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ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 2 - Reports About Preaching Among the Gentiles and the Foundation of Churches From Antioch to Rome - Through the Ministry of Paul the Apostle, Commissioned by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13 - 28)
C - The Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36 - 18:22)

8. The Founding of the Church in Corinth (Acts 18:1-17)


ACTS 18:1-4
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. 2 He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers. 4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

The wise method of preaching, one which takes into account the religiosity of the people, then using it as its starting point for preaching Christ, was not of much help to Paul in Athens. The Greek philosophers derided Christ’s resurrection in the same spirit in which the high council of the Jews had derided Christ and His salvation. So Paul left this proud city, according to his Lords’ instructions (Matthew 10:14). Jewish lawyers and Greek philosophers together were sick at the same hospital: The first wanted to fulfill the law of God in their own strength, the latter purposed to know God by way of their own imaginations. Both are impossible. The lawyers did not want a salvation freely given, and the philosophers did not want to bring their minds under inspired revelation. They were selfish and proud, and had willfully kept themselves from the mercy of God.

Carnal man cannot recognize the true God unless he has been enlightened by His Spirit. He cannot fulfill the law of God except by loving and obeying this Spirit. The lawyer remains hardened in his inmost being, while the philosopher stays foolish and ignorant, in spite of his fanciful thoughts. Paul, who had been derided, left the city of idols and thinkers deeply affected. He had sensed beforehand that these waves of atheistic spirits would cause great damage and corruption throughout the course of church history. These were spirits which would not submit to God.

Paul found good when the living Lord guided him to a certain Jewish couple, one that did not talk much, but prayed, believed, and worked with their own hands. It is most probable that they had become Christians in Rome. When an official persecution began in the capital city against the Jews, during the time of Claudius Caesar (A.D. 41-54), these tentmakers fled to Corinth, a prosperous commercial port famed for its riches, and infamous for its immorality. Its citizens came from all parts of the world. Paul found work there alongside this faithful couple, for he did not accept donations, but worked with his hands to support himself and his fellow-laborers.

Thus Paul worked in Corinth as a tentmaker during the day, and preached after work. He did not rest in the evenings or during holidays and Sabbaths, but sacrificed his time and strength for the Lord. In the first days he spent there Paul restricted his teaching to the synagogue of the Jews. His bitter experience at Athens might have prompted him to increased prayer and meditation, to perhaps reconsider his system and manner of preaching, as we read in his First Epistle to the Corinthians (1:18 - 2:16). If you read these verses carefully, you will sense Paul’s condition at that time.

ACTS 18:5-8
5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!” 7 He departed there, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.

After Silas and Timothy came to Paul, the latter became more pressed than ever in his spirit. The fellowship of the brethren gave him added urgency in his preaching. Since one of the two brothers had brought a generous donation from the churches at Macedonia (2 Corinthians 11:9) the apostle had plenty of time to preach. In the Jewish synagogue he showed from the law that the crucified Jesus of Nazareth was the true Christ, who had been rejected by the Jews. And then that which was customary to all times happened: he became more and more hated by the majority of the Jews, who rejected Paul, and blasphemed his gospel. It became necessary for Paul to separate himself from them, saying: “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean, for I have told you all the words of salvation.” This statement indicates that those who reject the Crucified One will ultimately stand in the Last Judgment as those who committed suicide. By rejecting Christ they willingly rejected the blessing of salvation. There is no other atonement for them, and, therefore, they have condemned themselves to destruction.

From this event on we see Paul directing his attention to the Gentiles at Corinth. He did not, however, move far away from the synagogue of the Jews, but rented a room in a house next door, along with a godly man named Justus. Paul was not afraid of being a fisher of men for Christ. He snatched those frequenting the door to the synagogue of the Jews and brought them into the meetings he was holding in his room. His meetings continued during the week. He honored the ruler of the synagogue of the Jews with visits and talks, and enlightened him with truth and love until he became a believer. This was a miracle to the Corinthians. The most mature person of the Old Covenant members had became a Christian. He accepted baptism for himself, his wife, his children, and his servants at the hand of Paul. He entered into the expanses of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:14). After his conversion to Christianity many followed him, and the church at Corinth flourished and grew vigorously.

