47. Faithful Protector

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Lesson

Recap

Last week was a whirlwind of a story. Paul just left Athens and made his way to Corinth, and man was the city ever wicked. Idols all around, and the immorality was through the roof. This was a low point in Paul’s ministry life, and we almost get the impression that he was ready to throw in the towel for good.

But God came to encourage him in vs. 9-10

What’s the first thing He told Paul in vs. 9? (Do not be afraid)

Instead, I want you to speak up, Paul. I’m strengthening you to do this.

Did Paul have good reasons to be scared in Corinth? (Absolutely, the Corinthians were known for their immorality, and Paul knew it would be a battle to serve amongst them and start a church.)

What promise is given in vs. 10? (I am with you, no one will attack you to hurt you)

Why would this be so encouraging if we were in Paul’s case? (You’re practically invincible, if God is on my side, who can touch me?!!)

This promise right here is the bedrock of today’s lesson. We’re about to look at a time where God directly answered His promise to protect Paul.

So let’s take a look at this story together…

Vs. 12

Acts 18:12 NKJV

12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat,

Who do we have here? (Gallio)

He’s the proconsul of Achaia (their region of the Roman Empire). As a proconsul, Gallio was in charge of this whole region.

We actually know a whole lot about this guy even outside of Scripture. Looking at some historical documents outside the Bible around that time, Gallio is mentioned quite a few times to have been in this position of power. It was said that he was proconsul when Claudius Caesar was in emperor. Which means we can narrow down this very chapter in Acts to have happened in 53 or 54 A.D.

Now why do I bring all this up???

What do your unsaved friends tell you about the events of the Bible? (They never happened, history doesn’t back up its claims)

Historians (Both believers and non believers) can’t deny the history of the Bible. Take the crucifixion for example, virtually no one denies that Jesus died on the cross, there’s just way too much evidence to deny that…

The Bible is no myth detached from history. Gallio is only one example of many of historical people mentioned in Scripture. The Bible you hold in your hands is reliable, and its stories can be proven true by history.

Second reason, we discover what year it was at this point in Acts. It had been nearly (or more than) 20 years since Jesus died and rose again.

So, we’ve got Gallio, he’s in power…

And the unbelieving Jews show up again, what do they do? (Rose up against Paul. Should we be surprised?)

They think it was worth taking a crack at Paul, so it says they “rose up against Paul”

The word “rose up” don’t suggest a gentle situation. “Paul, would you care to join us at Gallio’s hall?” In rising up, the Jews are al working together to harm him. “GET OVER HERE! You’re going to have a visit with ‘ole Gallio! He’ll decide what to do with you!!”

Where do they take Paul? (Judgment/Bema seat)

Photos: Located right in the city square, it was a very public space.

Whatever the verdict would be on Paul, plenty of people would see it.

Why do you think this matters?

What happens if Gallio finds Paul guilty and outlaws his preaching? (Precedent is made over all the empire, Christianity is probably stamped out)

But on the other hand, what happens if Paul is proven innocent and let free? (Then Christianity is good in Roman eyes, I can preach freely across Rome!)

Vs. 13

What’s the Jews’ accusation in vs. 13?

Acts 18:13 NKJV

13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”

Is there some truth to this? (It depends how you look at it)

What matters is what they mean by “the law”

It can be Moses’ law or Roman law.

Did Paul teach people against the Old Testament? (No, he constantly used it to show how it pointed to Jesus)

I think they were accusing him of breaking Roman Law.

History:

Judaism was recognized as an official religion in the Roman empire, you could legally practice Judaism. These Jews are arguing that Christianity is not recognized by Rome, that it’s a whole other religion, therefore the worshipping Christians are violating Roman law.

Rome did in fact outlaw proselytizing Roman citizens by unrecognized religions. But the thing is here, Gallio didn’t think this as a new religion, he saw it as a branch of Judaism; which is already accepted by Rome.

They’re looking for a “restraining order” type of thing from Gallio.

