Acts 18:1-17 Paul in Corinth

While in Corinth, Paul seeks a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who came out of Rome due to the persecution. They were tentmakers like himself and joined forces to work in the area. It is important to keep in contact with good relationships while in the field. It is also important to seek partnerships that bring strength to the cause. Paul did not hesitate to partner with this couple to strengthen his work and influence there. There is greater effectiveness when one partners with people who share the same goal and have a certain affinity. Teamwork is always better than working alone because of the synergy that it creates.

After Silas and Timothy join him in Corinth, Paul experiences a turning point in his ministry. Due to the opposition and revile of the Corinthians, Paul decides to turn to the Gentiles completely. This turning point brings about decisions concerning location - he moved to a home, next door to the synagogue, and strategy. There are moments in ministry when I must reconsider what I am doing. A slow response to the Gospel is different to a hostile response to the Gospel. Where are people responding to the Gospel? Where are people hostile to the Gospel? It is important to see where God is at work and join him!

I don't think I've ever thought of Paul as one to fear anything. But the Lord speaks to him encouraging words: "Do not be afraid... for I am with you." When the Lord sets out to encourage someone it is for a reason. Paul may have struggled with continuing to preach in Corinth due to the opposition and he may have feared for his life and maybe was planning to leave. Even the strongest Christian needs reassuring words at times. The Lord reassured him that he would not be harmed and he ends up staying there for a year and a half. As a Church, we should make a point of ministering to all our International Workers and missionaries. Encouraging words go a long way to revitalize a missionary on the field.

The one beaten this time was Sosthenes, not Paul. The truth is that the world will hate those who bring the good news of the Gospel. At times, that means being at the receiving end of attacks, even beatings. It is the cost associated with preaching the Gospel. It is the cost of being a true disciple. It is the price to pay for the calling God has placed upon his people. Am I willing to pay the price? I must count the cost!

Father,  Help me find those partners that will enhance the ministry of the Gospel where I am. Teach me to make the turning points necessary to keep the Gospel moving forward. May I encourage those around me with my words. May I be willing to count the cost and pay the price. Amen

Acts 17:10-21 Paul and Silas in Berea and Athens

Paul and Silas escaped the mob in Thessalonica moving into Berea. Unfortunately, it was not far enough. The Thessalonians pursued Paul into Berea forcing him to leave. He was taken all the way to Athens. Interestingly enough, Silas and Timothy remain in Berea without Paul. Since Paul was the main teacher of the team, he was the target of the persecution and not so much the others. Preaching and teaching the Word of God has a cost. At times, people will not like me for it. Am I willing to remain faithful to the calling? Am I willing to pay the cost?

The Jews in Berea were "more noble" than the Jews in Thessalonica. This speaks of the character of the people differing from place to place. It is also tied in with the levels of receptivity to the Word of God. The Bereans received the word with all eagerness. There was a hunger for the Scriptures. This eagerness moved the Bereans not only to listen to the word, but to examine the Scriptures daily. They took upon themselves to check everything that Paul was teaching making sure they were indeed written. What a display of eagerness to learn! I want to be as eager as the Bereans to examine God's Word daily.

While Paul waits in Athens for Silas and Timothy, he was "provoked within him" when he saw the idolatry in the city. After all that had happened, he probably wanted to lay low and cool it off, but he could not do so. The sinful condition of the people moved him to continue to preach the Gospel in the synagogue and the marketplace. Do I have this passion for unbelievers? Am I moved within to share the Gospel with those who have not heard? This provocation within is definitely part of the kingdom of God. I desire that fire within.

Athens was not without philosophies of its own. The Epicureans believed that happiness was the pursuit of modest pleasures to achieve tranquility and freedom from fear. The highest pleasure was achieved by knowledge, friendship, and a temperate lifestyle. Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means to overcoming destructive emotions despite of the circumstances. But the Gospel stands against these philosophies. Happiness is in the pursuit of God and dependence upon him. Life is in receiving and believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Virtue is in following the teachings of Christ in this world.

Father, teach me to be faithful to the calling to preach the Gospel. Make me eager for your Word every day. Grant me a passion for those who are lost and fill me with your Spirit to follow your commands. Amen.

Acts 17:1-9 Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

Paul and Silas were consistent in their strategy to preach the Gospel. They looked for a nearby synagogue and began to preach the Gospel there. They spent three Sabbath days (weeks) at the synagogue. Paul reasoned with them, explaining and proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ who had to suffer and rise from the dead. Certainly the Gospel needs to be preached in the power of the Spirit, and needs to be centered on the Scriptures, but it does not exclude the use of reason. Is Scripture the source of my preaching? Am I seeking the power of the Spirit to preach?


