Acts 19:21-41 – Unhappy People

Read Acts 19:21-41

We see some serious backlash in today’s reading. There will always be people that don’t choose to follow Christ. Think of the conflict going on for those working with the silversmith with the contract for all the goddess shrines. It’s one thing to watch your business start to evaporate. What happens when you believe in God’s word and realize your job is a lie?

It sounds like the former was the case here. Not only did they fear lost wages but also their beloved goddess was losing her credibility. For those listening to Paul and believing his message, Artemis’ credibility was shot. So, thanks to the silversmith,  Demetrius, the community is in chaos and a riot ensues. Paul wants desperately to sort it all out, but thankfully other believers keep him out of harm’s way. Continue reading “Acts 19:21-41 – Unhappy People”

Acts 19:8-20 – Be Careful

Read Acts 19:8-20

There’s a lot going on in our reading today.  Paul remains faithful and finds a way to get the word out despite running into roadblocks and rejection. Now he’s teaching every day in a school, and more and more people are hearing his words.  God continues to reward him. Now even an article Paul touches can be used for miraculous purposes!

We often face rejection. How do we handle it? Do we let it stop our forward momentum? Are we crippled with doubt? Take a lesson from Paul and find Plan B. Never let other people’s rejection stop you from your God-given mission. Continue reading “Acts 19:8-20 – Be Careful”

Acts 19:1-7 – On the Road Again

Read Acts 19:1-7

The third missionary journey begins. Paul has been refreshed, and we hear Apollos is doing his thing in Corinth now. Paul must want to check in with all the communities of faith he planted during his last two journeys. This time, his first main stop was in Ephesus. We know this town is a hub of sea and land, also capital and leading business center of the province of Asia (now part of Turkey). I read that he stayed there for two years. While there, he penned his first letter to the church in Corinth. (I have written on these passages in this blog previously.)

As he arrives, he first encounters some believers who didn’t know about the Holy Spirit. They had received John’s baptism of repentance.  That was a fantastic step because John made it clear someone great was coming after him that would baptize with something more powerful than water. People didn’t yet grasp the whole story. They were on the verge of having great power within but didn’t know to ask for it. Continue reading “Acts 19:1-7 – On the Road Again”

Acts 18:24-28 – The Missing Piece

Read Acts 18:24-28

It seems this Chapter is closing with a scene change and diversion. We meet a new believer, Apollos. He is using his natural talent of speaking to proclaim the Good News. We hear he is a Jew from Egypt, specifically Alexandria, the second most important city in the Roman Empire. It doesn’t take long, and he meets up with Priscilla and Aquila. Thankfully, they are able to fill him in on the whole story. There was a missing piece in his understanding — he was only aware of John’s baptism.

I liked how even though Apollos was well educated and his knowledge of Scripture spot on, he was coachable. He was open to learning more, to digging deeper into his faith. He welcomed the counsel of Priscilla and Aquila and incorporated it into his teaching. He always relied on the Scriptures. Once clarified, his message was clear and bold, “The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.” When we can be willing and open to learning more, imagine then moving closer to all that God wants for us to be. Continue reading “Acts 18:24-28 – The Missing Piece”

Acts 18:18-23 – God’s Strategy

Read Acts 18:18-23

I’ve read that Paul’s time in Corinth was one of the most strategic times in his ministry. We know that Corinth was a tumultuous place full of materialism and other vices. There was even a Temple of Aphrodite towering over the city. I recently learned that the word, “corinthianize” was a synonym for fornication. It was the leading commercial city of Greece. Paul persevered and preached and taught there for quite a while, as that was God’s desire and strategy. Two more books of the Bible are dedicated to this community of believers.

This passage brings Paul’s second missionary journey to an end as Paul returns to Antioch. There have been perils and valleys, but the Lord was always faithful. We’ve seen how Paul navigated all of these trials and how God intervened. In today’s reading, I see Paul as a man who wants to go home to Jerusalem. He wants to surround himself with Jews who have accepted Jesus. He needs to be recharged. Continue reading “Acts 18:18-23 – God’s Strategy”

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