Acts 18

Paul arrives at Corinth--a large Roman city. It's largest temple is for Venus, with 1,000 courtesans or prostitutes. They would go out at night into the city to entice "worshippers".

We thought about how awful that must've been like. To have that flaunted throughout the city, 1,000 is a lot of painted ladies! Then we realized...we see it every day on tv, in print ads, music...the siren song of "love" with no strings attached...There certainly is nothing new under the sun! Ecclesiastes 1:9

A Jewish man named Aquila and his wife Priscilla were driven out of Rome by decree of Emperor Claudius. A historian named Suetonius believed it was due to disturbances by some religious sect who followed "Chrestus", which was a misspelling of "Christus" or Christ.

So this couple were believers and had been through persecution. Paul stayed with them because they had the same trade: tent making. Remember, every Jewish boy was taught a trade if he didn't go on to be a Rabbi after "grade school". Normally they would take up the family trade.

Paul had taken up tent making. These tradesmen would work with the tanners, since tents were made from animal skins.

Timothy and Silas return to Paul at Corinth. When they arrived he was "pressed in the spirit" or "constrained by the word". Some would say that he was compelled by the Spirit to continue in his preaching.

Are we sensitive to the Spirit? Do we speak when we're prodded in our spiritual gut? Have you ever really stepped out and spoken to someone that God said, "THAT one!" It's an amazing feeling. You don't know where the words come from, but they come.

Since Paul was able to stop his trade for a time, I wonder if Paul and Silas brought provisions from Thessalonia...the letters to the Thessalonians spoke of them sending things.

At this time, you might read some in the letters to the Corinthians. It will give you some more insight to Paul's thoughts as he ministers to this city that is buried in gods of all shapes and sizes.

At the synagogue, they rejected Paul's' teaching. He actually shook his coat, letting them know he wasn't responsible for their future now.

He left the synagogue and started a church next door at Justus' house. (Some say this is Titus Justus, possibly the one to whom the Book of Titus was written for.)

Though the Jewish people rejected the Gospel, Crispus was converted--he was their head ruler. He was basically the synagogue's "operations manager". He made sure the place ran smoothly, decisions were made, legalities were settled. And when this knowledgeable leader accepted Christ, along with his whole family, many Corinthians believed.

Again we see the steps of conversion: the word is preached, the people hear it and faith is spurred, confession and baptism ensues.

God spoke to Paul this time, not just an angel. And confirmation came in the growth of the church. Paul wrote two epistles to the Thessalonians while there. Paul stayed a year and six months there.

Be assured, if we are obedient to God's call, we will hear from Him sooner or later!

But the Jews were not happy, they didn't like Paul's success. Think about it, he had converted their leader and he was taking away their people. The people who supported the synagogue with their offerings and donations.

In verse 12 we meet Gallio--a proconsul or governor. He was the brother of Seneca, tutor of Nero. He was a cultivated, polished man of the world. The Jews brought Paul to judgment and accused him of a new, non-government approved religion. Which was completely legal, you had to have your religion approved before you could spread it. I am wondering with the sheer volume of gods in their city, it must not have been a very hard process to get approved!

So while they were holding Paul before the judgement seat and charging him with this, Gallio cuts them off. He had no time for this. He assumed that Christianity was just another sect of Judaism. He refused to get involved. Sound familiar? We remembered another governor who didn't want to get involved, remember Pontius Pilate?

The Matthew Henry Commentary states, "Gallio spoke as if he boasted of his ignorance of the Scriptures, as if the law of God was beneath his notice. Gallio cared for none of these things. If he cared not for the affronts of bad men, it was commendable; but if he concerned not himself for the abuses done to good men, his indifference was carried too far. And those who see and hear of the sufferings of God's people, and have no feeling with them, or care for them, who do not pity and pray for them, are of the same spirit as Gallio, who cared for none of these things."

I must say one thing about the people of Haiti. I know that the news media has saturated the airwaves with every possible story about their plight. But I must say to you, as you listen to the children and the women singing familiar Christian songs in the streets...how can we NOT do something as our brothers and sisters in Christ are in peril? Are we like Gallio turning a blind eye...or will we do what we can and pray, weep and care for them? Dear sisters, listen with your heart to what God is calling you to do. Step out in faith and do what only you know you can do. It can be prayer, it can be giving, it can be going. It's between you and God.

As the Jewish people were dismissed, they immediately turned on Sosthenes and beat him. He was probably Crispus' successor and chief accuser. So since Paul could not receive the brunt of their anger, Sosthenes would.

The scripture doesn't say how long Paul remained, but since it doesn't say he was "whisked away by the brethren", we can assume he remained there for a while longer.

He sailed on to Syria, to Antioch...the "base church" that launched so many missionaries. He had taken a vow and shaved his head in Cenchrea. We wondered what his vow was that he took, but figured it was a Nazarite vow. We read about it in the Old Testament. (Numbers 6:1-21) Could it have had something to do with handling animal skins in his tent making?

Paul arrives at Ephesus. He preaches at the local synagogue and they want him to stay this time, but he wants to get back for "the feast". Some commentaries think this was Pentecost. He promised to return.

Paul lands at Caesarea and went to Antioch. He stayed a while and then left to visit previous church plants in Galatia and Phrygia...his third missionary journey.

We meet Apollos, a native of Alexandria where there were thousands of Jews. He was a disciple of John the Baptist but didn't know all about Christ. He knew Jesus was the one coming after John, but he was ignorant about the Commission and Pentecost. Priscilla and Aquila came along side him after he preached. They didn't jump up during his speaking to admonish him. They took him aside and taught him all they knew. He went on to be a great evangelist. The letters that followed him showed that the bearer was "worthy of their confidence". Paul refers to these letters in 2 Cor 3:1.

How often do we encourage each other as we learn in our Bible study? I am so thankful to be in a group of ladies that are not afraid to ask questions, to call up scripture, to challenge each other! It says in Proverbs 27:17 that as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. As women, we are doing the same thing...sharpening each other with the Word. By wielding our swords every Wednesday night, we sharpen our minds and our souls as we dig in God's worth together.

May God continue to bless us with His wisdom as we challenge each other in the Word, the Truth and the Way!