Coachlight Bible Study - Acts Chapter 18 - 19:7

Paul's Second Missionary Journey Part Three

Athens to Corinth - Corinth to Cenchrea and Ephesis

Ephesis to Caesarea, Jerusalem and back to Antioch in Syria (End of Second Journey)

Through Galatia and Phrygia to Ephesis -  (Beginning of Third Journey)

 

We do not find Paul persecuted in Athens,  or find him driven from there as he was before by the Jews. Departing from Athens, Paul came to Corinth.  In Corinth he is instrumental in planting a church that became considerable. Corinth was the chief city of Achaia,  now a province of the empire,  a rich and splendid city. Paul ends his second journey by attending a feast in Jerusalem and begins his third by bringing the Baptism of the Holy Goast to disciples of John in Ephesis.

 

I. Paul Goes To Corinth - Acts 18:1-3

A. Paul departs Athens goes to Corinth

B. Corinth main city of Achaia

C. Works with Aguila and Priscilla

1.Aquila was a Jew but born in Pontus

2. Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers

3. Paul calls them "his helpers in Christ Jesus" when writing the church at Rome

 

Romans 16:3  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

 

4. Aquila and Priscilla moved from Italy to Corinth - Jews were hated in Rome

a. Emperor Claudius Caesar gave a late edict

b. All Jews were banished from Rome

c. Rome didn't distinquish between Jews and Christians

D. Paul Works as a Tentmaker - Paul maintained himself with his own labour that he might not be chargeable to the churches

 

2 Corinthians 11:7  Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

2 Thessalonians 3:8  Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

2 Thessalonians 3:9  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

II. The Jews Reject Paul - Acts 18:4-6

A. He reasoned with them in the synagogue publicly every sabbath - not by force

1. God invites us to come and reason with Him

 

Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

 

2. God challenges sinners to produce their cause and give him their strong reasons

 

Isaiah 41:21  Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob. {Produce: Heb. Cause to come near}

 

3. Paul preached more than just on the sabbaths in the synagogues

a. Paul was set free from tent making for a while - when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia

 

1 Thessalonians 3:6  But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

2 Corinthians 11:9  And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

Philippians 4:15  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

 

b. Timothy and Silas helped Paul when they returned

 

2 Corinthians 1:19  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

B. Paul abandons the unbelieving Jews and turns to the Gentiles

1. They opposed themselves - literally to range in battle array

 

498 antitassomai antitassomai an-tee-tas’-som-ahee

from 473 and the middle voice of 5021; ; v

AV-resist 4, oppose (one’s) self 1; 5

 

1) to range in battle against

2) to oppose one’s self, resist

 

Other times used in New Testament

 

Romans 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1 Peter 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

 

2. They couldn't argue through it so they blasphemed - Like the Antichrist

 

Revelation 13:5  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. {to continue: or, to make war}

Revelation 13:6  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

 

3.Paul had done all he could for the unbelieving Jews

a. Paul shook his clothes - Same verb as used to denote shaking of dust

 

Mark 6:11  And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. {and: Gr. or}

 

b. "Your blood be upon your own heads" - The Jews used this very phrase in assuming responsibility for the blood of Jesus

 

Matthew 27:25  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

 

c. He will devote himself to the Gentiles, but Jews will be converted also. (As in Ephesus - Acts19:1-10 and in Rome - Acts 28:23-28 - Paul will preach also to Jews.

 

III. Crispus and many Gentiles are converted - Acts 18:7-8

A. Paul went to the house of Justus

1. As Christ had told His disciples

 

Luke 10:7  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

 

2. Justus worshipped God

3. Justus' house was close to the Synagogue

B. The Ruler of the synagogue and his house is converted

C. Many Gentiles that heard believed

D. All were baptised

 

IV. Paul Has a Night Vision of Courage - Acts 18:9-11

A. Don't be afraid

B. Don't shut up

C. I am with thee

 

 

Like the ratification of the Divine Comission:

 

Matthew 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: {teach…: or, make disciples, or, Christians of all nations}

Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

D. No one will hurt you

E. I have many people here - "Phrase word picture"

 

I have much people -laov estin moi poluv - laov estin moi poluv - Dative of personal interest. "There is to me much people," not yet saved, but who will be if Paul holds on.

 

F. Paul Continued There one and a half years teaching the Word.

 

V. Gallio Will Not Try Paul - Acts 18:12-17

A. The Jews Bring Paul before Gallio - Deputy of Achaia

B. Blamed him for teaching people to worship God contrary to the law.

C. Gallio would preside over if it were lewdness or wrong doing

D. Since it was of thier own law Gallio would not judge on this matter

E. Gallio sent them away

VI. Return to Antioch - Acts 18:18-22

A.Paul Leaves Corinth - sails back to Syria

B. Prisilla and Aquila went with him

C. One of them made a vow shorn head in Cenchrea

D. Sailed to Ephesis

1. Departed from Aquila and Priscilla

2. Went to synagogue and reasoned with the Jews

a. This time Jews wanted Paul to stay

b. Paul explained he was going to Jerusalem for a feast

c. Paul would return God willing

E. Paul went to his feast in Jerusalem for a short time

1. He saluted the church

2. Returned to Antioch in Syria - End of Paul's second journey.

VII. All Through Galatia and Phyrgia - Strengthing the disciples - Acts 18:23

VIII. Apollos Teaches at Ephesis - Acts 18:24-25

A. Apollos born in Alexandria

B. Apollos eloquent - or learned

C. Mighty in the Scriptures

D. Fervent in the Spirit

E. Taught diligently the things of the Lord

F. Knew only the baptism of John

IX. Aquila and Priscilla heard of Apollos' Teachings - Acts 18:26-28

A. They took Apollos aside and taught him more of the gospel

B. Apollos convinced many of the Jews

C. Taught Jesus was Christ by Scriptures

D. They wrote the brethern of Corinth to accept Apollos

X. Paul returns To Ephesis - Acts 19:1-7

A. Paul finds 12 disciples - after Apollos went to Corinth

B. Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

C. The disciples replied, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."

D. They were baptised in water

E. They were baptised in the Holy Ghost - upon laying on of hands

1. They spoke in tongues

2. They Prophesied