In Corinth–Successes and rejections of spreading the testimony of Jesus.

Acts 18:1-17

• Paul meets with fellow Christians who were forced out of Rome.
• Paul preaches to the Jewish people, who rejects Christ, so Paul goes to the Gentiles.
• A Jewish ruler comes to Christ and many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized.
• The Lord encouraged Paul to continue his ministry in Corinth.
• Jewish people bring a legal complaint against Paul.

Paul meets with fellow Christians who were forced out of Rome.
“After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.” Acts 18:1

“After these things” refers to after Paul spoke in Athens about God being the Creator of all and speaking of the resurrection [Acts 17:16-34]. Then he went to Corinth. Corinth is seen on the map below, west of Athens and a little bit south. Athens is about due north of Crete, and just a tiny bit west. Crete is seen at the bottom of the map towards the middle.

“And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.” Acts 18:2

As seen on the left map below, Pontus is due north of Corinth. Corinth is near the bottom of the map and a little right of center. Aguila was born in Pontus, then moved to Rome, Italy. Italy is to the southwest of Pontus and to the west of Corinth. After the Roman Emperor commanded all of the Jewish people to leave Rome, Aquila and his wife moved to Corinth. That is where Paul united with them. The map on the right shows a better image of Italy and its location from Corinth [Corinth is to the east of the “toe” of Italy]. Hopefully you have a way to enlarge the image on your screen.

When Paul came to Corinth, he met Aquila and his wife Priscilla, and they welcomed him. Aquila and Priscilla were forced to move out of Rome [by the Roman Emperor Claudius] because they were Jewish. Claudius wanted to keep Rome exclusively for Roman citizens. In today’s culture, their social network has removed Christianity from their community, relating to being out-of-sight and out-of-mind. Click here for a post on the extinction of Christian births from Revelation 12. Also, Christian families, and relationships with Jesus Christ as the head of the home, are being driven out of today’s culture and into extinction, as described in Daniel 7:5.

What is today’s culture trying to keep “pure” as a “family-centered” community? They serve the entity that replaces the conscience and spirit while oppressing the Holy Spirit. With that, the entity they serve gives them what to think, feel, say, and do. They consider the followers of Jesus Christ to be destructive to their social structure because we serve Jesus Christ who makes our body the home of the Holy Spirit. The entity they serve gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through them, but we desire the image of Jesus Christ to speak and live through us. They are being groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do, but we are groomed to the image of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Today’s culture, which is global, serves the one “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”, the “son of perdition”, the “lawless one” Click here for a post on the “man of sin”.

So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.” Acts 18:3-4

Paul was a tentmaker by trade, and so was Aquila and his wife [Priscilla]. For that reason, they joined a partnership and lived together. There was something else that bonded them together; Aquila and Priscilla were followers of Jesus Christ. Paul brought both with him as far as Ephesus. In Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla helped to explain the way of Jesus Christ more clearly to a man who was fervent in preaching and teaching the message of John the Baptist. This is described in Acts 18:18-26. As followers of Jesus Christ, this is what God wants for us, to be connected with others through the Holy Spirit. The purpose for sharing the testimony of Jesus Christ is to bring another person into the fellowship of the Spirit of Christ. Conflict, debate, and arguments are not what God wants us to be engaged in.

While in Corinth with Aquila and Priscilla, Paul went into the Jewish temple every sabbath to persuade Jews and Greeks about the resurrected Christ, the forgiveness of sin, and eternal life. When the word “persuaded” is used, it doesn’t necessarily mean he convinced any to become Christians at that moment, but he used persuasion to speak with them about the Gospel. When the Holy Spirit opens a door to reason with others, and to persuade them concerning the message of the Cross, this doesn’t mean we will see any fruit of repentance at that moment. We may never see any converts, but later on someone may come to God through Jesus Christ because of a word we had spoken. “So will My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me void, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

Paul preaches to the Jewish people, who rejects Christ, so Paul goes to the Gentiles.
“When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Acts 18:5-6

Silas and Timothy remained in Berea [the region of Macedonia] as Paul was brought to Athens [Acts 17:13-15] and then to Corinth. Silas and Timothy reunited with Paul in Corinth. On the map below, Berea is due north of Corinth [as a bird flies].

In Corinth: Silas, Timothy, and Paul are together, and this is when Paul is led by the Holy Spirit to testify to the Jewish people that Jesus is the Christ, as spoken about in the Old Testament scripture. But when they opposed him and blasphemed, Paul said, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” As followers of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit may open doors to where others will listen to our born-again experience, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ written on our heart. This is no guarantee that they will receive Jesus as the Christ and their Lord. When they rejected Paul for sharing the testimony of Jesus, Paul knew it was time to bring the Gospel of Christ to the non-Jewish population. As followers of Jesus Christ, we know that the Holy Spirit is the only one who can open hearts to receive Jesus Christ. When people reject our witness, it is time to move on.

