Acts Chapter 18 And 19

Well, in this lesson, we will look at Acts Chapter 18. Now, last week, we looked at Chapter 17. In that chapter, Paul and Silas went to the synagogue in Thessalonica before they were chased out. From there they proceeded to Berea and then Athens. From there, we are going to proceed into chapter 18. Like with the previous lesson, we will look at a particular chapter in the Bible, summarize and discuss it. When looking at the lesson, it's important to understand the historical context of what was going on. Context is key. Why were the authors writing the content that they were writing? How does it relate to use nowadays? 

Chapter 18

Paul left Athens where he went to Corinth. Corinth was a major Greek city in the Roman Empire. While he was there, he encountered a married couple, Aquila and Priscilla. They were now residing in Corinth after they were expelled from Rome on the orders of Caesar that Jews were no longer permitted in the city.

Like all the previous times before as mentioned in Acts, one of the first things that Paul does is go preach to the local synagogue and preach to both Jews and Gentiles alike. Earlier, Timothy and Silas separated from Paul before he departed to Athens. However, they rejoined him in Corinth. Paul rested at the home of Titius Justus, a gentile who worshiped God who just happened to live right next door to the synagogue. As time went by, many in Corinth converted.

One night, God spoke to Paul. Sometimes, God speaks to us. Sometimes, we might get that vision or dream that will reveal God's intentions for us. Other times, God speaks to us through our conscience. It can to subtle. The message delivered to God was simple, "Don't be afraid! Speak Out! Don't Be silent! For I am with you, and no one will harm you because many people in this city belong to me."

There will be times that God will give us words of encouragement. God will give us the words that we need to preserve through whatever journey that we proceed through. Have there been times that God has spoken to you or given you words of comfort or encouragement? 

As mentioned in the chapter, some of the Jews in the city rose up against the growing congregation. I don't know if they were individual disgruntled members or the elders/leaders of that local synagogue. They were bringing charges against Paul, as when they were back in Thessalonica. There was a new governor, Gallio, and some of the members of the synagogue were going to take advantage of the change in situation. In many cases, whenever there is a change in leadership on the church level, you start to see things that one wouldn't normally see as those who see a perceived open door will make a break for it for whatever reason. Maybe they don't like the new leadership or they spot an opportunity to make a name for themselves. Regardless, those looking to pursue their own ambitions or challenge the leaders for whatever reasons. 

However, Gallio, the governor, wasn't going to have any of it. As a civic leader concerned with running the province, he didn't have time to deal with theological conflicts, especially those between the synagogue and the growing church. As a governor, Gallio main interest was making sure taxes were collected, infrastructure remained functional, and disgruntled subjects weren't revolting against the Roman Empire or if common criminals were murdering or commiting any other offenses. He made those who were members of the synagogue know this. In short, because the conflict at hand was a theological one with the leaders of the synagogue, it was their issue to solve the problem, not that of governor Gallio. He then had them driven out of the court. It wouldn't be Rome if there wasn't some show of force, now would it! The angry mob, frustrated by one of the leaders of the synagogue, Sosthenes, started to beat him down in the courtroom near Gallio. Gallio paid no heed to the matter. Moral of the section, church issues are those that need to be resolved in the church. This is something that has happened countless times at Paul had dealt directly with various issues within the new church. 

After a short time, Paul decided to leave Corinth and then head back to the Middle East, to Syria specifically. He was going to Antioch via the Mediterranean. He was joined by Aquila and Priscilla, mentioned earlier in the chapter He made a stop at Ephesus at the synagogue, because why not! He started preaching to the Jewish congregation there. In one twist of irony, the congregation actually begged him to stay. However, he needed to get to Antioch, so he couldn't. It has to be noted that as a Jewish custom, he had his head shaved. He then left Ephesus, and then sailed to the port at Caesarea, and then to Jerusalem, and then back to Antioch. From there Paul went to Galatia, and then Phrygia.

