## Study of the Book of Acts - Part 19

(Acts 1:8b) "…Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Tonight we continue to look at the development of Christianity to the Uttermost Part of the Earth.

I. Christianity in Jerusalem 1:1-8:3

II. Christianity in Judea and Samaria 8:4- 12:25

III. Christianity to the Uttermost Part of the World 13:1-28:31

A. The First Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28

B. The Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35

C. The Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22

1. The personnel chosen 15:36-40

2. The churches revisited 15:41-16:4

3. The call to Europe 16:6-10

4. The work at Philippi 16:11-40

5. The work at Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens 17:1-34

6. The Ministry at Corinth 18:1-17

a. With Aquila and Priscilla (v 1-3)

1) They were Roman Jews who were ordered out of Rome around 50 A.D.

2) The Scriptures do not tell us, but it is generally accepted that they were saved in Rome prior to coming to Corinth

3) Paul stayed with this couple because they were also tent makers - the way Paul supported himself

b. Ministering in the synagogue (v 4)

1) Paul continued to work his plan of ministering that he had followed in nearly every city

2) He reasoned with both the Jews and the Greeks in the synagogue with some success

c. Silas and Timothy arrive with encouragement (v 5)

1) They brought with them an offering from Macedonia NOTE: Ph 4:15

(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.

2) This would allow him to give himself totally to preaching which he did as he was 'pressed in the spirit'

3) They also brought good news about the faithfulness of the church at Thessalonica.

(1 Thessalonians 3:6-8) 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: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

4) Paul began to boldly proclaim to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah

d. The reaction to his message (v 6-8)

1) The opposition v 6

a) The Jews 'opposed themselves' and 'blasphemed'

b) They refused to accept the fact that Jesus was the Christ

c) Paul 'shook his raiment' which is reminiscent of he and Barnabas shaking the dust from their feet in Antioch of Pisidia (chapter 13)

d) He declared that he was clean or innocent of their blood and that they were responsible for what would come upon them

e) He stated that he once again would concentrate on his ministry to the Gentiles who would listen and receive!

2) The reception

a) Paul began preaching the message of Christ next door to the synagogue in the house of Justus

b) It was there that the chief ruler of the synagogue and his household believed on the Lord

c) As a result many of the Corinthians heard, believed and were baptized

e. God encouraged Paul through a vision v9-11

1) Knowing the way he had been treated by the Jews who earlier had rejected his message, Paul was likely to welcome this special message

2) The Lord told Paul to keep on ministering to those in Corinth

3) He assured Paul that no harm would come to him

4) With that assurance, we are told that Paul stayed in Corinth a year and a half

f. Paul before Gallio (v 12-17)

1) Gallio was the proconsul of Achaia - which was of course under Roman rule

2) The Jews which had rejected the Gospel message took Paul and brought him before Gallio to be judged

3) Their charge is found in v 13 - 'contrary to the law'

NOTE: Judaism was a licensed religion under Roman law - the Jews didn't accept Christianity but the Romans viewed it as a sect of Judaism

4) Gallio refused to pass judgment and told them to deal with it themselves

5) The Greeks turned on Sosthenes - probably the leader of the group against Paul - and he was beaten before the judgment seat.

NOTE: This may be the same man referred to in Paul s first letter to the Corinthians, if so - it means that he was converted sometime after this incident.

6) Gallio considered it a minor incident not worthy of his concern

7. The Journey completed 18:18-22

a. Paul left the brethren in Corinth and headed back to Syria

b. He had taken a vow and shaved his head in Cenchrea but we are not told why

c. Priscilla and Aquila accompanied Paul as far as Ephesus

d. While in Ephesus he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews as usual

1) The result was much different than usual

2) They desired Paul to stay longer with them, but Paul declined expressing his desire to return to Jerusalem.

NOTE: His sense of urgency here could have something to do with Paul's vow

e. He said good-bye to those in Ephesus and set sail for Caesarea - when he arrived he went up and saluted the church - then he continued on to Antioch

Next time: The Third Missionary Journey begins