Commit to the Longterm work of Discipleship & Christian Co-working!
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
It was this situation that made Corinth great, so that it commanded the great trade route between Asia and Rome. This accounts for the mixed population, for ships from all ports docked in its harbors. In Athens, Paul met the Greek mythological gods, to Corinth flocked many men of varied religions, nationalities, languages. It was not accidental that many in the Corinthian congregation spoke with tongues. Corinth had several temples that were devoted to Egyptian deities, which fact is explained by its extensive trade with Alexandria
Focus on evangelism, how to share Jesus with people who know Scriptures and those who don’t. You could get the feeling that God calls us to joyless duty of individually like JWs knock on as many doors, get them to join us. Almost seems like evangelism, but proselytizing, for its own sake -. If you want to share Jesus authentically and for the persons good, not just your duty, or to grow our church; you must see that the work of evangelism while important - and people aren’t saved without it -whether through preaching, or program, like Alpha or your home bible study, or invitation of friend, that all this sharing the gospel is part of a bigger picture. John Piper has pointed out that evangelism exists because worship doesn’t. Our goal in sharing the good news of Jesus - however we witness, it is that they would be connected to God in a living worshipping relationship.
He would say, worship fuels evangelism and it is also the goal of evangelism.
Although it was a wealthy city, we must not forget that wealth implied many slaves and many poor people below the wealthy stratum. The congregation founded by Paul was drawn chiefly from these two classes of people.
its pride was trade and the arts. Corinthian brass was famous, and Corinthian capitals and pillars are still used in architecture
Wicked city: “Corinthian” came to mean a profligate. Κορινθιάζομαι, “to Corinthianize,” meant to practice whoredom; Κορινθιαστής = a whoremonger; Κορινθία κόρη (girl) = a courtesan. In the old city the worship of Venus boasted of 1,000 female slaves who were free to strangers; Paul’s description of pagan vice, , was written in Corinth. One of the great attractions were the Isthmian games, the custody of which was restored to the new city. Greeks and Romans flocked to the contest, and the mob came in crowds
Focus on evangelism, how to share Jesus with people who know Scriptures and those who don’t. You could get the feeling that God calls us to joyless duty of individually like JWs knock on as many doors, get them to join us. Almost seems like evangelism, but proselytizing, for its own sake -. If you want to share Jesus authentically and for the persons good, not just your duty, or to grow our church; you must see that the work of evangelism while important - and people aren’t saved without it -whether through preaching, or program, like Alpha or your home bible study, or invitation of friend, that all this sharing the gospel is part of a bigger picture. John Piper has pointed out that evangelism exists because worship doesn’t. Our goal in sharing the good news of Jesus - however we witness, it is that they would be connected to God in a living worshipping relationship.
He would say, worship fuels evangelism and it is also the goal of evangelism.
After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
Fall of 51 to spring of 53 in Corinth, decree just for 20,000 Jews of Rome, but go to Corinth, orignally from Balck Sea province , show up in Ephesus… After Claudius dies, Jews did return and when Paul gets there in over half of them converted to Christianity! Possible that Hebrews written to these by Apoloos after the death of Paul
Equally important as the goal and the fuel of evangelism is discipleship. Remember the great commission - you as a community with my Spirit, my resurrection life - GO and MAKE DISCIPLES - do this by going out there, baptizing and teaching.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
v.3 Aquilla takes him in - tent maker = leather portable tents or clot woven out of goat’s hair.
Paul in his call - revealed chosen instrument to make known the name of Jesus to Gentiles, to nations, to KINGS, and the Jews.
Key Truth: Commited Christian friending is the context and the fuel which the Lord blesses to reach out tot he lost.
But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
Sense that making known the name of Jesus among the nations, and to kings, as well as the Jews, whole life of discipleship and new community they are called to the King and His Kingdom . Rather than focus again on how Paul shared the gospel here, Luke focuses on the community of believers, these Christian friends working together , that makes the evangelism possible. Key Truth: Committed Christian friending is the context and the fuel which the Lord blesses to reach out to the lost.
