Monthly Archives: January 2020

God’s Will and Biblical Edification (Acts Ch. 18)

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In this post, I am going to discuss Acts chapter 18 in detail. If you have been following my series on the Book of Acts, we have read that Paul has gone through a great deal of rejection during his ministry. However, he has not let the rejection stop him from continuing to preach the Gospel.

Acts 18:1-4: Paul in Corinth

In Acts 18:1-4 we see that Paul travels from Athens to Corinth. Corinth is known as a strong area for trade. When Paul arrives at Corinth, he meets Aquila and his wife Priscila. Paul does stay with them for a few days and even does work with Aquila as a tentmaker. Paul was not only skilled in ministering the Gospel but also had an occupation too. As Paul was in Corinth, we see that he continues his custom of reasoning in the synagogues. This is something we saw in Acts 17:2 (NKJV), “Then Paul, as his custom was, went into them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures”.

Acts 18:5-11: Silas and Timothy Catch Up

As we get into the next few verses, we see Silas and Timothy arrive at Corinth and Paul continues preaching about Jesus Christ. In verse six we see the Jews oppose Paul, and we see that he shakes the dust off his garments. This reminds us of what Jesus said in Matthew 10:14 (NKJV), “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.”. After he leaves that area, he then goes into the house of Justus who was a faithful man of God and lived next to the synagogue. In verse eight we see that the ruler of the synagogue, Crispus accepted the Gospel. We see that following Crispus accepting the Gospel that more Corinthians believed.

As it says in verse eight the people of Corinth heard the Gospel, believed the Gospel, and then were baptized. Far too often today churches just want new believers to say the sinner’s prayer without hearing the full Gospel. Too many people are sitting in church pews today who think they are saved, but they are self-deceived. More people are sitting in churches who have just said the sinner’s prayer and have no changed heart, no fruit to show, and the same love for their sinful habits. The main reason for this pandemic is because most preachers today are not qualified to carry the title pastor if anything, they are motivational speakers who focus on only speaking about how God wants to bless. We must ask ourselves are we only seeking God because we want prosperity and good health, or are we seeking God because we truly just want Jesus. I believe God can heal people and will provide blessings, but too many churches today advertise a Gospel that only focuses on the health and wealth of people, and not a Gospel that saves people from the price of sin.

In verses, nine through eleven we see that Paul had a vision where the Lord spoke to Him. The Lord told him that he would have a productive ministry in Corinth. This is quite contrary to what Paul experienced in previous areas he ministered in. Paul dealt with much tribulation and opposition when in other areas before Corinth. I believe this was God’s way of testing Paul and preparing him before he went to each following area to minister the Gospel. Never question the sovereignty of God when you go through trials.

Acts 18:12-21: God’s Will

We then see that the Jews in Corinth go to the proconsul of Achaia, Gallio, regarding Paul’s ministry. As we see Gallio wanted nothing to do with judging this manor. In verses 18-21 we see that Paul leaves Corinth to go to Syria with Priscilla and Aquila. Paul also stops at Ephesus but does not stay very long, however, he does promise to return if God wills. It is so important that we both know and respect God’s Will. God’s Will is better than anything we could ever come up with. When people are south of God’s Will in their life, it will usually be a total mess. If you are wondering why your life is such a mess right now, maybe it is God trying to grab your attention. Before we make any major decisions in our life we must know if it is within God’s Will. We must take time seeking God. Hebrews 6:3 (NKJV) tells us, “And this we will do if God permits.”. Additionally, James 4:13-17 (NKJV) tells us, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”.

Acts 18:22-23: Importance of Biblical Edification

In verses 22 and 23 we see that Paul goes to Caesarea, Antioch, Galatia, and Phrygia. While he was in Galatia and Phrygia, he strengthened the people, another word for strengthen is to edify which meant to build up believers. Far too often most preaching does not build people up spiritually, most preaching today skips the sin area in one’s life. We must continually teach people in a loving way how to put away the lusts of the flesh. Even the best of us will fall short from time to time and therefore we need preaching that addresses sin. Romans 14:18-19 (NKJV) tells us, “For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore, let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”.

Acts 18:24-28: Dealing with False Doctrine

In verses 24 through 28 we see Apollos, a man of God, comes along. One problem with Apollos is that his knowledge was only limited to John the Baptist. However, Aquila and Priscilla take him aside and correct him. We see that after he is corrected, he does help edify those who believed through grace. This is a great example for us to look at when dealing with people of different denominations. We have denominations and churches that are slightly off on minor issues, then we have churches that are off on major issues and in today’s world most of them would be considered heretics. In this example Apollos was very close to the full truth, he was just missing the who picture of Jesus being the Christ. What Apollos was missing was very critical, but Aquila and Priscilla took the time to work with him on this. Today we must always try to work with people and correct them when they are involved in heresy before we distance ourselves from them.

Final Thoughts

As always, the Book of Acts provides us with great examples for us as the body of Christ today. Sadly, most churches in America today do not meet the standard according to Scripture. It truly breaks my heart to see so much distortion in the church today. It is so important for all believers to get the Word of God in them daily. When you are filled with the Word of God you will be able to easily determine if something is Biblically correct or not. Most people in the church today cannot discern, which is honestly a tragedy. I want to challenge you to get into the Word, read more of the Bible each day. I don’t want you to just read it and rush through it, I want you to take your time and study the Bible. It is one thing to read through the Bible, but it is another thing to take the time and do a personal study of the Bible aside from your yearly reading plan. I would like to challenge you to pick one book out of the Bible to do a detailed study on each month and take your time to study it. Make some great notebooks! Fill yourself up with as much of the Word of Truth as you possibly can.

