Sermons From Acts - Paul's Ministry At Corinth (18:1-18)

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                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                 Paul's Ministry At Corinth (18:1-18)

INTRODUCTION

1. Following his limited time at Athens, Paul went to nearby Corinth...
   a. An economic center of Greece, also known for its immorality
   b. It became an important focus of Paul's ministry as an apostle
   c. A well-known church was established, recipient of at least two
      epistles by Paul

2. Paul's ministry at Corinth lasted a year and a half, involving...
   a. His labor as a tentmaker, and teaching in the local synagogue
   b. His conversion of many Corinthians, including the ruler of the
      synagogue
   c. His providential protection by the Lord
   d. His writing two epistles to the church at Thessalonica

[His ministry at Corinth as recorded by Luke is in Ac 18:1-18.  We
begin by observing...]

I. PAUL'S ARRIVAL AT CORINTH

   A. HE LIVED WITH AQUILA AND PRISCILLA... (Ac 18:1-3)
      1. He found this couple who had been expelled from Rome
         a. A husband and wife who later converted Apollos - Ac 18:24-28
         b. Mentioned in several of Paul's epistles - Ro 16:3; 1Co 16:19;
            2Ti 4:19
      2. Of the same trade (tentmakers), Paul stayed with them
         a. He worked to support himself as a matter of principle - 1Co
            9:6-15; Ac 20:33-35
         b. He also received support from churches like Philippi - 2Co 
            11:7-10; Php 4:15

   B. HE TAUGHT IN THE SYNAGOGUE... (Ac 18:4)
      1. He "reasons" with the people, as with...
         a. Those at Thessalonica, Athens, and Ephesus - Ac 17:2,17;
            18:19; 19:8-9
         b. Government officials like Felix, Festus, and Agrippa II - Ac
            24:25; 26:25
         -- The gospel is designed to appeal to the mind as well as the
            heart! - cf. Mt 22:37
      2. He "persuaded" both Jews and Greeks...
         a. As he did at Thessalonica and Ephesus - Ac 17:4; 19:8
         b. As he almost did with Herod Agrippa II - Ac 26:28
         -- Again, the gospel appeals to the reasoning processes of the
            mind - cf. Isa 1:18

[Not long after his arrival, Paul is then joined by his two close
companions and co-workers...]

II. FOLLOWING THE ARRIVAL OF TIMOTHY AND SILAS

   A. THEY HAD COME FROM MACEDONIA... (Ac 18:5)
      1. With good news regarding the church at Thessalonica - 1Th 3:1-7
      2.  Prompting Paul to write First Thessalonians (ca. 49-51 A.D.) 
         - 1Th 1:1

   B. PAUL FURTHER COMPELLED BY THE SPIRIT... (Ac 18:5)
      1. He "testified" to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ - cf. Ac
         20:21,24; 23:11; 28:23
      2. Such testimony likely involved:
         a. Messianic prophecies of the  Old Testament - Ac 17:2-3
         b. His own eyewitness testimony as an apostle - cf. Ac 26:16

   C. PAUL THEN MET OPPOSITION... (Ac 18:6-7)
      1. By some Jews who blasphemed, just like those in Antioch of
         Pisidia - Ac 13:45
      2. He turned to the Gentiles, like he did in Antioch of Pisidia
         - Ac 13:46
      3. In Corinth, he had only to go next door, to the home of Justus
         - Ac 18:7

   D. YET THE GOSPEL BORE FRUIT... (Ac 18:8)
      1. Crispus, ruler of the synagogue
         a. Who believed on the Lord with all his household - Ac 18:8
         b. Who was personally baptized by Paul - cf. 1Co 1:14
      2. Many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized
         a. Just like those in Jerusalem, Samaria - cf. Ac 2:37-41; 8:12
         b. Later problems made Paul thankful he himself had baptized
            few - cf. 1Co 1:10-17

[In the midst of opposition, Paul and his companions found success in
preaching the gospel!  He then received encouraging confirmation from
the Lord that led to a long stay at Corinth...]

III. EIGHTEEN MONTHS AT CORINTH

   A. ENCOURAGED BY THE LORD... (Ac 18:9-11)
      1. In a vision, told not to be afraid, nor remain silent, "for I am
         with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have 
         many people in this city." - Ac 18:10
         a. Most understand this to refer to divine foreknowledge for the
            success of the gospel
         b. That the Lord knew there were many souls (people, Gr. laos) 
            who would obey the gospel
         c. But it may refer to why (cf. "for") none would hurt him;
            i.e., because of men like Gallio
      2. So Paul remained a year and six months
      3. During which he wrote Second Thessalonians (ca. 51-52 A.D.)
         - 2Th 1:1

   B. ENABLED BY THE PROCONSUL... (Ac 18:12-18)
      1. The Jews brought Paul up on charges before Gallio, proconsul of
         Achaia
      2. Gallio refused to heed them, not willing to be a judge in
         religious matters
      3. The Greeks beat Sosthenes, ruler of the synagogue, which Gallio
         ignored
      4. Thus Paul remained in Corinth a good while - Ac 18:18

CONCLUSION

1. In Paul's ministry at Corinth, we see...
   a. His dedication and methodology as a preacher of the gospel
   b. The response of those who hear the gospel (they believed and were
      baptized)

2. From such, hopefully there are things we can learn...
   a. Whether we are servants of the Lord like Paul and his companions
   b. Or those seeking to learn the truth on how to be saved

Have you heard the gospel, believed, and been baptized...? - Ac 18:8
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