ACTS 18:9-17
9 The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent; 18:10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But when 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 indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you; 15 but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don’t want to be a judge of these matters.” 16 He drove them from the judgment seat. 17 Then all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. Gallio didn’t care about any of these things.

Paul knew the Jews would be enraged over the conversion of the chief ruler of the synagogue. The question arose, should he remain in Corinth, or should he flee? What would be better for the infant church? He asked his Lord in prayer, and his Lord answered him. He renewed to him his commission and charge to preach the gospel plainly, fully, and courageously. We suggest you retain these heavenly words in you, for here the will of God was clearly crystallized.

Christ keeps you from every form of fear, for there is no fear in the divine love. Christ is near to you, so be strengthened and do not keep silent. Speak and testify the truth of Him who was raised from the dead. Our faith is not about a religion or philosophy, but about a person to whom we are joined. Christ rose from the dead. He truly rose. He daily confirms to all His servants His appearing, even to the end of the age. This is a great comfort for His apostles, servants, and followers. You are not left out, isolated, or forgotten, for your Lord, who justifies, accompanies, and sanctifies you, never leaves you. He continues in you even to the moment of death. Nothing happens to you except what Christ wills in the flow of His love. He Himself is your guide. All the plots of the devil do not reach you because your Lord protects you.

The communion of God with you aims at winning the many people around you. He chose them for salvation, and is calling them through you. They hear His word in your voice, and come to Him to be renewed by faith. They are joined together by the love of the Holy Spirit into one church, admitted into the fellowship of God. Members of His holy people continue to call upon the glorious virtues of the One who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. Undoubtedly the Lord knows every heart in your city seeking or praising Him. So do not be desperate, but only believe that Christ’s triumph is being realized today. Those who trust in Him will accompany Him in His triumphal procession.

The Lord Jesus confirmed to Paul that no one would be able to harm him in Corinth, contrary to what had happened to him in Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Whoever attempted to harm him would fall from the hand of the Lord. Thus the apostle stayed for a year and a half in this evil city, preaching the gospel without disturbance, dwelling beside the synagogue of the Jews, rejoicing in the fellowship of the redeemed.

In A.D. 53 Gallio was made proconsul of the province of Achaia, of which Corinth was the capital city. When Gallio was made the Roman governor for all of Achaia the Jews instigated a riot, an attempt to inflame persecution against the Christians. They did not charge Paul with being an enemy of Caesar or of propagating the divine King. They accused him of propagating a new religion, one that was contrary to Judaism and, therefore, contrary to Roman law. The latter had already recognized Judaism as a legitimate religion. Gallio, the governor, was, however, in principle against the Jews. He was of the party of Claudius Caesar, who had driven the people of the Old Testament out of Rome. The governor forcefully rejected the complaint and did not allow Paul to defend himself. Christ protected His servant, so that Paul had no need to say a word to defend himself.

The new ruler of the Jewish synagogue, who had been behind the complaint being raised against Paul to the governor, was unsuccessful. The professors at the synagogue took him out and gave him a severe beating before Gallio, for this new Jewish ruler had defamed their community in front of the new governor. This rabbi had attempted to keep Christ’s hand away from protecting Paul. Instead, it fell heavily upon him. No one can stop the founding of the church of God as long as the Lord protects His elect. So believe and do not keep silent. Speak and thank your Lord amid the fellowship of your brothers night and day.

PRAYER: O Lord Christ, we thank You that You protected Your servant Paul at Corinth, and strengthened him, and assured him of Your presence with him. Strengthen our faith, make our love abound, and keep us in the living hope. Help us testify boldly before those who are going astray, that you truly desire to save them.

QUESTION:

  1. What was the particular promise of Christ, which Paul received in Corinth?

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