Acts Chapter 18
One of the beautiful parts of Scripture is the many personal examples recorded for us of those who gave their life to Christ. We can read about actual people who heard the gospel message, repented of their sins, and afterwards they were baptized. Acts 18:8 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.
I have said this before, but I get teary eyed every time I see someone baptized. It is so precious to see someone testify that they have been redeemed by the blood of the lamb. The waters of baptism symbolizing that they identify with being buried with Christ and raised to new life. I can’t help but think “Hallelujah, another soul has passed from the judgement of hell and they will get to spend eternity with Jesus!”
Let's Reflect
1. Paul had come to Corinth and quickly made friends with a Jew named Aquila who was a tent maker just as Paul was. Aquila and his wife Priscilla had been expelled from Pontus where they had been living. The Jews were expelled from that region. Bible commentators believe that they were expelled because of the uprising of Jews against Christians as they debated each other. Paul stayed with this couple and every Sabbath he did what?
2. While Paul met with so much opposition from Jewish people who could not wrap their head around the fact that Jesus had died and arose again as their Messiah, there were some who did see it, who did accept the truth. It was honestly easier for Gentiles to come to Christ because they had not been so steeped in Jewish religion. How did the Jews in Corinth respond to the gospel message that Paul preached?
3. Their hard-heartedness greatly distressed Paul. What did he say he would no longer do?
4. There were a few Jews who did accept the truth of the gospel. Crispus and his household. What position in the synagogue did Crispus hold?
5. In verses 9-11 Paul had a vision of encouragement. The Lord wanted Paul to stay in the city and proclaim the gospel. He told Paul he would be safe. What important thing do we also learn as to why the Lord wanted Paul to stay?
6. Some time had passed, and new Jewish opposition revolted against Paul. They tried to do to him what Jews had done to Jesus when He was on earth. What did they do?
7. How did Gallio (a Roman proconsul) respond to the Jewish accusations? How did he respond to the beating of the ruler of the Jewish synagogue? He was probably beaten because they were angry with him for having not taken care of the Christian movement.
8. Paul stayed a while longer, then set sail for Syria and then Ephesus. Who went with him on this trip?
9. This time the Jews in the synagogue at Ephesus listened to Paul, and they asked him to do what?
10. Paul left on his own and went through several more cities. He was checking on the believers at each of the churches. But the chapter ends with a neat story in that the dear friends of Paul, Aquila and Priscilla, had also become born again Christians. How do we know this?
Devotionals
