Lesson by Pastor John Skaggs

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, P. O. Box 1173, Claypool, Arizona 85532

520-425-8345

Date: 01-11-01

Sermon Number: 032

Text: Acts 18:1-11

Topics Addressed in this Lesson

(The value of persecution, The protection of God, The Remnant)

When we last studied the book of Acts we were concerned with Paul’s sermon found in the seventeenth chapter. From beginning to end it is a revelation of who God is, what He has done, and what He demands of men. The true God is spirit and does not dwell in temples made with human hands. He is the creator who gives life and breath to all creatures. He is self-sufficient and needs nothing from men for all things are already His. This God determines when a man lives, dies, and where he abides while on earth. In short God made us, therefore, He owns us, and He demands repentance of us. In his closing remarks Paul gives his hearers/readers good reason to worship and obey this God. He tells the Athenians that God has appointed a day in which His beloved Son will judge the living and the dead. All men will either be judged on their own merits or Christ’s. If we stand before Christ on our own we will stand in our sin and be damned. But if we stand before the Great Judge having trusting in Him for forgiveness, and acceptance by God, we will not be disappointed. On the contrary, we will enter into our eternal home, which is heaven. There we will rest from all our labors worshipping the blessed trinity for days without end. Lets remind ourselves of Paul’s closing remarks before we move on.

(Acts 17:30-34 NASB) "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, {31} because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." {32} Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this." {33} So Paul went out of their midst. {34} But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them." As always there was a mixed response to the preaching of the Gospel. Some believed and some did not, and Paul moved on to a city named Corinth.

Nelsons New Illustrated Bible Dictionary says this about Corinth. "It was the connecting link between Rome, the capital of the world, and the East. At the time of Paul’s ministry there the city was populated by some 500,000 people. Merchants and sailors, anxious to work the docks, migrated to Corinth. Professional gamblers and athletes flocked to the city to bet on and participate in the games. Slaves, sometimes freed but with no place to go, roamed the streets day and night. And prostitutes (both male and female) were abundant. People from Rome, the rest of Greece, Egypt, Asia Minor—indeed, all of the Mediterranean world—relished the lack of standards and freedom of thought that prevailed in the city. These were the people who eventually made up the Corinthian church. This fact explains the wording Paul used in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, {10} nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. {11} And such were some of you; (he speaks of the Corinthians before they were saved) but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God."

In the outlying areas around Corinth, farmers tended their grain fields, vineyards, and olive groves. But the pulse of Corinth was the city itself. Most of the daily business was conducted in the marble-paved marketplace, in the central part of the city. Archaeologists studying the ruins of this once great city have made some interesting discoveries. For instance, a marble lintel or crosspiece over a door was found near the residential section of Corinth. It bore part of the inscription, "Synagogue of the Hebrews." This may have been the same synagogue in which Paul first proclaimed the gospel message to Corinth.

Today the Temple of Apollo, partially in ruins, towers above the ancient marketplace. Each fluted Doric column, about 24 feet tall was cut from a single piece of stone in one of several quarries outside Corinth’s walls.

Rising 1,500 feet above the city itself and to the south is the Acrocorinth, the acropolis or citadel. From there, the acropolis at Athens, about 45 miles away, can be seen. Also, the infamous Temple of Aphrodite (or Venus) was located on top of this fortified hill. This pagan temple and its 1,000 "religious" prostitutes poisoned the city’s culture and morals. For this reason, the apostle Paul sometimes had to deal harshly with the converts in the Corinthian church. In spite of Corinth’s notorious reputation, God used the apostle Paul to establish a vigorous church in the city about a.d. 51 (Acts 18:1–18). Later, Paul wrote at least two letters to the church at Corinth both dealing with divisions in the church, as well as immorality and the abuse of Christian freedom. (Youngblood, Ronald F., General Editor; F.F. Bruce and R.K. Harrison, Consulting Editors, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1995.) Paul left Athens and came to Corinth.

This brings us to our new material. (Acts 18:1-11 NASB) "After these things he 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."

Claudius Caesar had all Jews and Christians banished from Rome; for the Jews were a "turbulent people". They were easily moved to riot and insurrection. They were hated by the general populace and, therefore, subjected to much hardship and disgrace. The Romans, including Claudius, were unable to distinguish between the Christians and the Jews so both were banished. Christ seemed to be at the heart of the trouble. The Jews hated Christ and were, therefore, often found causing a disturbance or dragging Christians before the courts. Claudius finally threw both groups out of Rome in an effort to solve the problem. The Jews and Christians alike had homes, family, jobs that had to be left behind. This was a very real form of religious persecution and a great trial for all involved. But even in this God was working all things together for good for those who loved Him and were called according to His purpose. As the Christians left Rome in search of new homes they took the message of Christ to people who had never heard the gospel and that is always a very good thing. In the case before us we have two saved Jews, Aquila, and Pricilla, who were banished from Rome to settle in Corinth an evil and godless city. They came with the Gospel on their lips and the unrevealed assignment of befriending and helping the Apostle Paul in his work. Through their hardship God did much good to Paul and an entire city. Lets continue our reading with the second half of verse two.

