NBBC SS: Acts 18

Introduction: Importantly, Acts 17 forms the background that informs the chapter under consideration.

At the conclusion of Acts 17 we saw those who believed, Dionysius and Damaris; those who rejected the Gospel; and those who wanted to hear more.

We’re going to see this theme of a diversity of responses to the Gospel that prompts us to ask, “How is this possible if the Gospel is true?”

Acts 18:1-17 (Acts 18:1–4) “1 After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.”

What’s incredible fascinating about these first 4 verses are the characters referenced and the level of similarity between them.

Notice that Paul and Aquila and Priscilla are travelers (cf. Ac 18:1-2).

Paul left Athens to come to Corinth.

This couple was forced from Rome.

This event that made them refugees took place in AD 49-50.

The Roman historian Suetonius, references how the Jews were rioting on account of an individual he referred to as Chrestus, like a reference to Jesus Christ.

While it’s beyond our ability to delve further into this significance beyond its impact on this couple, what we see is different people traveling for different purposes.

Paul comes to Corinth voluntarily.

This couple comes as a result of being forces out of Rome against their will.

Notice also that Paul and Aquila share an ethnic heritage: they’re both Jews (cf. Ac 18:2).

Finally, according Acts 18:3, they share the same trade.

All of these similarities prompt us to ask, why would the Holy Spirit point these things out for us?

First, I believe that it makes what Paul does in Ac 18:4 stand out all the more.

The couple came because they were forced to.

Paul came because he was on a mission to proclaim the Gospel wherever he went.

Notice that the emphasis in this verse lies in Paul’s reasoning efforts in the synagogue with the Jews and Greeks.

Are Aquila and Priscilla referenced as undertaking any of these same efforts as Paul?

No.

For all of the things that they have in comfort: travel, heritage, and work, Paul receives the attention in this verse for the work that he does for the Lord.

What we see is Paul doing what the Lord has commanded all of His disciples to do.

As you’re going, make disciples (cf. Mt 28:19).

Paul is undertaking basic life activities.

But he’s also proclaiming God’s Word.

We see Paul doing what faithful Christians do, faithfully serve the Lord in labor and witness.

Brothers and sisters, if the Lord could do this in Paul’s life through leather working in making tents, then He can enable us to be faithful in whatever labor He’s called us to and to reliably witness wherever He’s placed us.

Importantly, how do we handle all of these coincidences between Paul and this couple?

Of all the people that Paul meets in Corinth, they share the same heritage and trade.

This can only be the hand of the Lord.

For Aquila and Priscilla, we can only imagine their devastation in having to uproot and move to Corinth.

To them, it looked like Claudius was in charge.

Yet, we see Paul wind up in Corinth not because of Claudius but because he’s there to evangelize the city.

While Paul and Aquila and Priscilla arrived in Corinth from different starting points, the Lord was in charge of their paths.

Brothers and sisters, wherever we are and however we go there, we can rely on the Lord who leads us to enable us to faithfully labor and witness for Him, as we see in the examples of these tentmakers.

Notice how Paul’s circumstance changes in the next couple of verses.

Acts 18:5–6 “5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.””

Brothers and sisters, notice what it is that Paul does that follows the arrival of Silas and Timothy.

He devotes himself to the Word.

Or, we could say that Paul devoted himself to the study of God’s Word.

The reference to Paul’s activity in testifying to Jesus’ identity is the direct consequence of Paul’s devotion to God’s Word.

In other words, Paul was able to give more time to studying God’s Word for further exposition to his fellow Jews.

It’s important also to recognize that the (N)KJV translates this phrase differently.

Specifically recognizing the direct work of the Spirit in Paul’s life.

However, what’s important to recognize is the suggested relationship between the Spirit and God’s Word as the different translations call attention to.

In other words, where the Spirit is at work, He’s doing so through the Word of God.

And, if there’s devotion to the Word, it’s because that’s how the Spirit works, through God’s Word.

Hence, this result of Paul’s clear exposition of the OT in helping his fellow Jews to recognize Jesus as the Christ, it’s the work of the Spirit producing this.