An Example of Walking in The Spirit During Conflict

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Introduction

In this blog post, we are going to look at the remaining portion of Acts chapter 17. We are going to see several great examples that are set by the Apostle Paul. We will first see the importance of checking doctrine with Scripture, and the importance of us being defenders of the Truth. We will also see how to address sin as a minister or witness.

Search the Scriptures

In Acts 17:11-15 we see that Paul and Silas go to an area called Berea. In this area, the people were very reasonable and received the Gospel. In verse 11 we see it emphasized that the people who received the Gospel searched the Scriptures daily. Why did they do this? “to find out whether these things were so”. As a result of them diligently searching the Scriptures ‘many of them believed’. I would like to point out that these people who received the Gospel did not just search the Scriptures once a week, they searched them daily. Sadly, many people who dare to call themselves Christians only read their Bible when they are in church. Come on people, we have such easy access to the Bible. If you don’t have the time to sit down and read it, then pull up an audio Bible on your phone!

Know the Truth – It is NOT About You

Part of the reason that there is a pandemic level of distortion in Christianity today is that people don’t properly read the Word of God, or don’t read it at all. Many people like to hear preaching where it is based on the notion that it is all about you, all about how they are a David facing a Goliath. I have news for you, that is not the Full and True Gospel. The Bible is not about you! The Bible is about a God who is able and willing! We must study the Scriptures daily in order to know Truth from heresy. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) tells us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”. The full Word of God makes us complete and equipped for every good work. Why settle for anything less?

Conflict Arises

As usual, there is a conflict with the Jews on what Paul and Silas were doing. There is a group of Jews that come and stir up the crowd. In verse 14 we see that Paul gets sent by the brethren to Athens, while Timothy and Silas stay in Berea. Paul had such an anointing on him because he became the focal point of Jewish opposition. One of the ways to know you are a true disciple of Christ is that you face opposition. If there is no opposition, then I would greatly question your source.

Idol Worship in Athens

While Paul is in Athens, he notices that much of the area is given to idol worship. As a bit of background, Athens is an area with many great buildings and monuments. It is also known as a central hub for philosophical, intellectual, and religious discussion. The idol worship taking place troubled Paul’s spirit as mentioned in verse 16. I like how verse 16 says the idol worship provoked his spirit. As we should know it is our spirit man who is recreated the moment we truly get born again. Our soul and flesh are not saved. We must renew our minds as Scripture tells us. Paul did not let his flesh surface with this issue of idolatry. This is how we are to handle unbelievers. We should not let it provoke anger in our flesh, we should only let it provoke our spirit man. If we let our flesh run how we minister to people, then we will not bear much fruit at all. It is our spirit man that should be on display while ministering to people.

Paul Continues His Custom

As in the previous chapter, Paul continues his custom of reasoning with people in the synagogues. He does not get in their face and confront them; he reasons with them. This was Paul’s custom that was shown in the previous chapter. In verse 17 we see that he additionally went to the marketplace daily and reasoned with people there as well. We are called to always be ready to minister and/or witness to someone at any given time as the Holy Spirit leads us. It might be while you are at church, work, school, the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or anywhere. We must always be ready!

More Conflict

The Epicurean and Stoic philosophers then come to question Paul. These people came from the best-known schools for philosophy. Regardless, Paul was ready to deal with their questioning. Paul not only studying Scripture diligently, but he was also filled with the Holy Ghost. When we are questioned by people, we should not rely only on our intellect, but also lean on the Holy Spirit to give us the words to speak. The philosophers take Paul to the Areopagus which is a place that hosted gatherings of philosophical and religious debate.

Paul’s Address to Athens – ‘You are religious’

In verses 22-31 we see Paul’s third and final missionary address in the Book of Acts. There are a few key items from his address I would like to point out. In verse 22 he refers to the people as being ‘very religious’. Many unbelievers love to label Christians as religious, while true Christians are not slaves to a religious system. I would label myself as a disciple of Jesus Christ, which is what we are all called to be at the very least, and we are called to go and make disciples. Jesus said in Matthew 23:27 (NKJV), “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”. Religious people like to cover themselves on the outside, so they do not look so bad. While the truth is that true Christians know and admit that before we came to Christ, we were broken and in need of a Savior.

Paul’s Address to Athens – Idol Worship

Paul then addresses the issue of idolatry. The people of Athens were guilty of worshiping objects made by hands. Paul addresses this while in the Areopagus. Look at Psalm 115:4-8 (NKJV) which tells us, “Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.”. Additionally, Paul mentions an altar they have which states ‘To the Unknown God’. Paul tells them that there is only One True God. He stresses that God is evident through creation, this is something that is explained in further detail in Romans chapter 1. Paul also tells them about the day of judgment that is to come and about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Final Thoughts

While there were people who disagreed with Paul’s reasoning ‘some men joined him and believed’. There will come times when we may not get every single person to believe, we may only get a small handful. Regardless it is always the work of the Holy Spirit that brings people to Christ. There were many important points I mentioned throughout this blog post. I encourage you to go back and read through the Scriptures yourself. I also encourage you as we are starting a new year to spend more time than ever before to diligently get to know Gods Word.