The Lord's work will take you to various places. Missionaries travel the world over at various locations. Paul just can't stay in one place. As you read the scripture, you see Paul travel from Judea to Syria, and from Syria to Asia Minor, or what is present-day Turkey. From there, you see Greece, Macedonia, and then later on, Rome itself. Other places where they set foot or would set foot include Cyprus, Crete, and Malta. With Acts, your getting a free sight-seeing tour of the Mediterranean!

As if that wasn't enough, we hear about Apollos, a speaker who knew the scriptures very well. He arrived at Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. Like Paul, he preached at the Synagogue. However, he only received word about the ministry of John the Baptist. He hadn't heard about this Jesus fellow yet. Thus, at Ephesus, Paul and the recent converts filled in the details about Jesus's sacrifice, and then from there, Apollos continued on with his ministry. When he arrived at any synagogue, Apollos successfully refuted those who carried false claims made by those with his eloquent speech. The chapter ends with the Messiah having already appeared. The Messiah who came to finish the job started by John The Baptist. That Messiah that we're looking for is Jesus. I think that is a good place to finish the chapter, and the lesson.

With those words, we are reminded that whenever he needs comfort through hard times, Jesus is there for us. If we want a personal friend that is there for us, Jesus is there for us. Whenever we go through our own trials, or if you want to celebrate, Jesus is there for us. For both the good and the bad. Jesus wants that personal relationship for us. Jesus is there for us, regardless of whatever we're going through.  We don't have to go through things alone.

Chapter 19

In this lesson, we will look at Acts Chapter 19. In the last chapter, Paul was in Corinth where he encountered more obstacles in his ministry. along with a vision from God to guide him on his spiritual journey. From Corinth he departed to various places in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. While on his traveling ministry, he encountered an eloquent speaker named Apollos, where he preached to him about the resurrection of Jesus.

After their meeting concluded, Apollos went to Corinth while Paul continued on with his ministry until he got back to Ephesus where he encountered a group of believers who had been baptized. However, they were unaware of Jesus or the Holy Spirit. When Paul asked about their spiritual status, they responded that they were baptized in the name of John The Baptist. Paul reiterates that John's baptism was to lay the foundation for the coming of Jesus. This is the same Jesus that Paul is now presenting to the Ephesians there. They were baptized in the name of Jesus where the Holy Spirit descended upon them. There were about twelve men there. There are people out there who might have heard of Jesus, but unaware of him on an intimate and personal level. Such, sometimes, those who want to seek out Jesus and know him on a more personal level sometimes need a Paul to open our eyes and our hearts. Also, the Holy Spirit typically does not get as much appearance as God or Jesus. However, the role of the Holy Spirit tends to be very great as the spirit tends to be the entity that reveals God's will upon us. This is the spirit that opens our eyes to Jesus and reveals his love to and salvation to us.

From there, Paul went to the synagogue where he preached for about three months. We can imagine what happened here. Some loudly rebuked the teachings that Paul presented. It's at this point that we learn that Paul's movement is referred to as The Way. The terms "Christians" and "Christianity" was later phrases to describe followers of Jesus. However, among the early church, the followers of Jesus were referred to as either The Way or the Naverinees.

After spending three months at the synagogue, Paul left with his converted believers and then went to the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, as many who traveled through the area, both Jew and Greek, heard about the teachings of Jesus. One tends to think that because Acts tends to be a short book, one is left with the impression that the events that played out in that book occurred over a short time span. However, Acts condencesses several years of Paul's ministry in a short book. Also, when they reference Asia, they are describing the Roman province that is now in present-day Turkey, not the continent of the 80's British synth-prog band with the same name. Also, Ephesus was a major trade route, so that anything that traveled from the known world often went through Ephesus.

While in Ephesus, Paul had performed many miracles in the name of God. Many people who were sick became healed. When some at the Jewish synagogue heard this, they decided to form a team to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. In one incident though, they were trying to perform an exorcism that didn't go exactly as planned. The team tried to cast the demon out in the name of Jesus and Paul. However, the spirit that consumed the man replied that he heard of Jesus and Paul, but didn't hear of them. Thus, the demon-possessed man attacked the group, and they fled, badly injured and naked. This story soon spread all over Ephesus and many believed. Several burned their possessions, with many being high-valued objects. With that said, I don't recommend people to get into the exorcism business of casting out demons unless you really know what you're doing. While exorcisms while generally seen as a Catholic-specific things, it's actually not. Many non-Catholic churches and believers have and still perform exorcisms. At the end of the day, the term exorcism is simply an umbrella term for the process of removing an evil spirit from a possessed man. What Jesus did throughout his ministry in regard to the removal of demons can be constituted as an exorcism, even though we generally don't use that phrase.