Examine first the context of this Christian friendship out of which evangelism arises - whether much or whether little success.
Full write to marry and get church supprot in , but indifenite stay and occupation… chose not to… Every Jewish boy was taught a trade in order to make him independent. Rabbi Juda said, “He that teacheth not his son a trade teacheth him to be a thief.” And the Talmud: “What is commanded of a father toward his son? To circumcise him, to teach him the law, to teach him a trade.”
Examine first th context of friendship, Christian friendship out of which evangelism arises - wthether much or whtehre little success.
v.5 Silas comes from Philippi, Timothy from Thessalonica = disicpleship after peole make a decision… baptized..do we…; after weeks of working, now press Jews for decision by exclusive teaching, holding to WOrd - will they acept Jesus as MESSIAH!
A1. Notice Paul is by himself still as he decides on his own to leave Athens,(map) less fruit, but probably stayed to ground them in the faith. Still sore from beating and being chased - maybe a little weary like Elijah after show down with priests of Baal, stood and defend Christ and the resurrection higest seat of intellectual judgment. Only few kilometers presses on to another stratgeic city - THis one so different. Like waking u in Barrie but stepping out of subway at Dundas Square Totornto - rich business men, , sexualorientations of every stripe , in your face adds, prostitutes, the poor, the finanacially enslaved working two or three jobs .
Not hstoric builings and culture like Athens , no building more than a hundered years old, destoryed by Romans and recently rebuilt as capital , with its two great port . Grown to 20x the size of Athens, just counting free citizens, made up of Greeks, Italians, Roman Army vets, business and commerce. Nearly 1/2 million slaves at a time int he city 70,000. Port city, for 500 years a Greek word to Corthianize - height in Paul’s day. Usual Greek gods and tempoles, every night, 1000 prostitutes came down the Acrocorinth from tempole of Aphrodite free.
Corinth not intellectual cetner, but commerical. Not hstoric builings and culture like Athens , no building more than a hundered years old, destoryed by Romans and recently rebuilt as capital , with its two great port . Grown to 20x the size of Athens, just counting free citizens, made up of Greeks, Italians, Roman Army vets, business and commerce. Nearly 1/2 million slaves at a time int he city 70,000. Port city, Cechrea, for 500 years a Greek word to Corthianize - height in Paul’s day. Usual Greek gods and tempoles, every night, 1000 prostitutes came down the Acrocorinth from tempole of Aphrodite free.
“shake garments” is for indoors, dust off feet in the street, same gesture - no exasperation but deep emotion - that just like dust remains, testimony that a wtiness like the ust was duly delivered but not received in faith, but wwitness testifyies to JUDGE,
A recent visitor on special tours clay replicsas of all the body parts diseased that Asclepius brought healing. Temple called Asclepion… So many sexaul transmitted diseases. Cess pool of city, one of the welathiest and most immoral of anceint cities: . Wh would think that more would turn here, than in Athens. How would Paul begin, how would we here in our city?
= not curses but a disclaimer of guilt on Paul’s part… they reject Christ,but damnation is on their part not Paul = blood - their own blood on their own hands, like they are committing suicide…
And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,
Have you heard of this couple? I wonder if there are any couples here known for their business and for their team work faith and service. Luke is careful to record some key details - they are alreay Christians having been driven out of Rome by Empror Clausidus’ decreee. But the husband Aquilla is thoroughly Jewish from W of there Norther Asia Minor, Pontus b the Black Sea. And Priscillla the wife, femine name for Prisca a leading family in Rome. Of the many time listed in the Bible 6 of them her name comes first.. enterprising woman and servant of the LORD. The two of them have it would seem an international tent-making business. NT scholars say likely cetnres in Rome, Corinth, Ephsus. Al those times mentioned in the Bible, they are minsitering to Paul, not Paul to them. Perhaps Paul seeks them out because for the first itme, therei are Christians int he city he is reaching out to. But notice what Auqilla and Priscilla do:
Like at Pisidian ANtioch great turning point to Gentiles…
and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
v.7 Titus Justus - coloni, a man of prominence, home big enough for Gnetile church to meet, adjoined with synagogue .. family of potters many of its member prominent military and cvil positions
Hospitality in sharing home, in sharing work. You can bet fireside conversations after working in the market place, They are both new to Corinth, but A&P knew Rome,the centre of the world, place Paul convinced share the gospel. And they go to Synagogue together. Though Paul would later to say to the Corinthian he should be free to marry and to receive church’s support, chose to work.
