The Book of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 81 Christ Comforted Paul. Many Corinthians Believed!

Act 18:1-3  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2)  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3)  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 

This is Luke's introduction to Paul's ministry in Corinth. God providentially led him to meet a Christian couple name Aquila and Priscilla, who would become faithful helpers of Paul.

Paul faithfully preached the gospel.

Act 18:4  And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 

Paul continued his pattern of preaching in the synagogues to begin a dialogue with Jews and God fearing Greeks, using the Old Testament scriptures to show the Jews that Jesus Christ was their Messiah and King. 

Paul driven by the Spirit to preach Christ. 

Acts 18:5  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 

Silas and Timothy finally caught up with Paul. No doubt, after preaching at Athens alone and coming to Corinth by himself, Paul was elated that reinforcements had arrived. 

The apostle was "pressed" in the spirit. The word "pressed" was used in connection to besieging a city and cutting off its supply chain. 

The word "pressed" was also used of a cattle squeezed where it's sides push against the animal so that medicine could be administered. It was used of a ship that must enter a narrow channel.

Paul's preaching was in the power of God's Spirit. 

Romans 15:19  Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Paul had an internal pressure, a squeezing from the Spirit of God to preach the Word of God more fully, with more clarity and with the Spirit's power. 

Paul wrote about this in his letter to the church at Rome. He fully preached the gospel of Jesus Christ by the power of the Spirit of God. 

A few years later, when Paul wrote his first letter to the church at Corinth, he noted that his preaching was not eloquent oratory like a Greek philosopher. Rather, it was a mighty demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit ( 1 Corinthians 2:4). 

It is an example of how the Spirit of God controlled the speech of Christ's apostles when He wanted them to testify of Christ. 

Paul solemnly affirmed that Jesus Christ was the Messiah and King to the Jews. He used Old Testament scriptures to prove the truth of what he said. 

Some Jews rejected the gospel.

Acts 18:6  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 

Many of the Jews raged against Paul's preaching and fought against the purposes of God.  They blasphemed Jesus Christ even though they could not mount a scriptural argument against Christ as Lord and Messiah. Such is the blindness of unbelief. 

Paul made it clear that on the day of final judgment, they would stand before God without the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, and would suffer eternal condemnation. 

Shaking off dust signified Divine condemnation. 

Mark 6:11  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Paul shook off the dust from his raiment which connects with the instructions Jesus gave to His disciples. Shaking off dust when a city refused the testimony of the gospel, signified God's condemnation upon them for rejecting Christ. 

The chief ruler of the synagogue was born again. 

Acts 18:7,8  And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8)  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

Paul departed from the synagogue of the Jews and entered into the home of a man named Justus. Luke tells us that this man worshipped the One, True God and his home was very close to the synagogue. This made it easier for Paul to still preach the gospel to the Jews who had not rejected the light of God's Word. 

From this point forward, God opened the door and many people began to be converted to Jesus Christ. 

Luke tells of a marvelous conversion of a man named Crispus. This man was the chief ruler of that synagogue which was a position of great authority. 

His duties included interpreting the law, deciding what was lawful or unlawful, setting punishment, excommunicating the rebellious, solemnizing marriages, and issuing divorces.

Crispus believed the preaching of Paul and was led to repentant faith in Jesus Christ. To be sure, other Jewish leaders were enraged by this turn of events because when Crispus believed, so did many other Jews. 

Although Paul did not normally baptize new converts, he did baptize Crispus and the other new converts, in this case. He recognized the significance and impact of God saving them in the midst of opposition. 

Words of protection, comfort and courage. 

Acts 18:9,10  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10)  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 

Paul was certainly discouraged by his own people (the Jews) rejecting the gospel of Christ. He loved his nation and the Jewish people and labored mightily to share the gospel with them. It grieved his heart to see them reject God's provision for their salvation. 

That night, Jesus spoke directly to Paul in a vision. Our loving Lord spent years helping bring Paul to a mature, robust faith in Him, so that he might be prepared for the great ministry Christ appointed for His apostle. 

Jesus gave Paul two imperatives. "Be not afraid." Jesus' words gave much needed comfort to Paul.  Christ's words meant that Paul was not to be struck with fear or seized with alarm. 

Jesus did not want Paul to be startled by events that would happen as the Spirit of God began His mighty work in Corinth. He wanted his apostle to know that He was with him and would never forsake him. 

The second imperative Jesus gave Paul was to speak, to preach the gospel freely, fully and with all boldness in the Spirit. 

Jesus reassured Paul by saying "For I am with thee." What mighty words of comfort to know that the same Jesus who saved Paul so dramatically, on the road to Damascus, was by his side to minister in Corinth. 

Jesus addressed Paul's fear of suffering more bodily harm. He said that no man would come after Paul with the intent to cause bodily harm. Jesus wanted Paul to know that He would not allow physical harm to come upon Paul. 

We cannot imagine how comforting the words of Jesus were to the apostle's ears and how much joy filled his heart. Jesus would be with him and protect him as he ministered and preached in Corinth. 

Last, Jesus told Paul that there was a bountiful harvest of souls in Corinth. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

There are several lessons for us in this post. 

First, Paul faithfully preached the gospel. We too, must remain faithful to the Great Commission that Christ gave (Matthew 28:20). We must remember that for many people, we will be the only gospel witness they see. 

God notices our faithfulness to Him, or our lack thereof. Let us be counted as faithful believers. 

Second, Paul surrendered himself to Christ Jesus and allowed the Spirit of God to guide his apostolic ministry.

May we be those believers who surrender all to Christ, so that He can use us in His gospel ministry. 

Third, Paul trusted Jesus Christ for the harvest of souls as he preached. At Athens, not many were saved, but at Corinth, the synagogue ruler was converted. 

Let us rely upon God to do what He promises to do when we share His Word with others. 

Last, Jesus comforted and encouraged Paul. He knew of Paul's struggles and fears and He addressed those. 

Let us be looking to our Lord. He will never leave us and He sent His Spirit to indwell each believer, in part, to comfort and cheer us when we face discouragement. 

Paul was a scholar of the scriptures and certainly the following Psalm ministered a soothing balm to his troubled soul during times of stress. 

Psalm 62:7,8  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8)  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah

Lord, help us to lean on your everlasting arms. You love us and redeemed each born again believer in Christ. Your promises are true and you will never abandon us. 

Lord, we pray for spiritual strength and resilience during the troubled times that we face. Mold us into the image of your Son, Jesus Christ. 

Lord, help each of us to seek you more earnestly, and that your Spirit might use us to be faithful witnesses for our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Bob