Acts 18 - Committed to Service

Setting the tone

Matthew 26:26 NIV

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Matthew 26:27 NIV

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.

Matthew 26:28 NIV

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Never Give Up

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Seventeen: It’s Always Too Soon to Quit (Acts 18:1–22)

A man was shoveling snow from his driveway when two boys carrying snow shovels approached him.

“Shovel your snow, Mister?” one of them asked. “Only two dollars!”

Puzzled, the man replied, “Can’t you see that I’m doing it myself?”

“Sure,” said the enterprising lad; “that’s why we asked. We get most of our business from people who are half through and feel like quitting!”

Dr. V. Raymond Edman used to say to the students at Wheaton (Illinois) College, “It’s always too soon to quit!” And Charles Spurgeon reminded his London congregation, “By perseverance, the snail reached the ark.”

Corinth, with its 200,000 people, would not be the easiest city in which to start a church, and yet that’s where Paul went after leaving Athens. And he went alone! The going was tough, but the apostle did not give up.

Corinth’s reputation for wickedness was known all over the Roman Empire. (Rom. 1:18–32 was written in Corinth!) Thanks to its location, the city was a center for both trade and travel. Money and vice, along with strange philosophies and new religions, came to Corinth and found a home there. Corinth was the capital of Achaia and one of the two most important cities Paul visited. The other was Ephesus.

When God opens doors, the enemy tries to close them, and there are times when we close the doors on ourselves because we get discouraged and quit. As Paul ministered in Corinth, the Lord gave him just the encouragements that he needed to keep him going, and these same encouragements are available to us today.

1. Focus on the positive…people

Acts 18:1 NIV

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

Acts 18:2 NIV

There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,

Acts 18:3 NIV

and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

Acts 18:4 NIV

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

Acts 18:5 NIV

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.

2. Deal appropriately with the joy robbers

Acts 18:6 NIV

But when they 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 innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

3. Treasure the encouragement

Acts 18:7 NIV

Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.

Acts 18:8 NIV

Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

Acts 18:9 NIV

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.

Acts 18:10 NIV

For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

Acts 18:11 NIV

So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Acts 18:12 NIV

While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment.

Acts 18:13 NIV

“This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”

Acts 18:14 NIV

Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you.

Acts 18:15 NIV

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.”

Acts 18:16 NIV

So he drove them off.

Acts 18:17 NIV

Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

4. Live for the applause of Heaven

Acts 18:18 NIV

Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.

Acts 18:19 NIV

They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

Acts 18:20 NIV

When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.

Acts 18:21 NIV

But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.

Acts 18:22 NIV

When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.

5. Remember, the Gospel is a treasure to be shared

Acts 18:23 NIV

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 18:24 NIV

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.

Acts 18:25 NIV

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.

Acts 18:26 NIV

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 adequately.

Acts 18:27 NIV

When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

Acts 18:28 NIV

For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.