Ezekiel said this through the Holy Spirit, “…if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” Ezekiel 33:9 Click here for the responsibility of the watch persons from Ezekiel 33. Those who reject Jesus Christ say to us who share His Gospel, “Do not prattle,” you say to those who prophesy. So they will not prophesy to you; They will not return insult for insult.” Micah 2:6

To this day, the Jewish culture continues to reject Jesus as their Christ and Lord. Because of their rejection of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago, they are facing God’s judgment today. If they had received Jesus back then, the State of Israel would never have existed, the 18 wars they have been in since the State of Israel was established in 1948 would never have happened, and the Holocaust would never have taken place. That’s because as Christians we do not have a country on this earth to call our home. Our nation is the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and earth.

In 1948, God gathered the Jewish people to the State of Israel as the place where He unleashes His judgment on them, “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you. Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst.” Ezekiel 22:19-21

As followers of Jesus Christ that is our born-again testimony, that our Lord Jesus brings Salvation. We mustn’t be like the Jewish people who rejected Jesus Christ and are exposed to the judgment and wrath of God. There is the final judgment coming beyond the grave, when the dead are raised to life. Some are raised to eternal hell, and some are raised to eternal life, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:2-3

A Jewish ruler comes to Christ and many of the Corinthians believed and were baptized.
“And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.” Acts 18:7-8

Justus was a Jewish man who welcomed Paul into his home and embraced the testimony of Jesus Christ. The house of Justus happened to be next door to a Jewish synagogue. Subsequently, this led to the born-again experience of Crispus, who was the head over the synagogue. Many of the Corinthians followed Crispus who set the example for them to live for God through Jesus Christ.

Not everyone was receptive to receive the testimony of Jesus Christ through Paul. But Crispus was receptive to hear the Good News through Justus. Some people will reject Jesus simply because of who is bringing the message. Paul was rejected by the Jewish people, but when Justus spoke to Crispus [ruler of the synagogue], he was born-again. Then many of the Corinthians believed and joined the way of Jesus Christ. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-8

Over and over through the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit brings more success from a one-on-one witness than by preaching to many at one time. As followers of Jesus Christ, in this atheistic culture of today, there will be more success in speaking to an individual person than in speaking to many members of the community at the same time. The Holy Spirit speaks to people on a personal and individual level, not by the persuasion of the will of many people. This is why our Lord Jesus warns about following the people over His word, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matthew 15:9 Our Lord Jesus also said, “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” John 5:44

We live in a culture, which is global, that rejects the Gospel of Jesus Christ and does not want Him spreading through their social networks. They are not receptive to the Holy Spirit, and our Lord Jesus says, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” Matthew 7:6 Today’s culture lives for the entity that replaces the conscience and spirit [while oppressing the presence of the Holy Spirit] to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. This entity gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through people as they are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do. By what they say and do, they reject God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Our ministry has to be to individual people, open to receive the testimony of Jesus, who are that one lost sheep. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8-10

Our Lord Jesus also gives the parable of the lost son who had come home, Luke 15:15:11-32

The Lord encouraged Paul to continue his ministry in Corinth.
“Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:9-11

For the Lord to be with us is for the Holy Spirit to be with us through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is our comforter who brings peace and an urge and boldness to share the testimony of Jesus. Our born-again experience is the Gospel of Christ written on our heart and we are always eager for the opportunity to share this. The Lord had many people in Corinth, desiring to see the spread of the Good News in their city, among those whose mind and heart were receptive to the message of the Cross. There were many people in Corinth, willing and eager to hear more from the words of Jesus Christ, about the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection from the dead, eternal life, and being born-again.

Paul remained 1 1/2 years in Corinth, doing the work of the Lord, in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus says to us that doing His work will not always be possible, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5 When the Holy Spirit is removed from this world, then lawlessness is no longer restrained and becomes normalized, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed…” 2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 Click here for a post on the “lawless one”.

We are living in the days when the spirit and conscience are replaced [while the presence of the Holy Spirit is oppressed] by the entity that gives people what to feel, think, say, and do. This entity gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through people in every city around the world. They oppose belief in God, scoff at the need for the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, and oppress the presence of the Holy Spirit. Today’s culture, which is global, is groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do. “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb…” Revelations 13:7-8 The “him” in this verse is the beast of the image and mark of the beast.

“…avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.” Titus 3:9-11 The Spirit of God is like a lamb, a dove, a sheep. Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd…My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:11, 27 Our Lord Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 Jesu says, “I am the good shepherd…My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:11, 27

Jewish people bring a legal complaint against Paul.
“When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat…” Acts 18:12

A proconsul was a high-level official, like a state governor or national senator, governing for the Roman Empire. During this time, the Jewish people came against Paul and brought a charge against him to Gallio’s court or senate hearing. This would be like a complaint [or charges] being brought against a Christian [or Christianity] at a high-level court, such as a state court or a nation’s Supreme Court. The charges being brought as an organized effort of today’s atheistic culture against Christianity.