v.8 Crispus one of synagogue rulers, with whole house - baptized by paul hismelf. But most pagan with few Jews. Contiuous influx of new members all from heathenism - no reason not to belive theese to were not households with them!
Never forget a faithful coupe who ran a nursing home back in childhood church, every Sunday night after service, have the pastor and his wife over - alter suffered heartattacks struggle in ministry - but theat hospitality enabled him to serve with joy. Have you ever had that feeling comoing home - like Robert Frost - place have to take you in, Or that feeling when a kid and sick astay home and mother takes care of you.
v.9 Seems like time to move on - but no another consideration influence = rumblings of hostile Jews - he was the target why not move on before they break out here too!
For these short week s developing a friendship like that were they would take care of each other.. as brothers and sisters in Christ. Do you have someones you care for like that here - enables ministry in that persons life, and it is ministry in Christ name to that person. Couple of cold water to my little one, Who are my mother and brothers - friends do the will of God. Church family is the launch pad for ministry and evangelism. Remarkable but this couple is going to keep on with their business but serve the church in remarkable ways in Ephesus Rome and here in Corinth. So tight is there friendship with Paul leave to 1.5 years later. Later as Paul writes from Corinth to Rome listen to how he describes his dear friends - whom he dares to share ministry with:
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
But A&Q are not the only ones launching pal into this Corinthian ministry. It takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a church to launch a gospel ministry. And that is going to require more hospitality.
THE PLOT THICKENS
ii. Who meets Paul in Corinth. There is Timothy coming from Philippi, and there is Timothy coming from Thessalonica. Paul had to leave, but listen gospel ministry can’t happen just by a drive-by witnessing opportunity. Some turns to the LORD, and something is needed that NA evangelical churches have struggled with. Go to Billy Graham rally, go to Serve, commit to LORD, hear the gospel at Winter Fair- but follow-up of local church teaching, fellowship and worship - Thessalonica persecution - and both places so may questions about Christa’s 2nd coming, how to to be found living until the. Silas and Timothy commit to that work of discipleship. And Paul with those new friends, read in his first letter that he sat down to write back to them, he is so anxious for how they are doing. Jesus says this is the difference between false religion and false prophet and the real McCoy - The hired hands, the religious teaches just doing their job, don’t care for the sheep, - enemy comes hard times come - leave - But Jesus and those who will lead in his behalf, not only know their names, and they his voice, he sticks with and protects and exercises ongoing care. Who are you tracking with here?
I am reminded of Mexcan tribe translation - pain in my heart for you, only way to translate our word agape love. Well, do you have pain in your heart for any one hear. Are you anxious for how anyone is doing here? Do you dare to ask them questions, do you give a report to someone here about how you are really doing. That’s what Timothy comes bringing … Listen to from
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?
I want to ask you again, also who are you rejoicing over right now? Any one with faith and love that is strong? Thomas Watson, says the first grace that Satan like s to attack is the grace of faith. IF true faith can’t kill it, but he can stop its growth. But friendship like this ready to meet the trials. And as we do ready to minsiter!
iii. But what does Silar from Phillipi come bringing , something else so essential to gospel minsitry. THough Paul exercised freedom to work and not burden on this missionary journey. At Philppi they hear of what he’s going throug in sharing Jesus, and they take up an offering. And now look what happens:
When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
The Lord detains him, cf. with , , other instance when the LORD or his Spirit direct Paul where not to go= LORD”’s immediate divine guidance, work of Jesus from heaven, not just our whims… even though now left to depend on GOd’s providiential guidance which opens doors here and closes elesewhere = still Christ acting!
