The Pilgrim Path---Acts 18: 1 – 11

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 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, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 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. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the LORD, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 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.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

“DO NOT BE AFRAID…”

The Apostle Paul was a man who “transitioned” in ministry---in life---in service. All that, and more---is alluded to in Acts 18:

---Working: getting to Corinth, he seems to have “lost” touch with the “financial support” earlier missionaries had---from Antioch of Syria. He goes back to the trade he had in previous years (he made tents). He found Jews with the same vocation---and lodged with them. He had NO problem “paying” his own way---while conducting ministry…

---Witnessing was still a BIG part of Paul’s life while he was tentmaking. There was always room (and time) to get to the synagogue---and testify to the reality of Jesus---to unconverted Jews.

---When warfare against the Gospel erupted (from among the Jews)---Paul was “willing” to see a more “open” door to Gentile Ministry in Corinth. He was ready for the opportunity!

---Warm was the Apostle’s heart---when the LORD visited him in a vision---and told him, “Do not be afraid---Go on with the ministry---I am WITH You----I have many people here…” WOW---the Holy Spirit does not “waste” words. As Jim Boice says, “Paul must have known fear in this place.” Well, the LORD knew HOW to remove it! And Paul stayed the longest---he ministered anywhere! Spirit induced power and might! Thanks be to God!

---Would we have ever guessed such a lengthy tenure of ministry---when at first, there were so many obstacles? We must rely upon the LORD---and take a step at a time. Paul worked this way in Corinth and the LORD gave him 18 months of Gospel endeavor…Trust the LORD and leave the results with Him.

From James Montgomery Boice: We cannot take a text like this and simply transfer it to ourselves, as if God is saying the identical things to us: Nobody will ever attack you; nobody will harm you; I have many people in the city. However, I cannot help but think that if God has placed us in a particular place, it is because he has a work for us to do there, and for that very reason we should be encouraged and stay on and do it to the best of our ability. It is not because he does not have many people in our neighborhoods or cities but because he does. Our job is to keep on keeping on, knowing that God is with us.

From John Duncan: We are to assemble to hear God’s Word---but to what end? To do it.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason