over. He was heading back to the place from which he started even though he would take a different route before arriving there. He took Aquila and Priscilla with him.

1. Why did Paul spend more time in Corinth?
2. If he was having success why did he feel it was time to leave?
3. Why did he feel that he could take Aquila and Priscilla with him?
4. Who may have been one of the elders that Paul left to provide leadership?
5. Why would he have confidence in that person?

Acts 18:19-22

The following verses show the number of stops that Paul made as he finished the trip.

• He set out for Syria as mentioned in verse 18.
• In Cenchrea in Greece he cut his hair because he had made a vow. This would have been a Nazirite vow. As one commentator mentioned it was probably out of thankfulness for all that God had done in Corinth.
• He arrived in Ephesus and left Acquila and Priscilla there. At that time he declined to stay there but promised to return if possible. More than likely this had to do with the vow he had made.
• His next stop was at Caesarea.
• From there he journeyed up to Jerusalem where he greeted the church and probably fulfilled his vow.
• The last leg of his journey took him back to Antioch.

 

1. What was a Nazirite vow?
2. Why did he leave Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus?
3. Why did Paul not remain at Ephesus at that time?
4. Why did he go up to Jerusalem?

You-

1. Take time to reflect on the events of your life when you faced what seemed to be an almost impossible situation.
2. As you look back, think about the ways that God was working behind the scenes for you
3. Praise Him for all the times He has taken to you from the point that you considered failure to ultimate victory.
4. Remember with each new life situation there will be new challenges to be overcome.
5. Remember God is with you in all of those times.

As a church we need to learn how to have the courage to face each new challenge. It is so easy to become discouraged when things are not working out according to our own plans. We have to remember that this is God’s Church and He expects us to trust Him in every aspect of the church’s life. Like Paul we are not to give up. Sometimes we will have to make difficult decisions that run counter to our view of a situation, but we do so because it is the right choice. In the long run God will bless us as we remain faithful to His purpose for us. Be of good courage the battle and the victory belongs to the Lord. Let us shake the dust off of the past and move out into a God directed path.

Additional Notes:

C-When Paul left Athens he went on to Corinth. In Corinth he met Aquila and Priscilla. They had fled Rome when Claudius had forced all the Jews to leave. They formed and alliance since they were all tent makers. What an opportunity for Aquila and Priscilla to learn firsthand about Christ. (Acts 18:1-3)

C-Paul spent his free time, when he was not making tents, speaking to the Jews and Greeks trying to persuade them that Christ was their only hope. (Acts 18:4)

C-With the arrival of Silas and Timothy, Paul began to spend all of his time completely devoted to the testifying of the word of God to the Jews. When they refused to listen and were even guilty of blasphemy, Paul turned his full attention to the Gentiles.             (Acts 18:5-6)

GC-A follower must come to the point that he has gained the wisdom to not cast pearls before swine. (Acts 18:5-6; Matt. 7:6)

C-While in Corinth Paul went to the home of Titius Justus who lived next door the synagogue (Acts 18:7)

C-Crispus, the leader of the synagogue and his whole household became believers. Many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized. (Acts 18:8)

GC-One who comes to know the Lord is one who has not resisted Him. (Acts 18:8)

GC-A true believer testifies that Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 18:8)

GC-We do have to fear others because God is our source of strength. (Acts 18:9-10)

GC-As God admonished Paul, He also is encouraging us not to be afraid but to keep speaking out to our own generation. (Acts 18:10)

C-Paul stayed in Corinth one year and six months. (Acts 18:11)

C-The Jews of the city brought Paul before the proconsul, Gallio, accusing him of trying to worship Jesus. Gallio dismissed the charge. (Acts 18:12-17)

C-After some days Paul left Corinth taking Aquila Priscilla with him. (Acts 18:18)

C-Aquila and Priscilla were left at Ephesus while Paul continued his journey on to Antioch. (Acts 18:21-22)