Reason (explanation and proof) is at the service of Revelation with the purpose of persuading those who listen. When Paul refers to his preaching not being of words with eloquent wisdom (1Cor.1:17), he is referring to the custom of the professional orators who performed for the sake of entertainment and instruction calling attention to themselves. The preaching of the Gospel strives to persuade using reason at the service of revelation by exalting Jesus as the Christ, not the messenger. The proclamation of the Gospel must be Christocentric. The messenger must hide behind the cross.

It was very difficult for the Jews to accept that the Christ would have to suffer. They expected a Christ who would become King, but they could not conceive of a suffering Christ. The truth of the Gospel is that through suffering and death we are given healing and life. I don't like suffering. The mere thought of suffering causes me to shrink back. But we know that suffering produces endurance (Rom.5:3) and it is part of our identification with Christ in his kingdom. If Christ was hated and persecuted and suffered, I must realize that my following him will bring the same upon my life. Suffering is part and parcel of the kingdom of God. I have to come to grips with suffering. This is part of the cost to follow Jesus. Am I willing to pay the cost?

The jealousy of the Jews drove them to go after Paul by forming a mob, setting the city in an uproar. They went into Jason's home, but they missed him - thank God. Because they missed Paul, they went after Jason and some other brothers accusing them of acting against Caesar by proclaiming Jesus as king. At least, they were not executed. They were charged a fine as security - more likely referring to giving their word that Paul and Silas would not come back to preach. This may be the "Satan's hindrance" mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians (1Thes.2:18). It is important to realize that behind such opposition lie the powers of darkness. My struggle is not against flesh and blood. That's why I can't stop praying!

Acts 16:16-40 Paul and Silas in Prison

It did not take very long for Paul to get in trouble again. This time, he meets a slave girl with a spirit of divination and he casts the spirit out of her. The powers that this spirit had upon this girl allowed her to see that Paul and Silas were serving God and that they preached the way of salvation. Unfortunately, the casting out of the spirit from this girl cost the owners a lot of money since they were into the business of divination. At times, I'm not certain of how annoyed God is at my attempts to know and understand my future. When I go to the horoscope, tarot cards, palm reading, etc I disobey God.

Paul and Silas were apprehended and taken before the magistrates. The accusation they drummed up against them was a conflict in customs between Jews and Romans that gets them beaten with rods before they are imprisoned - in the inner prison with their feet fastened in the stocks. Our cultural response to the Gospel is no different than the Romans' response in the days of Paul. Bottom line is: the Gospel is countercultural and I must be willing to preach it no matter the cost. The Gospel disrupts my way of life and calls my attention to conform to a heavenly culture I don't understand. To follow Jesus means to take up my own cross.

The preaching of a countercultural Gospel is affirmed by the power of the Holy Spirit. For one, the apostles were praying and singing hymns after being beaten and fastened to the stocks in prison. I am not one to feel in the mood of singing after a beating. This is an obvious manifestation of the Spirit's power upon his people in the midst of persecution. It is not the product of Christian stoicism in the face of opposition. Also, God takes care of his people to fulfill his purposes. The shaking of the prison until everyone was free is another manifestation of the Spirit's power on behalf of God's people.

Paul and Silas have an opportunity to witness to the jailer who was ready to take his life since he thought all his prisoners had escaped. A divine appointment produces an opportunity to share the Gospel and see a life surrender into the hands of Christ. Trials and tribulations are opportunities for the power of the Spirit to manifest. These manifestations of the Spirit produce opportunities to preach the Gospel. I need to be on the lookout for these opportunities in the midst of my trials and tribulations. Am I seizing those opportunities on a daily basis?

Another such opportunity to witness the Gospel of the kingdom came about as a result of their imprisonment. When the magistrates wanted to let them go silently, Paul refused to leave until they would come to them. They were Roman citizens (probably with dual citizenship) who had been beaten without charge and Paul intended to use the opportunity to speak to the magistrates about the kingdom. Injustice can become the conduit for witnessing opportunities. Am I focusing on the injustice or on the opportunity? I think that I would be a lot more focused on what happened to me than looking to use the opportunity that the situation has given me for the furthering of the kingdom of God.

Father, help me rely on you for all my future. Give me boldness and courage to preach a Gospel that is countercultural with valor to face the consequences. Teach me to make the best of every opportunity, even those granted me via injustice and persecution, to be a witness for the Gospel. Amen.