The Provision for the Church

Introduction

Acts 18:1–28 NIV84

1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 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 the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 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.” 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” 14 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. 15 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.” 16 So he had them ejected from the court. 17 Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever. 18 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. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 23 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. 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 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. 26 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. 27 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. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

When I have studied this chapter, I have been reminded of how God has provided a way to grow His church. He indeed is the God of provision. In face, in the Book of Philippians 4:19

Philippians 4:19 NIV84

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

We are reminded here and in Acts 18 that God will meet the needs for His people and His church.

The provision He has provided for the church is shown to us in this chapter in four unique ways. First, let’s look at the provision of encouragement.

The Provision of Encouragement

God has a way, through His ways and through His Word, to encourage His people. In this passage, we see Luke’s perspective of Paul entering Corinth. There is no mention here from Luke that it was anything out of the norm. However, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:3

1 Corinthians 2:3 NIV84

3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

Paul confesses to coming to Corinth in fear, weakness, and much trembling. We can also see that he apparently came to Corinth alone.

Overcoming Fear

Paul had to overcome fear as he come to the new place. So far he had been in danger everywhere he had been. Multiple times his associates had to help him sneak out. Now Paul was led to a new place. Corinth had a bad reputation for immorality. It was a melting pot of many nationalities. This meant there were many beliefs and people groups that did not like Paul preaching the gospel and he was constantly looking over his back. Have you ever been in a new place and experienced fear? God wants to help you overcome that fear. Sometimes that fear leads to loneliness.

Overcoming Loneliness

The Bible says in Acts 18:2

Acts 18:2 NIV84

2 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 the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,

We do not have any evidence when Aquila and Priscilla had accepted Jesus as their Savior, but we know that some how God brought them together and Paul was comforted enough to overcome his loneliness because he stayed with them for a while. There is something grand about God’s design for us to fellowship with other Christians. 2 Corinthians 6:14

2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV84

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

We experience light when fellowship with other believers. Paul was able to minister more effectively because of his fellowship with Priscilla and Aquila.

However, Paul had to deal with distractions other than fear and loneliness. The Bible says as he preached, there were some Jews that opposed him.

Overcoming Distractions

Paul got quite upset about this. As they became more abusive, Paul had to overcome this distraction.

Acts 18:6 NIV84

6 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.”

Sometimes we have to overcome fear, overcome loneliness, and overcome distractions to carry out God’s work. God shows us here that this took place by the promise of His word.

Isaiah 43:5 (NIV84)

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

I will bring your children from the east

and gather you from the west.

God always provides for those that are His.

The Provision of Entrepreneurship

Notice also the provision of entrepreneurship.

Acts 18:3 NIV84

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

An Ability

Paul had an ability where he had a learned trade as a tentmaker. Paul’s native province of Cilicia was noted for its goats’ hair cloth which was exported under the name of cilicium and was used largely for tentmaking. We are told in the passage that Paul dwelt with Aquila and Priscilla, and worked with them at tent-making.

Was it coincidence this ability was given to Paul and he became acquainted with Aquila and Priscilla who were also tentmakers? God allowed an ability to turn into an opportunity.

An Opportunity

The opportunity gave Paul financial resources to pay expenses and living costs. We will study this in a few weeks but notice what Paul said in Acts 20:34

Acts 20:34 NIV84

34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.

An ability led to an opportunity which led to an income.

An Income

Someone needs to hear that just now. You are in a financial crisis and there is an ability you have in which you can experience the provision of entrepreneurship. The example we have in Scripture shows us that through this provision, God allowed Paul to minister more effectively. Just as a reminder, Scripture tells us that there is a difference between righteous wages and wicked wages.

Proverbs 10:16 (NIV84)

16 The wages of the righteous bring them life,

but the income of the wicked brings them punishment.

Paul was righteous and his wages brought him to his life calling.

The Provision of Edification

God also shows us here the provision of edification. Again, we see in this passage that each and every time Paul came into a new town, he went to the synagogue. Paul was devoted to God, but also we see that God was devoted to Paul.

Devoted

Luke wrote in his Gospel the words of Jesus, Luke 12:34

Luke 12:34 NIV84

34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Your treasure determines your devotion.

Acts 18:5 NIV84

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

What are you devoted to?

Paul was devoted to His God and as a result, he was determined.

Determined

Sometimes we give up too easily. Paul, by the world’s standards should have given up a long time ago. Yet, he is determined to preach Christ. However, Paul was human. Like you and I, he became distracted.

Distracted

Acts 18:6 NIV84

6 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.”

I have you ever pitched a hissy fit? I am sure Paul felt he had reason. He was sick and tired of the naysayers, the negativity and the know it alls. I understand that! We must remember that God always has a plan. God will always have a plan to deliver us from ourselves and from those that go against His plan.

Delivered

Acts 18:9–10 NIV84

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

Paul was reassured through the provision of edification. This fired him up and caused him to preach and teach with more fervor than ever.

The Provision of Exhortation

When we do the will of God, God will share with us His provision through exhortation.

What is exhortation? Exhortation literally means “a calling of someone alongside to help.” Paul was called by God and in responding to that call, he continued to preach the gospel.

Continuing to Preach the Gospel

Acts 18:11 NIV84

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

Contagiously Paving the Way for Others

Acts 18:22 NIV84

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

Acts 18:23 NIV84

23 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.

Because of the teaching of Paul, others were able to teach and confidently prove that Jesus was the Christ.

Confidently Proving Jesus is the Christ

Acts 18:28 NIV84

28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Does your life prove Jesus was the Christ? Is He your Lord and Savior? Has He given you the provisions to carry on in this life and prepare you for the next? I have seen from this passage that He will make a way.