 “…saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” Acts 18:13

The Jewish people were accusing Paul of persuading people to worship God contrary to the laws of Judaism. Paul was persuading people to worship God through faith in Jesus Christ instead of through the written laws of Judaism. Today’s culture, which is global, accuses Christianity of persuading people to live for God contrary to their law. What is their law? Their law is to live for the entity that gives them what to speak, do, think, and feel. However, Christians say that our body is the temple of God, the temple of the Holy Spirit, so we are violating their law that says the human body is the temple of the entity that intertwines itself within the thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors of people everywhere. The entity they worship is the one “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the “man of sin”.

“And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.” Acts 18:14-15

When Paul was about to speak in defense of the testimony of Jesus Christ, Gallio cut him off to silence him. This is equivalent to the judges of state courts, a nation’s Supreme Court, or a senate hearing, not wanting to hear from Christianity. Today, Christianity is quietly being driven into extinction, as described in Revelations 12.

Like Paul, we live in the presence of the Holy Spirit, and we do not engage in any wrongdoing towards the community culture nor the governing authorities. We listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit who says, “…be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2 As it stands today, governing authorities and courts do not want to appear “unfriendly” or persecuting Christianity. However, if we cause an uproar, stir up the masses of the community culture, or violate other such laws of a civil society, then the courts would be obliged to prosecute a Christian.

In today’s culture: community, state, and national courts and politicians do not want to be engaged in judging religious matters. But they rely on the collective community effort to look after the judgment against the Gospel of Jesus Christ and all of Christianity. That is why today’s culture have turned against the Holy Spirit, who is given through Jesus Christ, and why the Holy Spirit says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20 “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’” Revelation 12:17

“And he drove them from the judgment seat.” Acts 18: 16

Gallio drove the Jewish people out of his court, didn’t want to hear any more cases concerning Jesus Christ, but ordered the Jewish people to look after the matter. Today, religious affairs are driven out of the courts and senate hearings to be looked after on a grassroots level. The grassroots people serve the atheistic entity that gives them what to speak, do, think, and feel. They have made war with God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Christians, the resurrection, eternal life, etc., “Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb…” Revelations 13:6-8 The “he” in this verse is the beast of the image and mark of the beast.

“Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things” Acts 18:17

Sosthenes was the leader of the Jewish people who brought Paul to the courtroom of Gallio. Because it disgusted Gallio that this case concerning Jesus Christ was brought to his courtroom, the Jewish people beat Sosthenes in front of Gallio. This was the Jewish people’s way of showing that they would handle religious troublemakers their way, and hopefully Gallio would look on them favorably. Gallio did signal his approval of what they did by looking the other way, ignoring the beating given to Sosthenes, and taking no notice of it.

In today’s culture, it is obvious that the grassroots culture has the approval of the governing authorities to beat Christianity into extinction. The spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been brought to a halt. The churches have abandoned the message of the Cross to partner with community values. Government lawmakers no longer integrate the values of the Bible into their laws, policies, and executive orders. The educational system prohibits the teaching of the Bible in classrooms. And the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is unwelcomed in every sector of society.

Sosthenes did come to say “Yes” to Jesus as the Christ and His Lord and Savior, as quoted, “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother…” 1 Corinthians 1:1 Obviously, Paul extended the grace, mercy, and forgiveness of our Lord Jesus to Sosthenes, and in doing so was able to bring Sosthenes to eternal Salvation. Sosthenes was an individual, just one person, whose heart and mind were attentive to the Holy Spirit. This is who Paul wanted to reach, whom God wants all of us to reach, the one individual that is open to say “Yes” to Jesus Christ.

“So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.” Acts 18:18

Paul remained a good while in Corinth, after the failed attempt to have him arrested and prosecuted. The Holy Spirit was still opening doors to share the testimony of Jesus. As followers of Jesus Christ, we desire to remain in places where people are receptive to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When it was time for Paul to leave Corinth, he brought Priscilla and Aquila with him. What better blessing could we have than to “sail” with Chrisitan brothers and sisters in the stormy atheistic world of today’s culture?

Before sailing towards Syria, Paul had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. What was that vow? It is called the “Nazarite Vow.” For thirty days he would let his hair grow long then after that he would shave it off and burn it on the altar as an offering to God. To see the full details of that vow read, Numbers 6:1-21. 

On the map below, Cenchrea is seen just a bit south of Corinth and Syria. Syria is not pictured on the map and is to the east of Cyprus [all the way to the east of the map]. On the way to Syria, Paul would first make a stop in Ephesus, with Priscilla and Aquila.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11