Significantly, this result came about because of the relief that Silas and Timothy were able to offer to Paul from his tentmaking activities.

Hence, the Lord works through His people to make it possible that God’s servants can dedicate themselves to the work of proclaiming God’s Word.

Importantly, their effort to free Paul to focus on the Word is also a service rendered to the Lord, as if they were proclaiming God’s Word as Paul was.

Brothers and sisters, notice how the relief that Silas and Timothy were able to bring is eclipsed by the response of the Corinthian synagogue members.

They not only rejected Paul and his message but also blasphemed.

The implication is that they rejected and blasphemed Paul and Jesus Who Paul was preaching.

Thus, it’s no wonder that Paul gives the warning that he does in the strictest way possible.

By referencing that statement “Your blood be on your own heads” combined with “I am clean” - Paul is calling attention to their collective guilt as demonstrated through their rejection with prejudice of Paul and his Savior.

While Paul sounds provocative (“I’m going to the Gentiles”), his truth statements are intended to jar his audience into recognizing the seriousness of their behavior.

There’s no way that this audience could have anticipated that their behavior choice would have such consequences.

It’s difficult for us to anticipate the full consequences of our sinful behavior.

As Paul’s experience demonstrates, while one change in our circumstances can seemingly go positive in sharing the Gospel, rejection is just on the horizon.

However, that rejection evidences the hard heart of those who have chosen to not believe.

As Paul exemplifies, we also need to faithfully help others understand the significance of their choice to remain in unbelief.

However, as we’ve seen before, the rejection by one group does not negate the ongoing mission.

Acts 18:7–11 “7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

What I find fascinating is the link between Titius and the v. 5.

Silas and Timothy come on the scene and Paul is aided.

Now, Paul meets Titius and is further aided.

We’re seeing the Lord provide for Paul’s needs in furtherance of the Lord’s purpose for Paul’s Gospel ministry.

Hence, the Lord’s providence in action gives us confidence to seek Him for the needs that we have to be faithful to what the Lord has given us.

Additionally, we see people trusting the Lord.

Seeing the ministry of the Word here and its success, we’re tempted to compare these results with what Paul initially experienced that prompted him to somberly warn the other Jews.

However, this prompts us to remember that rejection is prompted from a hard, unbelieving heart.

Whereas, the “success” here is attributed to the working of the Spirit.

It’s not about the particular method that we employ or the kind of speech that we use.

It’s about relying on the Lord to break through the heart of unbelief to transform it by the Word through the Spirit.

Another interesting note is what the Lord does next.

On the seeming heels of success, the Lord makes a statement concerning His presence that guarantees His protection to give Paul confidence to continue proclaiming the Word.

I’m reminded of Elijah following the showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel and how the Lord visits him to encourage him.

Further, the Lord’s message to Paul has a ring of Joshua 1 to it.

Within that context, Joshua was on the edge of the Promised Land and doing what the Lord had given him to do in the conquest of Canaan.

Here, Paul needed this because he was afraid and the Lord had further plans for Paul in Corinth.

This is not an absolute guarantee of exemption from hardship.

In fact, in the next section, we’re going to see a threat to this promise.

Before turning to the next section, it’s important also to reflect on what the Lord means by His statement of having many people in Corinth.

It could mean that there are people there who have trusted the Lord.

This could be true on account of the fact that Crispus and his family just converted to Christ.

However, the use of the term many implies more than just one’s household.

It could also mean that the Lord is revealing to Paul that He will be saving many people in Corinth.

Only the Lord could make this statement if He is the One in charge of salvation.

And, that’s what we’ve seen all along.

Look at how this message impacts Paul.

He stays there for a year and a half.

This encouraged Paul to have a great deal of confidence.

Brothers and sisters, this is what God’s Word does for us.

It’s our confidence to serve the Lord.

It’s our confidence to serve the Lord because it reminds us of what is true, that He is with us.

Paul is going to need this truth more than ever in light of what happens next.

Acts 18:12–17 “12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.”

