Acts 18 ãLessons from Corinth

Corinth Athens Delphi

Corinth Athens Delphi

Corinth ãIsthmus with skids built over ãTherefore a trade center ãVery wealthy ãLearning center

Corinth Religious pluralism-- ãDemeter & Bacchus cult ãAphrodite temple ã temple prostitutes ãMystery religions

Corinth The Romans claimed Corinth was so debauched, just visiting the city was defiling

Corinth ãTheir religious and philosophical worldview had no adequate basis for objective moral norms

CorinthSummary: ãAlcohol & Drugs ãWealth & materialism ãOccult ãRampant sexuality ãMoral anarchy

CorinthSummary: ãAlcohol & Drugs ãWealth & materialism ãOccult ãRampant sexuality ãMoral anarchy But not resistant to Christ!

CorinthSummary: ãAlcohol & Drugs ãWealth & materialism ãOccult ãRampant sexuality ãMoral anarchy But not resistant to Christ! The emptiness of a life based on self- gratification leaves us crying out: The emptiness of a life based on self- gratification leaves us crying out:

CorinthSummary: ãAlcohol & Drugs ãWealth & materialism ãOccult ãRampant sexuality ãMoral anarchy But not resistant to Christ! The emptiness of a life based on self- gratification leaves us crying out: The emptiness of a life based on self- gratification leaves us crying out: Is this all?

The Corinthian Ministry Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.

The Corinthian Ministry Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Suetonius, Claudius, 25:4

The Corinthian Ministry Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Suetonius, Claudius, 25:4 Claudius “expelled the Jews from Rome because they were indulging in constant riots at the instigation of Chrestus.”

The Corinthian Ministry Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Suetonius, Claudius, 25:4 Claudius “expelled the Jews from Rome because they were indulging in constant riots at the instigation of Chrestus.” “Chrestus” could be an alternative spelling for “Christus”

The Corinthian Ministry Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Later Careers: Appear a number of times in Acts, operating mainly out of Ephesus Aquila & Priscilla

The Corinthian Ministry Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Later Careers: Appear a number of times in Acts, operating mainly out of Ephesus Increasingly, Priscilla becomes the leading figure Aquila & Priscilla

The Corinthian Ministry Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Acts 18:1 After these things he [Paul] left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. Later Careers: Appear a number of times in Acts, operating mainly out of Ephesus Increasingly, Priscilla becomes the leading figure Found in Rome at the time of the letter to Romans, (16:3) Aquila & Priscilla

The Corinthian Ministry Acts 18:3 He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent-makers. Acts 18:3 He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent-makers.

The Corinthian Ministry 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry “Tent-making” = a valid and often preferred approach to ministry financing

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry “Tent-making” = a valid and often preferred approach to ministry financing - because it requires no church funds, it should be the norm for all Christians

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry “Tent-making” = a valid and often preferred approach to ministry financing - because it requires no church funds, it should be the norm for all Christians - When the church needs certain people full or part time, they may be paid a reasonable wage

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry - Although paying selected Christian workers is biblical, this should never be a means of personal enrichment

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry - Although paying selected Christian workers is biblical, this should never be a means of personal enrichment - Accounting and handling of funds should be public and beyond reproach II Cor. 8:21 “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.”

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry Principles of Church Finance -

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry Principles of Church Finance - Our Response: - Moderate wages

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry Principles of Church Finance - Our Response: - Moderate wages 108 FTE’s on staff Avg. Full time pay = < $37k = < $37k Max. = $52.6k Max. = $52.6k + $18k + $18k

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry Principles of Church Finance - Our Response: - Moderate wages - Open accounting

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry Principles of Church Finance - Our Response: - Moderate wages - Open accounting - Auditing

4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. The Corinthian Ministry Principles of Church Finance - Our Response: - Moderate wages - Open accounting - Auditing - Mostly tentmaking

The Corinthian Ministry 6 And when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads! I am clean. From now on I shall go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he departed from there and went to the house of a certain man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue.

The Corinthian Ministry 8 And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.

The Corinthian Ministry 8 And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized.

The Corinthian Ministry 9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”

The Corinthian Ministry 9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”

The Corinthian Ministry 9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”

The Corinthian Ministry 11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”

The Corinthian Ministry 11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” Gallio: Lucius Junius Gallio: Brother to Seneca

The Corinthian Ministry 11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” Gallio: Lucius Junius Gallio: Brother to Seneca Proconsul in Achaia from June 51 to June 53. (Delphi Stone)

The Corinthian Ministry 11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” Gallio: Lucius Junius Gallio: Brother to Seneca Proconsul in Achaia from June 51 to June 53. (Delphi Stone) This incident = summer 51 AD

The Corinthian Ministry 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.”

The Corinthian Ministry 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. And Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

The Corinthian Ministry 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. And Gallio was not concerned about any of these things. 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth…

The Corinthian Ministry 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. And Gallio was not concerned about any of these things. 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth… Rom. 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

The Corinthian Ministry 18 And Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren and put out to sea for Syria 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. The Corinthian Ministry

22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. The Corinthian Ministry

ãThe second journey was done! ãPaul had planted indigenous groups in at least 5 different locations (probably 6) ãHe had likely sustained at least 2 more beatings and numerous threats to his life ãThe journey had lasted 2 1/2 years The Corinthian Ministry

ãThose new groups were already proliferating Christianity all over Greece and Asia Minor... ãNext Week: ãThe third journey The Corinthian Ministry

ãComments? ãQuestions? ãExperiences?