The Reporter     Volume 46 # 34,  --  August 24, 2006

 

Paul’s Work At Corinth

– Acts Eighteen –

 

   After Paul left Athens he went to Corinth. His preaching work continued there for eighteen months. There Paul associated himself with Aquila and Priscilla. They had come to Corinth from Italy because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul stayed with them because they were all tent makers.

 

   On the Sabbath days Paul reasoned with the Jews out of the scriptures and persuaded both Jews and Greeks that "Jesus" is the Messiah. "When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was completely given up to the word, preaching to the Jews that Jesus was Christ." Sadly many of them spoke evil against him. Paul said, "Your blood be on your heads, I am clean: from now I will go to the Gentiles." How sad it is when anyone fails to believe that God gives eternal life to all that obey Jesus.

 

   Not all rejected Jesus: (1) Justus worshipped God, (2) Crispus believed on the Lord, and (3) many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptized.

 

   With all the rejection Paul had faced it would have been easy for him to become discouraged. The Lord told Paul not to be afraid. God wanted him to speak with boldness. He promised Paul, "I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee:  for I have  much people  in this  city." The Lord Jesus Christ had not forgotten Paul nor would He forget him.

 

   Paul was accused of causing people to serve God in a manner that was contrary to the law. Gallio would not hear the matter because he knew it was not a matter of wicked lewdness. Even when the Greeks took Sosthenes and beat him before the judgment seat Gallio did not care! Later Sosthenes would be a part of Paul's letter to Corinth. (I Corinthians 1:1)

 

   Paul stayed long enough to strengthen the brethren in Corinth. He left Corinth by way of Cenchrea. Before He left Cenchrea he cut off his hair to demonstrate the accomplishment of a vow he had made before God.

 

   Paul made a brief stop at Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem.  Priscilla and Aquila were left there. Paul's travels took him to Caesarea, then to Jerusalem and finally back to Antioch. This described the ending of the second journey and the beginning of the third. On this journey Paul visited "Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples." 

 

   Our attention is turned back to Ephesus where Paul had left Priscilla and Aquila. "A certain Jew named Apollos, an eloquent man" came down to the city of Ephesus. He was a great preacher but he knew only the baptism of John. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him preach they took him aside and gave him fuller teaching about the way of God. He became a powerful defender of the faith.

 

   Paul's great success at Corinth – Acts 18:1-11: After Paul's sermon in the Areopagus and the good result of it he traveled to Corinth. At Corinth he associated with Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They had come from Italy because Claudius had given orders that all Jews were to depart from Rome. Their trade of being tent makers brought them together.

 

   Every Sabbath day Paul went into the Jewish synagogue and reasoned with them out of the Scriptures. He proved that Jesus was the Christ. He taught them concerning the necessity of Jesus’ sufferings, death and resurrection. Many Jews and Greeks were persuaded by the truth Paul taught. When Silas and Timothy arrived Paul was stirred even more to preach Christ.

 

   The rejection of the gospel by the Jews caused Paul to turn to the Gentiles. He said, "Your blood be on your heads, I am clean: from now I will go to the Gentiles." Paul meant what he said because he left the synagogue he went into the house of a man named Justus, a Gentile believer. Luke gave this simple account of conversions in Corinth. "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." (Acts 18:8)

 

   The Lord used a vision to encourage Paul to keep on preaching Christ. He promised to be with him and to preserve him.

 

   The coldness of Gallio toward Paul – Acts 18:12-17: The Jews brought Paul before Gallio's judgment seat saying, "This man is teaching the people to give worship to God in a way which is against the law." Gallio said he would have heard the case if it involved some wicked lewdness. He refused to be a judge in spiritual matters. He literally drove them from his judgment seat.

 

   The profane and unconverted Greeks beat Sosthenes. He was the chief ruler of the synagogue. Likely he was chosen to this position after Crispus became a Christian. Gallio cared for none of these things. Latter Sosthenes would have a part with Paul in writing the letter of First Corinthians. (I Corinthians 1:1)

 

   Paul watered what he had planted – Acts 18:18-23: At Cenchrea Paul shaved his head because of a vow he had made. One would be hard pressed to prove that this vow was one peculiar to the Law, which it would be improper for Christians to observe. We must remember Paul's refusal to impose the Law upon Gentiles. It must not be inferred, from this that we are at liberty to make foolish or wicked vows, that would be better broken than kept.

 

   Paul, along with Aquila and Priscilla, journeyed to Ephesus. After a stay there when Paul preach in synagogue he traveled on leaving Aquila and Priscilla behind. Paul's desire was to make the feast at Jerusalem and to return to Ephesus later, if it was the will of God. Paul made his way by Caesarea to Jerusalem. After visiting Jerusalem Paul visited many churches, (1) confirming them in the faith, (2) fortifying their minds against temptations, and (3) encouraging them to be faithful under persecution.

 

   An account of Apollo's spiritual growth – Acts 18:24-28: Apollos came to Ephesus. He was powerful in speech and prudent. This man had a great knowledge of Scriptures, but he knew only the baptism of John. He preached boldly in the synagogue. Upon hearing him preach Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

 

   Apollos desired to go into Achaia. The brethren helped him and sent letters to the disciples requesting them to take him in among them. He gave much help to the believers. He overcame the Jews in public discussion, and made it clear from scripture that Jesus was the Christ.

 

   Being a Christian is a serious responsibility. To become a Christian, you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (Mark 16:16), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized to be saved. (I Peter 3:21) After bap­tism the challenge for every Christian is to be steadfast under every circumstance.

