New Leaders: Aquila & Priscilla and Apollos Acts 18 New Leaders: Aquila & Priscilla and Apollos

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, 1Peter 3:14-16 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, Next Slide

and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ, may be ashamed.” Comments in NOTES

who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. Acts 18:1-3  “Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.  There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. Next Slide

They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.” Comments in NOTES

And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Acts 18:4-6  “Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. Next Slide

He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, ‘Your blood is upon your own heads -I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.’” Comments in NOTES

next door to the synagogue. Acts 18:7-11  “Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Comments in NOTES

“Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, ‘Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to Me.’ Comments in NOTES

“I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 1Corinthians 2:3-5 “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Comments in NOTES

“So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, Acts 18:11 “So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.” Comments in NOTES

Acts 18:12-17  ”But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of ‘persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.’ Next Slide

But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, ‘Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. Next Slide

I refuse to judge such matters.’ And he threw them out of the courtroom. The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.” Comments in NOTES

There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, Acts 18:18a  “Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow.” Comments in NOTES

“Paul was not likely to leave Corinth immediately after Gallio had given his decision. That decision, which (without Gallio’s intending it so) proved so favorable for Paul’s mission, was probably given in the summer or early fall of A.D. 51; Paul stayed on for the ensuing winter.” F. F. Bruce Comments in NOTES

he went to the synagogue Acts 18:18b-22 “Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him. They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. Comments in NOTES

NLT “They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. Acts 18:20-21 NLT “They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. As he left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God Willing.” NKJV “but took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; “I will return again to you, God willing." Next Slide Lenski

but not as a part of Luke’s text “The Codex Bezae again inserts a commentary that Paul explained that he had to attend the festival in Jerusalem (the A. V. accepts this reading). We, too, accept it, but not as a part of Luke’s text but as comment that offers an apparently correct explanation as to why Paul hurried on from Ephesus.” R. C. H. Lenski Comments in NOTES

“And he sailed from Ephesus. The next stop was at the port of Caesarea. From there he went up and visited the church at Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch.” Next Slide MAP of trip home

Explain the return trip

Acts 18:23-28  “After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.” Comments in NOTES

However, he knew only about John’s baptism.” “Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism.” Comments in NOTES

“…We know that we all have knowledge. 1Corinthians 8:1 “…We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” Next Slide

“When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.” Comments in NOTES

John’s baptism symbolized “His (Apollos) doctrine regarding Jesus was accurate but deficient. Probably this means Apollos did not know about the Holy Spirit’s baptism. John’s baptism symbolized cleansing by God because of repentance toward God (cf. 19:4). Next Slide

But Christian baptism pictures union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection by means of Spirit baptism.” (cf. Rom. 6:3–10; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12) J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck

“Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, Acts 18:27-28 “Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. Next Slide

he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.” Closing Missionary Slide