Vs. 14

Paul is there, listening on to these lies from the Jews, and he was just about ready to open his mouth and build a beautiful defence…

Does he get that chance in vs. 14? (nope)

Acts 18:14 NKJV

14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you.

Gallio is like, “Look, if Paul had done something wicked or were some villain, it would be a different story. But what you’re bringing to me is matters of your own concern, not mine.”

What Law was Gallio in charge of? (Roman law)

So, if Paul went doing mass murder in the name of Jesus, would this have concerned Gallio? (Yeah!)

But Gallio is saying, he did nothing crazy, nothing evil, why should I be hearing this?

Vs. 15

Based on vs. 15, what does Gallio suspect their accusation is about?

Acts 18:15 NKJV

15 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.”

He’s convinced it’s a theological debate.

The Jews were saying, “Hey! These Christians are another religion, and Rome hasn’t approved them yet. So Paul is an illegal preacher that you need to deal with!”

But Gallio sees it differently. He thinks Christianity is a branch of Judaism. So right now, he thinks they’re trying to waste his time with debates over theology.

Ill: Imagine going to court in SJ with a Muslim

- Muslim accuses you, “Your honour, This man says that Jesus is God in the flesh. But that’s not true!”

Q: What do you think the judge will say?

“Fight amongst yourselves, that’s got nothing to do with me!”

Gallio obviously saw Christianity to be a part of Judaism, making it legal for Christians to worship. In his eyes, the Jews were responsible for hashing out their differences.

Vs. 16

So, what does he do in vs. 16? (Kicks them out)

Vs. 17

Now something pretty shady happens in vs. 17…

Acts 18:17 NKJV

17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.

The Greeks grab the ruler of the Synagogue, and beat him up…

What does Gallio do? (Turn the blind eye)

Was this legal? (No way, this is so ironic; now the judge is the criminal!)

Paul leaves this trial as a free man, untouched even though the Jews wanted him gone.

Remember the promise God gave to Paul in vs. 10? (I will be with you to protect you)

Did God deliver on that promise?

Who did He use to protect Paul? (This pagan judge Gallio! He’s now a criminal, and he obviously doesn’t love the Lord, but God uses that man anyway!)

God will always answer His promises, and He will even use the least likely person to do this sometimes…

Can we trust in God’s promises? (We sure can)

Vs. 18

Paul stayed there for a while then he sailed for Syria…

Map

Who did he take with him? (Priscilla & Aquila)

Once again, they are incredibly important people in God’s plan here…

Can you spot the funny detail at the end of vs. 18? (He shaved his head)

This is kind of random at first… Why do this?

Nazirite vow…Heading to Jerusalem…hair thrown to burnt offering…

Vs. 19

What happens when Paul arrives in Ephesus? (Leaves Priscilla & Aquila there, makes his way to the synagogues to teach)

But Paul’s plan was not to stay there for very long…

Because in vs. 20, people wanted him to stay…

Acts 18:20 NKJV

20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent,

Based on vs. 21, why does Paul want to leave so quickly? (Get to the feast in Jerusalem)

Acts 18:21 NKJV

21 but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.

What’s the key word in what Paul told the Ephesians? (God willing)

Do any of you know exactly what plans the Lord has for your life?

You guys are getting close to graduation, would any of you LOVE to know what’s next? (We’d pay big money to know)

But the key is the Lord’s will.

How do we know God’s will for our lives?

I’m convinced that in order to know God’s will for the future, we’ve got to obey God’s will for us now.

(Assign verses to teens)

Romans 12:2 NKJV

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

17 pray without ceasing,

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 NKJV

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

If we are faithful to God in these things now, He will make our path clear for us. Not that we’ll get a sign in the sky “You will be a pharmacist.” But we can be assured God will direct our next steps as we follow Him now.

Vs. 22-23

Here in vs. 22-23, Paul is wrapping up his second missionary journey, going from church to church strengthening believers.

Application

God will always be with us, He made that promise

As we do God’s known will for our lives now, He will direct our steps in the unknown parts of our future.