From there, Paul went from Ephesis and traveled to Macedonia, then Archia before returning to Jersalsuem. One has to remember that the Roman Empire was the first empire covered by roads through-out. This type of travel was previously impossible beforehand, so Paul was really taking advantage of the Roman roads and network. While he was gone, big trouble brewed in Ephesus. Demitrius, a silversmith who made money casting silver likings of the Roman goddess Artemis. He employed many throughout the province. They saw a dramatic drop in business, and they did not like it. An angry mob formed and took Gaius and Aristarchus, from Macedonia, and took them to the Ephesisus amphitheater. However, because the mob was formed in great haste, many in the amphitheater had no idea what was going on. There was great confusion. Paul wasn't there. He tried to go, but several of the believers wouldn't let him. Some of the officials in the province, who were friends with Paul, also begged him not to go and risk his life.

As noted, anyone who feels that their power and status is under attack will generally respond back in harsh ways. Anyone driven by power, money, and control will do anything to protect their riches. This is the case here. Demitruis had built up a large business throughout the province, and now he viewed Paul as a threat to his business interest. However, the power grab isn't just restricted to Greeks or Jews, but anyone who thirst for it. Yes, this includes other Christians, and especially other Christians. Those who thirst for control often become their own worst enemy as spirituality takes a back-seat to their personal interest and ambitions, regardless of whether those interests are monetary, social, or political in nature.

Often those who have dedicated ears can work up a frenzy crowded, and this was no different when Demistrus did the same. Others with their own complaints will do the same. In Acts Chapter 19, several of those from the synagogue who heard about the complaints made by the craftsmen against Paul saw an opportunity as well, and they tried to make the most of it. One of the leaders of the synagogue, Alexander, was trying to make his case. However, the crowd, seeing that he was Jewish, wasn't going to have any of it, and he was drowned out. Eventually, the mayor arrived and called the crowd down. He reinterattrated that nothing was stolen from the temples. Everything that pertained to the reputation of the Goddess Artemis was secured. There was nothing to worry about and that their fears were unfounded.

Oftentimes, when I read about incidents about what happened in the amphitheater, it can be a reminder that nothing good comes from mobs. When we become over-emotional, we become blind to our actions. Also, we become melodramatic. It doesn't matter who this happens though. Regardless of whether it was those in the amphitheater, the synagogue, or the pew. We become slaves to our emotions. It has to be recognized that we shouldn't feel bad when we get angry or sad. There are natural emotions that are part of the human condition. It depends on how we deal with them. If we cave into imaginary demons or unfounded fears, then we become our own worst enemy, regardless of who we are. (Conspiracy theories, sensationalized clickbait, etc.)We are better than that.

The governor went on by saying that whatever grievances that Demitrius and the craftsmen have can be made thru legal channels, and not thru the court of public opinion. This is similar to how Gallius in Corinth declared that anything in regard to theology isn't a matter of the state. Any other complaints in regard to monetary or civic issues can be settled there as well. One has to remember that Roman governors had a very demanding job. They were there to collect taxes while preserving law and order. Thus, riots were not a good thing as it made the governor look incompetent in the eyes of Rome. From the legality perspective, there was no justification for this potential riot. Thus if Rome demanded an explanation, the governor wouldn't be able to provide one. Thus he dismissed the crowds.

At the end of the day though, Paul was dealing with a lot. He fast constant issues with his ministry. However, he continued to persevere, regardless of whatever he encountered along his way. And he was able to do this with Jesus, who gives him the power and strength for him to do the things that he does. As we need to remember as we continue to get through our day, it's Jesus who provides that strength as well.