the conversion of the Corinthians Acts 18 the conversion of the Corinthians (Acts 18:1-11) READ Paul went to Corinth near the end of his second missionary journey Corinth was the commercial capital of Greece (500,000 people). Filled with immorality (It is believed that 1,000 prostitutes served the Pagan temple in the city) Compare to our modern day Las Vegas, or San Francisco NOTE THAT OPPOSITION WAS FOUND THERE (VS. 6,9,10) Even amid persecution, good can come. Many were converted (vs. 8). Paul was able to teach the word among them for 18 months (vs. 11).

the conversion of the Corinthians The Message (5) 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 15:3-4 The message Paul preached was "Jesus is Christ“ (Same as always, same today!) (Acts 18:5), “When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.” Consider his words to the Corinthians about his time with them (1 Corinthians 2:1-5), “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Message, Christ crucified (vs. 2), NOT the wisdom of men (vs. 1) Because of this their faith would be in the power of God (vs. 5) (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), [The gospel contains…], “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” These passages tell us that the message revealed who Jesus is, the sacrifice He made, the salvation that is available through Him and how man must obey Him.

the conversion of the Corinthians The Message (5) 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 15:3-4 The Response (6,8) 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 The Response: How did the Corinthians respond? What did they do upon hearing the message? Obviously, there were some who turned a deaf ear (Acts 18:6), “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.” However, "many" did respond in obedience. (Acts 18:8), “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.” They heard the gospel They believed the preaching about Jesus. They repented of their sins. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” They were baptized

the conversion of the Corinthians The Message (5) 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 15:3-4 The Response (6,8) 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 The Change (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) 1 Corinthians 6:20; 11:1,3; 2 Corinthians 7:1 The Change (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” In becoming Christians, the Corinthians had to and did make some drastic changes in their lives. From this we learn: The gospel of Christ can change the worst of lives. The life they lived after obeying the gospel was different, it was a life unto God. (1 Corinthians 6:20), [Their purpose was to glorify God], “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 11:1,3) [They were now to follow Christ], (1), “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (3), “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) [They were to fear God], “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Sin must cease when one becomes a Christian. True repentance demanded that their fornication, homosexuality, drunkenness, etc. stop! Notice again, that the text says, "such were some of you.“ (Note: Make this point regarding the necessity of leaving a marriage that involved adultery (cf. Mt. 19).

the conversion of the Corinthians The Message (5) 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, 15:3-4 The Response (6,8) 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 The Change (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) 1 Corinthians 6:20; 11:1,3; 2 Corinthians 7:1 The Results (1 Corinthians 1:2) 1 Corinthians 6:11; 15:56-58 The Results Various terms and expressions are used to describe those who were converted by the gospel. These words tell us what they became by obedience to the gospel. A church was established (They were called out of sin/darkness to salvation/light). (1 Corinthians 1:2), “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours” They were sanctified which means they were separated from sin and unto God (1 Corinthians 1:2) SEE ABOVE (1 Corinthians 6:11), “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” They were saved, washed and justified. Consequently they gained the hope of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:56-58), “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Any can be saved who believe the message, obey the commands and make the changes! C0nclusion You can be saved just like the Corinthians when you believe the same message, obey the same commands and make the same kind of changes. You will also receive the same results. This is the promise of the Lord Himself: (Mark 16:15-16), “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”