Be Still…

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”

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”

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”

Read Acts 18:1-17

Paul has moved on to Corinth. We see what is almost like an instant replay of the events that have taken place in Thessalonica and Athens. Paul finds the synagogue and begins to teach and preach about Jesus. He wants his fellow Jews to hear the Good News. Whether his testimony is met with acceptance or rejection, God gives Paul the encouragement and drive to continue. We see a persistence in Paul that is very attractive. He takes his mission for God very seriously.

If you’ve been in ministry, you know that continually being “beaten up” or “beaten down” takes a toll. Paul was not a super-human, he was like us. In his obedience, God provided. First, the Hebrew Christian friends Paul encountered in Priscilla and Aquila. Paul has been on his own for a while, and God knew he needed some refreshment from companionship. Yet, we see Paul’s fuse is all but gone when he lashes out to the Jewish opposition saying, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.” Continue reading “Acts 18:1-17 – Spiritual Endurance”

Read Acts 17:16-34

Paul is on his own in Athens because his ministry partners have not yet joined him. If you’re like me, when you’re in a new city, you like to drive around and explore. Paul is doing this, too, only on foot presumably. He’s seeing a lot of idols all around. When you’re not used to seeing that kind of thing, it can make you curious or uncomfortable. Paul was troubled and chose to be bold and speak out. Not only did he speak in the synagogues, he was granted an audience of the scholars, philosophers, and even the high council.

When we see things in our world that aren’t right, what is our first inclination? Do we sit back and hope that someone else will take care of it? Do we start a rally to get people behind the cause to fix it? Do we quietly pray for God to help us know how to help? I think of all of the advertisements and videos I’ve watched recently about plastic pollution in the world. It’s frightening. I want to do something, yet I don’t have the boldness of Paul. So I’m using glass and boycotting straws. I’m applauding the bold ones like Paul who can see a big picture solution and are making it happen. Continue reading “Acts 17:16-34 – God is Close”