Priscilla and Aquilla

Introduction:

· A haircut in Thessaloniki…and a haircut at the port of Cenchrae.

WHAT DOES THIS TEXT SHOW US ABOUT AN IDENTITY, AND WHAT DOES IT SHOW US ABOUT A COMMUNITY?

I) An Identity that Reorients Us

A. Christians Embrace a New Identity…

i. Paul Concludes His Missionary Work In the Same Pattern

1. Luke’s Summary statement of Paul’s Work (vv. 18-23)

2. Paul Continues to bring good news to Jewish people (vv. 19-21)

ii. The Supremacy of Christ is the Focus of Paul’s Proclamation

1. Whether to Jew or to Gentile, Paul lifts up Jesus as the hope for salvation

2. APPLICATION: “What is the Christian message?” Political? Social? Pietistic? No! It’s Jesus as the means of salvation

B. …While Retaining Their Old Identity (vs. 18)

i. Paul (probably) takes a Nazirite Vow (PICTURE)

1. A Nazirite vow was distinctly Jewish, requiring: (Num. 6:2)

Numbers 6:2 ESV

“Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord,

a. Shaving of hair

b. Abstaining from Alcohol, grapes, etc.

c. Bringing offerings to God – including the hair – at Jerusalem

2. Paul may be thanking God for protection & Success in Corinth

3. A Nazirite vow was offered in thanks to God for his action, NOT as a means of securing favor from God

ii. Paul models a new way of viewing our own identity as Christians

1. Should we offer such vows? We could – but this isn’t the point

2. Paul retains his Jewish heritage and practices even as he subsumes them under Christ (1 Cor. 9:20)

1 Corinthians 9:20 ESV

To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.

3. We are Christian first – even as we retain our culture

4. EXAMPLE: “American Christians” or “Christian Americans”?

NOW, LET’S LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY THAT STRENGTHENS US.

II) A Community That Strengthens Us (vv. 24-28)

A. The Christian Community Grows Through Multiplication (Not addition)

i. Paul invested in others who would invest in others

1. P&A travel with Paul, relocating to Ephesus, before returning to Rome

2. These lay-leaders played a key part in the life of the church

3. EXAMPLE: Women leadership in a countercultural way (Chrysostom)

ii. As a Church, we are to invest in others as well!

1. Christianity grows by discipleship: PaulàP&AàApollos

2. APPLICATION: Not a professional clergy – who are you discipling?

B. The Christian Community Nurtures Its Disciples

i. Filling up an incomplete message (vv. 25-28)

1. Apollos was intelligent (from Alexandria, educated, etc.) and eloquent

2. But, his message was incomplete:

i. He understood “the things of Jesus”…

ii. Probably he – like others – admired John the Baptist (though he didn’t see him as the Messiah as others may have)

iii. Probably he was missing something about “the way of God” – practice

3. APPLICATION: P&A are both gracious & truthful, helping him to grow

ii. Facilitating Gospel Growth

1. Apollos goes on to Corinth where he develops a significant ministry

2. Notice: “he helped those who through grace ahd believed.”

3. APPLICATION: This is the heart of ministry.

i. WE cannot create faith. We cannot manufacture it or force it.

ii. We help those whom the HS has changed!

Transition:

Conclusion

The Lord’s Table reminds us that salvation is grace-rooted! But it also reminds us that we are a community, together: “NEW Identity, NEW Community!”