Whether from the money he saved from his work or from this gift, Paul with his companions on his side, and we will find them later at the port cities neighbouring Corinth - he feels the same urgency that the Lord felt going to the Cross - I have a baptism to be baptized with ,and I am constrained until I do it. Same word Luke uses for Paul now in Corinth, occupied with the Word - got to tell them that Messiah, the Christ is Jesus Empowering as the church shares in the vision and work of sharing the gospel.
Christ’s command, present imperative in negative command, = stop an action already begun = Paul was fearing he had stayed to long - thinking if stay bring damage on young church here. ie. Like leaving Thessolnica but leaving TImothy and writing him eager to hind out how matters stood 1 tHESS 3:1-6 . Learned suffereed but remained firm = Tiothy reported ;
Regular tithes for kingdom work in our ongregation and denomiation, but what about extra gift enable a missionary to be fired up and deobvted to vangelism like Paul.
But we’re still not done with how Christian friendship is essential to gospel minstiry and outreach. Look at
Lord says don’t stay quiet and don’t move on. GO on speaking (duartive) and not FALL (ingressive, punticular) SILENT. Of course relative silence so viciuous enemies hear littl e fo his work - not offensive in messegneer…NOT ORDER TO THROW CAUTION TO WIND -
But assurance, I AM WITH YOU - no ill come to congregation from his opeen ononig work
And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.
IV Like Pisdian Antioch - goes to the Jews first, but they turn on him , and there is a Gentile Godfearers - who having heard the gospel these first weeks, and Titius having a house just next door to that Jewish place of worship - he apparently a wealthy man, with a room could be used for banquets, he let’s the new Christian church meet in his home. What an offer and and as he gives space for ministry to happen. And now non-Jews, Gentiles who haven’t heard the message come too. The believing Jews from the synagogue including one of their leaders, Crispus - all meeting at Titius Justus house!
KEY v.10 For I myself (emphatic) am with you! = of course Paul knew proimse of but now Jesus speaks it not you plural , but you singular Paul, now in this time!
Now this is a wonderful picture. We have to piece it together with other letters where names are mentioned, public works official of the city joins, … May have a season feel so ineffective, maybe just growing in baby steps, maybe in old age, contacts window getting smaller - but give yourself like this in Christian friendship, open self up to share ministry you do have - gifts to hose serving all essential.
We too must seek out this promises from Jesus - new difficult situations, where we need strengthening power more than at other times !
What a promise - despite bold utterance not one will set uopn him and succeed in ill treating him.
But now we must go deeper. If that as the breadth of Christian friendship that empowers evangelism and gospel ministry. I want you to see the depth of Christian friendship that fuels both outreach and discipleship. I also want you to see how connected this is tho the proimses of Jesus to you!
Now hwy this promise? Just for Paul to be sfae and a way from threat, no threat will still be there, but assurance that worth facing it , protected in it: why?
But now wem ust go deeper. If that as the bradth of Christian firendship that empowers evangleism and gospel mistniry. I want you to see the depth of Christain firendhisp that fuels both outreach and discipleship. I also want you to see how connectd this is tho the promss of Jesus to you!
for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
asdf
B. The Crisis of Paul’s Weakness - Reveals the Strength of Christ’s working in us for Mission?
Armed Jesus with confidence too - omniscience Other sheep have I, “literally “much people is to me” - absolute decreee of election - press on!
for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
Paul of course had survived a stoning, mob violence, trial by magistrates in Phillipi, religious persecution of Jews in Thesslanica and Berea , summoned before Areopagus, And it seemed every time the gospel took root, Satan was attacking right there - and he had to run. And it would seem that the Apostle was bone weary. Not only that. Just as church taking root, Paul probably fearing what he knew would inevitably come next - wrath of these Jews, stir up a crowd to get him banished, he thinks to himself - I’m done battling here, I ‘m getting out, I’m done. Not only hard, but also trouble I will cause them if I stay.
