Keep on Speaking

 Acts 18:1-28

Welcome! Looking back, we have this passage from Acts 15:

“Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.” – Acts 15:36-41 

They essentially doubled their effort.  We have been looking at Paul’s effort on that second missionary journey for more than a month now.   

If you remember, last week we ended up at the end of Acts chapter 17 in Athens. Acts Chapter 18 begins with Paul leaving Athens and going to Corinth. Corinth was conquered by Rome about 200 BC. Around 150 BC, the Corinthians rebelled, and the Romans made an example out of Corinth and utterly destroyed them. The town lay mostly uninhabited and in ruins for one hundred years, until around 50 BC, it was rebuilt by Julius Caesar. About 25 years later (and about 75 years before Paul visits), it had grown sufficiently so as to become the capital of the province of Achaia. Compared to the ancient city of Athens, the rebuilt Corinth seemed all-new.

Corinth actually had two seaports, one on the Gulf of Corinth on the west and one on the Saronic Gulf on the east. Corinth sat on a narrow land bridge between these two bodies of water. Bringing goods from one port to the other through Corinth was a much shorter and cheaper prospect than going all the way around the south. Small ships and the cargo from large ships would actually be taken over land on large rolling carts from port to port. A special paved road was made for this purpose that was approximately 5 miles long. Called the diolkos (which means “to carry across”) the construction of this road dates the 7th century BC.

The Isthmus of Corinth is only about 4 miles wide at the narrowest point. It is the narrow land bridge which connects the Piloponnese peninsula with the rest of the mainland Greece.  Within twenty years after Paul’s visit, the emperor Nero announced that he was going to have a channel cut. Using a golden pick, Nero himself cut the first chunk of earth out, and carried the first basket of earth on his back. But Nero soon died, and nothing more happened. In 1893, a canal was actually cut through the Corinthian isthmus. Today ships can pass through this canal.  

Because of its important location, Corinth became a center of trade, and many Corinthians became incredibly wealthy. Perhaps because of this wealth, Corinth became known as a center of sinful activity and corruption. The fact that Corinth was a recreation place for large numbers of sailors only added to the problem. To call someone a “Corinthian” was to imply he was immoral and a drunk. You might say that Corinth was the Las Vegas of its time.

Towering 2000 ft. over Corinth was the Acrocorinth (or Corinth marketplace), which included the giant temple of Athena, goddess of love. In this temple there lived about 1000 temple prostitutes who each evening would come down into the city to offer their services. This sin-indulging behavior was done under the auspices of a religious service to the “fine people of Corinth” – for the proper fee, of course. Population approximately 700,000 Two thirds were slaves.

Into this challenging environment came the apostle Paul. There he met a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla. It is easy to forget that when Paul went on his missionary journeys, he often had to work full time to make money. Paul was a tentmaker.  Aquila and Priscilla were also tentmakers, and having so much in common, Paul stayed with them. They were from Rome, and we know two things: they became believers and they eventually got back to Rome, because in Romans 16:3 Paul writes, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.”

Paul was not the “boss” in Corinth, simply a fellow laborer – a laborer making tents and a laborer of the gospel. On the Sabbaths, Paul would go and share the gospel in the synagogue to the Jews there. Priscilla and Aquila are also mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:19 and I Corinthians 16:19.   Priscilla and Aquila had a house church in Ephesus. 

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 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." – Acts 18:5-6

So eventually Silas and Timothy came as instructed by Paul back in chapter 17. They may have made money themselves at some labor, sufficiently enough so that Paul could do full-time preaching. Or, they may have had a gift of money from the Macedonian churches that enabled them (at least Paul) to do this. Paul talks about this in II Cor.11:8-9:

I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. – II Cor. 11:8-9

As had happened many times before, the Jews opposed Paul, and it says they became abusive.  A paraphrase of what Paul said in Acts 18:6 would sound like this: “Enough! I have told you the gospel. You know it. What you do with it is your own responsibility.   I will go to the Gentiles since you have rejected the good news of the gospel” And so Paul went to the Gentiles to the Gentiles Corinthians in this case.

Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. – Acts 18:7-8

We see some interesting fruit here – the guy who lived next door to the syngagogue – a Gentile “God-fearer”, someone who had been attending the synagogue and adopting Jewish customs, and his household, and also the leader of the synagogue! Often when Paul left a synagogue, many of the Jews – those who believed – left with him, and this made the leaders angry and jealous. This time, the main leader also left. And there was much fruit among the so called depraved, corrupt, sinful Corinthian Gentiles. Remember, the gospel is for all people, especially those who, as Jesus said, “are sick and know they need a doctor.”  With the exception of Carl we are all Gentiles.