- - - - Charles Box

News & Notes

 

1. Prayer List: Baptist East Hospital: Abbie, Austin, and Andrew Herring. In Need Of Prayers: Nikki Bennett, Doug Boswell, Dannie Box, Janice Box, Gene Buck, Emily Cain, Stacie Davis, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, Montine Hardin, Evan Hartsell, Brenda Herring, Jimmy Hobbie, Ann Jackson (surgery), Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence (surgery), Joyce Massey, Curtis Newton (brother of Vickie Clark), Hunter Owens, Mary Powell, Meg Sellers (mother of Stacie Davis), Jessica Simpson, Anne Catherine Smith, Roger Strange Doris Taylor, and Gladys Warren. Crowne Health Care: Laura Ellis, Ethel Gafford, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, Floyd Smith, and Iva Lou Wright. Homewood Greenville: Marie Walton. Pine Needle: Mildred Johnson. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Wilmer Howell. Shut-Ins: Jean Hayes, and Mary Lou Phelps.

 

2. Placed Membership: We welcome Becky McCreary to the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Becky lives at 197 Bobwhite Lane, Greenville – Phone 382-1016. Her birthday is May 21^st. Please make her fell welcome.

 

3. Congratulations: Triplets were born to Willie and Brenda Herring on August 18^th. There are two boys and a girl. Abbie Lee weighed 3 pounds 13 ounces and was 17 inch long, Austin Jay weighed 3 pounds 9 ounces and was 16 ¼ inches long, and Andrew Ray weighed 4 pounds 2 ounces and was 17 inches long. Congratu-lations also to proud grandparents L.J. Herring and Bobby & Twinette Moore.

 

4. Please Pray For: (a) Alan Jackson as he serves in Iraq. Address: SPC Nathan A. Jackson, B-BTRY 1/117^th FA, APO AE09378, 3^rd PLT. (b) Sam Sanders, son of Jerry Sanders is serving in the Iraq area. (c) Danny Payne, son-in-law of Donald & Nell Davis is serving in the Iraq area. (d) Jason Godwin will go to Iraq on September 10^th. 

 

5. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays this week are: August 27^th Tyler Till, August 29^th Peggy Lassiter, and August 30^th Kaitlyn Lucas.

 

6. Back To School Party: A “Back to School” party is planned for September 3^rd after evening service. Please bring school supplies to be given to needy children and also bring finger foods. See Darrell Powell or Alicia Sexton for details.

 

7. 50^th Anniversary Announcement: Celebrate a 50^th Anniversary with Dennis and Virginia Lowery on September 16, 2006, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Hosted by their children and grandchildren. RSVP by September 1^st – Telephone 334-382-6451 (Sign up sheet on the bulletin board.)

 

8. Thank You: (a) Dear Church Family, Thank you for the love and concern you have shown me before and since my knee surgery. Your visits, prayers, calls, cards, and food were appreciated so much. I love you. Janice Box (b) Dear Walnut Street Family, Thank you all so much for the prayers, visits, cards, and phone calls while Clay was in the hospital and since he’s been home. We appreciate everything. Thanks again for the prayers!! Clay also loved his puppy that the church sent with balloons. Thanks again or everything. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. Love, Todd, Romana & Clay Newton

 

9. Kitchen Sign Out Sheet: There is a sign out sheet in the kitchen for all kitchen and all-purpose room items. Please help us keep up with things.

 

10. A Job Well Done: Thank you to Jeff Thomas for redoing the front doors. Jeff, you did a good job!

 

11. For Your Information: Tim & Trina Croley wanted you to know they have moved to Georgia. Their new address is 130 Hibiscus Trail, Fayetteville, Georgia 30215, Phone – 404-754-2611.

 

12. Area Events: (a) August 26-31 – “Polishing the Pulpit” – call 256-435-9356 for details. (b) September 25-27 – Spiritual Enrichment Forum at Embassy Suites Hotel – Southern Christian University. (c) September 26-30 – Heritage Christian University – 35^th Annual Evangelism Workshop – Theme “A Future and a Hope”

 

I Hope That You Can’t Sleep

 

   I have often said to the youth here, “If you’re not right with God, I hope that you can’t sleep until you make things right.”  I am sincere when I make that statement.  I hope that the guilt of wrongdoing just eats them up and makes them restless and weary! Why am I so heartless?  Well, I really feel this way because I love them and want them to walk in paths of righteous-ness. Paul wrote these words to the church in Corinth: “For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (II Corinthians 7:8-10). Notice some other Bible characters and scriptures that show us the blessings that are to be found in godly grief or sorrow. 

 

   Solomon knew all the pleasures the world had to offer, having indulged in most of them.  But in his later years, he wrote, “Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth” (Ecclesiastes 7:3-4). Solomon knew that without godly sorrow that leads to repentance, all the “happiness” in the world would be worthless. 

 

   The first two statements that Jesus uttered in His sermon on the mount were: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:3-4). Those who are “poor in spirit” realize that they have need of a Savior. Without this insight, a person would be doomed to pay the penalty of sin with his or her own soul. “Those who mourn” describes those who grieve over disobedience, whether their own, or that of others. 

 

   So, my desire for you is that you “sow in tears” so that you can “reap with shouts of joy” (Psalm 126:5). When you lay your head on your pillow tonight, allow any guilt you feel to drive you to obey the almighty God.

- - - - Darrell Powell