What’s fascinating about this section is how Gallio dismissed the concern of the Jews before allowing Paul to defend himself.

Unfortunately, while Paul was spared, that does not mean that all were exempt from harm.

Given that it’s a year and a half later, it’s very likely that Sosthenes is an entirely different person who had take over from Crispus (BKC).

While it’s unclear if Sosthenes had any relationship with Christians, it may be that he was beaten because he was Jewish and we’re seeing the anti-semitism from the beginning of the chapter with Aquila and Priscilla play out further here.

However, notice what it is that Paul does next.

Acts 18:18–21 “18 Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow. 19 They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but taking leave of them and saying, “I will return to you again if God wills,” he set sail from Ephesus.”

While we’re told that Paul will leave, we’re actually told that Paul chose to stay several days longer.

The only way that Paul would make this choice is if he was still confident in the Lord’s Word that he received that prompted his decision to stay in Corinth for a year and a half.

Notably, Priscilla and Aquila travel with him, which is going to factor significantly in the last section that we’re going to consider this morning.

Let’s talk for a moment about Paul’s making a vow and having shaved his head in demonstration of such.

Importantly, the passage does not identify Paul’s reason for making a vow.

However, Acts uses this term only twice.

In the second instance, in Acts 21, James the leader of the Jerusalem church encourages Paul to tag along with some men who were completing their vow and offer the associated sacrifices at the Temple.

Therefore, what this may be is an indication of Paul’s commitment to not intentionally be an offense to his fellow Jews but in demonstration of his statement in 1 Corinthians, to remove cultural barriers when he is sharing the Gospel.

Further, given that Paul will sail to Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast and head to Antioch, he may have intended to complete his vow on this trip and stop by Jerusalem.

Importantly, the people of Ephesus wanted Paul to stay longer.

Given what Paul has experienced, this must have been a relief.

However, it was not enough to keep him there given his hasty departure, which may be related to his desire to complete his vow.

Acts 18:22–23 “22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch. 23 And having spent some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.”

Given what Paul experienced, how do we imagine that Paul would have strengthened the disciples?

More than likely, given his recent trip, he’s probably recounting the events wherein the Gospel met with both resistance and reception to highlight the sovereign Lord’s working.

This would have been through developing his relationship with Aquila and Priscilla.

The arrival of Silas and Timothy.

The use of Titius Justus to met Paul’s needs.

The belief and baptism of Crispus and the reception in Ephesus.

Truthfully, in recounting these things, I’m reminded of how the Lord is work in our church in various ways that we seek to recount on Wednesday evenings.

What’s fascinating is how the camera focus moves from Paul to another preacher.

Acts 18:24–28 “24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.”

While Apollos comes to the forefront, what do we learn of Aquila and Priscilla here?

The Lord uses them to instruct Apollos.

If the Lord uses this couple to instruct Apollos doctrinally speaking, then what does that suggest about this couple?

They also have turned to the Lord.

Though there’s nothing specifically referenced about their belief, their modeling what Paul modeled at the beginning of the passage in making disciples.

Additionally, Apollos demonstrates a teachable spirit that shows the Lord at work in his heart producing humility to receive God’s Word and continue to grow in his understanding.

Furthermore, notice the result of Aquila’s and Priscilla’s investment into Apollos.

The statement about him so sounds similar to Paul.

I believe that this is the Spirit pointing us to looking at the two and comparing them.

Not for the purpose of critiquing one or the other.

Instead, to reflect the influence of Paul on Aquila and Priscilla who have invested in Apollos who is proclaiming Jesus as the Christ, just like Paul was doing.

In other words, we’re seeing replication.

Conclusion: Brothers and sisters, we have seen the Lord’s sovereignty on display by bringing together strangers who had much in common but for initially different purposes. While Paul’s message met with resistance and reception, the Lord is always the one responsible for bringing people to Himself, which, when the church hears about the Lord’s work, they are strengthened in the ministry circumstances that the Lord has called them to. Importantly, we all continue to learn from God’s Word and it’s important to continue to grow in humility because we can’t possibly understand all of God’s Word on our own.