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, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. – Acts 18:9-11

Luke doesn’t tell us much of what happened before this vision, but it is easy to imagine. Look at Paul’s life. City after city after city, he has been accused, arrested, attacked, beaten, and forced to flee. Here he is in Corinth, probably the most sinful and least godly city he has yet visited, and perhaps he is simply thinking ahead.  He wonders “When will it happen again?”. “Should I leave now, while I can?” Other New Testament passages hint that Paul was going through an extreme period of stress in Corinth. Listen to this in I Corinthians 2:1-3

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. – I Cor. 2:1-3

Is this Paul? In weakness and fear, with much trembling? Yes. Everyone has a limit. There is only so much anyone can take. And Paul has taken a lot. I wonder if somehow his experiences in Athens, the previous city, had been the “last straw.” He was mocked and ridiculed there among the “intelligentsia”, called a “seed-picker,” a derogatory term for someone who is an intellectual lightweight, like a little bird, or today we would say a “bird brain.” Corinth was an imposing city. It was an evil city. People who do missions work full time talk about how certain locations are demonic strongholds. There is no question that Athens was such a place. And even more so Corinth must have been a demonic stronghold.

But listen again to the message Paul was given in his vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." First: Paul, do not fear. Literally in the Greek, it reads, “You are being fearful. Stop it!”.  Second: what to do. Keep on speaking, do not be silent. Third: Is the reason. “I am with you and no one is going to attack and harm you.” Why? Because God has His own people in this city. 

How many other times in the Bible do we see God give a similar message? Here are just some of them: Gen. 15:1: “After this the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.’” Deut. 31:6, to Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Jeremiah 1:17-19, to Jeremiah: “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land – against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you.”

So what did Paul do after receiving this vision? He stayed. He spoke. He obeyed.

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law." – Acts 18:12-13

What is this? I thought God was going to protect him. Here we go again. How will it turn out this time? 

Will Paul be beaten again? Worse? Will he be killed? No.

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. 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." So he had them ejected from the court. Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever. – Acts 18:14-17

Note Gallio did not want to set a president here.  Otherwise there would be no end to these types of disputes over the Jewish laws. 

Notice that Paul didn’t even get a chance to speak. Now we shouldn’t gloat in the failures of our enemies, but it is hard not to here. Who was Sosthenes? He wasn’t Crispus. He was the new synagogue leader.  I don’t know if it was as a result of his beating here or not but it appears he is with Paul later in Ephesus when Paul writes his first letter to the Corinthians.  Paul begins his letter as follows:

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Cor. 1:1-3

Notice how Paul calls him our brother.

Continuing our passage in Acts we read:

Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. – Acts 18:18-21

Paul, led by the Spirit, was ready to end this missionary journey and begin the journey home. He spent relatively little time in Ephesus, but seeds were planted. It may be that his vow was connected with his reason he could not stay longer.  We don’t really know.

When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 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. – Acts 18:22-23

He went up to Jerusalem elevation between 2400 ft and 2500 ft above sea level and down again and then down to Antioch elevation about 100 feet above seal level.

Now Paul doesn’t stay put. He goes throughout the region, strengthening the disciples. We will see in later messages that this this journey will eventually become the apostle Paul’s Third Missionary Journey.

Now, how do you “strengthen” a believer?  Let’s look at some examples from the New Testament and see how Paul did this. 

Paul wrote to the church in Rome to strengthen and encourage them:

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. – Rom. 1:11-12 

Paul told the church in Corinth that prophesies are for their strengthening:

But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. – I Cor. 14:3

Paul told the church at Colossae:

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ. – Col. 2:2

Paul told the church in Ephesus that he was sending Tychicus:

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. – Eph. 6:22 

Paul also told the church in Colossae that he was sending Tychicus:

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. – Col. 4:8 

Paul told the church of the Thessalonians:

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith – I Thess. 3:2

So sometimes Paul went himself to strengthen the brethren and sometimes he sent them letters and sometimes he sent them encouraging brothers.  

This is what we are to do for one another.  It’s not really us who does this. Like Paul and Tychicus and Timothy we are conduits for God’s Spirit to strengthen one another.

We may go ourselves or send text or emails or make phone calls or send others.  A good example for us is communicating via email to Gretta in Taiwan, and how Amanda is going to visit Emma in Austria and how March and Kristin are planning to visit Gretta in Taiwan. 

Continuing with today’s passage we read:

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 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. 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 accurately. – Acts 18:24-26

Now three things strike me here: 

1. Apollos was a bold learned man and fervently and accurately taught in the synagogue of Jesus but he knew only of the baptism of repentance taught by John the Baptist.

2. Priscilla and Aquila were only tent makers.  They were probably not as well educated as Apollos was but they were aware of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  

3. Priscilla and Aquila took what they did know and imparted it to Apollos and this new knowledge helped him become even more successful in refuting the Jews in public debate.

We can all learn from this.  Just because Carl and John and I are ordained ministers doesn’t mean we have the market cornered on the whole truth of the Scriptures.  The Holy Spirit may have enlightened you on one or more scriptural subjects and if we are humble like Apollos was we can become even more effective in our ministry after the saints like yourself share with us what you have been learning from the Scriptures.

Listen to how this played out with Apollos:

When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. – Acts 18:27-28

So, with this new imparted knowledge Apollos was able to refute the Jews and prove from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ (the Messiah that was to come).  Carl and John and I study and teach from the scriptures, but we never stop learning, and neither should you.  We would hope that you would share with us and with each other what the Lord has been teaching you so we all can be more effective in reaching the lost.