Like Elijah can’t see to rebound after these power encounters and Jezebel’s threats. And you know the saying, Even the best of men, are men at best. And as the Lord addresses him in those first words, we see what Paul is dealing with. Fear. Discouragement was bad, anxiety for new converts and this growing church of Christian friends tough. But fear gripped him It happens to all of us. Paul though he knew what was coming, and so he borrowed tomorrows worries and brought them in today . Father in NYC reformed pastor lost three girls, two f them as adult children. ie. Lincoln circuit judge, cross river. Methodist circuit rider, know and it and passed it may time. Secret I don’t cross until I’m there. Or Like Thomas Carlyle- quiet room - so productive, but neighbour rooster, complain. Only 3 x a night. But do you know the anxious thoughts I have waiting for those three times! Do you know that paralyzing anticipation of future fears. Fear will paralyze you from ministry.
How can we keep on keeping on in the work the Lord has called for us. Message in this vision. A vision once told Paul to come over - to help. Now a vision calling him to stay. While today we can’t rely on dreams visions and special revelations, and must instead rely on God’s principles in his word, with a faith-filled reading of the Providences- of the daily doors opened and closed in our lives. We must never lose sight of that that ministry that God calls us to whether good works or witness, or actual evangelism; are prepared in advance by Christ, and it is Christ by His Spirit doing those works through us!
v.11 Not just stayed, but like God sitting with ark, like Rabbi sitting on teaching stool and God’s people attending in learning standing, Paul sat stayed 1.5 yearsTEACHING among them. Paul remains here, but at ports ilke Cenchraea gospel spreading - Sila and TImothy active beyond the confinces of the city, all the saints in Achaia… teahcing at Titus Jsustus house, living w A&P …
Need this shot in the arm, that God work through our fears and weaknesses - not to give up the battle!
not house to house like private teaching in Ephesus - but like Jesus said in come to village find a worhty person stay - until you leave
Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
Like Jesus said in
How does God bring you from defeat and discouragement and giving up - and wrestle victory out of our weakness and defeats? Not a promise that won’t face reproach , nor not suffer attacks, But though persecuted won’t be destroyed, Though hard-pressed not beaten down, though anxious , not given to Despair.
And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.
And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
Jesus says stay, and with words from the great commission ego emi - but now turned singular and personal. I will be with you always to the end of the Age. I will bring bout my kingdom and until it comes in fulness, not only will my eye be one you and every detail of your life … but I myself by my Spirit will be with you in trouble - to bless . If God brings you to it, he will bring me through it.
Ministry involves dearest friendships - so close was Paul’s attachment and their with him, that Aquila and Priscilla went along with him
You and I need to be armed with that assurance if we are to press on, if we are to risk and dare serve other in Christ’s name.
Need vision of Hildebert Lavardin- “God is over all things, under all things; outside all; within but not enclosed; without but not exclude; above but not raised up; below but not depressed; wholly above, presiding; wholly beneath, sustaining; wholly within, filling”
Hildebert of Lavardin… John Wesley’ dying words, “The best of al God is with us.
MB best ministry when - not going well in my life, know its power of God.
Need to trust the LORD protection, God’s proportions trials to the strength of the sufferer and will not expose his people to any temptation not able to bear.
Need to ptrust the LORd protection, God’s proportions tirals to the strength of the sufferere and will not expose his people to any tmeptation not able to bear.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
So like Elijah, like Paul, like you and me to our community of faith, stick with it, to our task in service, and in outreach .... Exp His presence, his perfect love that drives away fear!
And why? Let me give you a reason that Jesus gives and it has to do with his electing love in this fallen world, even a in a city as hopeless as Corinth.
for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
Your work and my work i the Lord is not gong to be in vain. Nor will your witness nor your evangelis, why? I have many in this city .. same words as - I have my sheep not of this fold yet to come in…
I have many in this city .. same worsds as - I have my sheep not of this fold eyt to come it…
Doctrine of election is not a hinderance for evangelism but the very grounding 0- why we go!
So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
These Cornthians to come in, didn’t have any philosophical readiness or moral readiness… Jesus brought into the orbit of sinners - he can have mercy on hwhom he will he will drwaw. It our to be faihtful in witnewss and to see sovereignly using us as His means of brings salvaion.
Not better , not more ready Listen to how Paul descrbed it to the Cornithians. He lists all sorts of wicedness, people who cannot and will not enter the kingdom f God, but then he says:
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
But now they were called. People like .. Erasteus, Gaius and Stpehanus, Fortanues And Acharicus.. Paul has the truth of Jesus message burned into his soul and chooses to stay … and he writes later those Corinthians, don’t ever give up … He says the Risen Jesus is with you in any gospel work you do. Paul says to them, the Risen Christ, resurrection chapter
Illustration: Most unique book for bedtime reading - Calvin and His Friends - not just ideas, Frnech Refuggees sold books for, found lodging , holed up together, chased out of Genevea - stay with in two places… writing music with Louis Ourgoius… That’s the typoe fo relationship Aposatle Paul had with many but especially with this couple:
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
Erasteus, Gaius and Stpehanus, Fortanues And Acharicus.. Song: Fear not I am with you… And pual chodsing to stay and obeservig the truth of Crhsits rosies, will say to them, the Risen Christ, resurrection chapter
THink of church planting seems to me team approach, whether from a congregation , or estalbished relationship with new believers… Think of those you serve with here … Remarkable book by Ken Smith - “with me” Navigators - how gospel shared.. in our homes ie son to father - change the oil , mother to daughter - but bor ans sister in Christ too!
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
v.12 Gallio - Lucius Junius Gallio - adopted name when frined of his father took him in a Roman rhetor… son of famous lawyer in Spain, , did go to rearanged Athen,s now imperial not senatorial city, so a procusl but no record until 1909 whitish grye limestone inscprition by Delphi letter from Emporor Claudius memorialized “Lucius Junius Gallio, my friend and proconsul of Achaaia year 52! An office on ly held for a year or at most two - Hapneing May 52
Church not fullly formed and Christ in mercy would protect it from crushing perecution it couldnt’ carry!
And so the mob comes, the trial gets under way, brought to the public court in the city swuare, Jews makes their accusations, not against Caeaser or Roman law, but not follwoing Jewish law withch has privelleged status. And pual is prepare d to opn his moth, But new consul, whom Jesus so numerous thin gthey can use, he says not going to play your game, you settle this ha
Tactics of Philipi and Thessalonica Jews … form a crowd and seize Paul, bring him tot he ORATOR’s PLATFORM, dais for the seat of the judge. Jews think becaus of their numbers they can push new proconsul to punish and banish Paul!
So now Paul faces a procnousl, like Sergio Paulus of Cyprus for a second time, Chage this time not like Philippi or Thessalonica, no political crime
Jews were a religio licta -freely practiced and privelege of making converst just not of Roman citizens. Jews charge Paul with not practicing Jewish religon in proper way - deviating from Jewish way of worshipping God that was sanctioned by Roman law
But God has other plans for Paul in Cornith, this Roman proconsul, just came from Rome, where Jews had to be forced out, now starting his position, stirring up whoel crowd of trouble, even if real injury or rascally evil - imopostion of Jews on him -no ! = repeat of Rome, n”A judge of these things - NO!”
But they wouldn’t leave, their spokeman stays, must be driven out, spokeman beaten
Message is keep on keeping on.
Message is keep on keeping on.
Be our next theme as he goes to Ephesus - how we are to respond to persecution!