". . . He came to them, {3} and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working; for by trade they were tent-makers. {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, (apparently with a donation from the churches there) Paul (left off tent making and) began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. {6} And when they resisted (KJV translates the original "opposed themselves".) and blasphemed, (The Greek word used here means to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely of sacred things: it speaks of hurling abuse, maligning, reviling, of slandering or lying. In this case it was a person, Jesus Christ the Lord, who they slandered. Paul said He was the Messiah, the Jews denied the truth and, as the scripture records, they accused Him of being in cahoots with the devil. This is what it means to blaspheme. When Paul had done his best . . .) 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."

In reference to this text one man wrote, "When Paul says that the Jews resisted the Gospel he uses a word that literally means, "to arrange in battle array". Which is to say, they organized themselves to fight Paul’s teaching and, as is indicated, even blasphemed the name of Christ, (Matt. 12:31–32; Luke 22:64–65). After exercising much patience Paul realized he was casting the beautiful pearls of the Gospel before swine (Matt. 7:6) and, therefore, shook out his garments in the traditional, dramatic, Jewish gesture of rejection. His audience knew exactly what he was doing for the Jews, returning from Gentile lands, customarily shook the dust off their sandals, an act which symbolized hatred of and rejection of non-Jews (Luke 9:5; Acts 13:51). Paul’s act symbolized his rejection of the Jews. His shocking statement, "your blood be upon your own heads! I am clean" (Josh. 2:19; 2 Sam. 1:16; 1 Kings 2:37; Ezek. 18:13; 33:4; Matt. 27:25) indicated that his opponents were fully responsible for what they were doing. Like the faithful watchman of Ezekiel 33:2–5, Paul absolved himself from any guilt connected with their rejection of the gospel and, therefore, of Christ."

The way the King James Bible translates this verse, by saying they "opposed themselves" is very revealing. The NAS may be and probably is more accurate but the KJV defines clearly what anyone who resists the gospel is doing. They are opposing themselves. They set themselves in battle array against their own good and eternal future. They feel they are protecting their beliefs and traditions, even their own freedom. When in reality, they are taking a shovel in their hands to dig their way into hell. This is surly something to remember as we expose ourselves week after week to God’s truth. Any time we fail to submit to the words and instructions of God we are making war against our own peace and comfort here on earth and against our never-dying souls. So I offer this warning, beware of resisting the gospel for in doing so you oppose your own good now and in eternity.

Paul also says that the Jews blasphemed. Which is to say they railed against Christ saying that He was not who Paul said He was. They denied that He did what Paul said He did, which was live and die for the salvation of sinners. In short they rejected Jesus by rejecting Paul and his message. They did not believe and did all they could to keep others from believing as well. They blasphemed. Having given them every opportunity to hear the gospel and trust in Christ Paul gave up. He shook off his garments and washed his hands of them. From that moment they were on their own. He tried to help them but they rejected him. He had performed his duty, he had preached the Gospel and could do no more. They might believe and they might not but Paul’s hands were clean, his job was done. What all this means can be discovered in the book of Ezekiel.

(Ezekiel 33:6-20 NASB) "But if the watchman (that is Paul in our study today) sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman's hand.' {7} "Now as for you, son of man, (he is speaking to the prophet Ezekiel) I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth, and give them warning from Me. {8} "When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die,' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. {9} "But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your life. {10} "Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, 'Thus you have spoken, saying, "Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we are rotting away in them; how then can we survive?"' {11} "Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?"

Ezekiel’s hands were clean, meaning he was no longer responsible for the souls of the people of Israel if they continued in their unbelief and rebellion against God. What absolved him of responsibility was the fact that he shared the gospel with them. He identified their sin and called them to repentance. His job was done. So it was with Paul. He worked hard for the souls of his countrymen. He led them to the scriptures and showed them the truth about their sin and the Christ. He explained that Jesus’ blood and righteousness had purchased salvation for all who would come to Him by faith. He tired hard to persuade them while he prayed faithfully for their conversion. Finally, after their continued resistance and blaspheme, Paul shook out his garments saying in effect, "I have done my duty, you are on your own." They knew the truth and rejected it, therefore, their guilt remained and hell was in their future. Paul turned to the Gentiles with the good news.

Does this have anything to do with us? Indeed it does. There is a clear application to all ministers and teachers of truth. Such servants of God must tell the truth to all who are in their charge. They must not allow any within the sphere of their influence to remain ignorant of the Gospel. The minister/teacher must proclaim the fact that God demands of all men repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ. He must be as persuasive as humanly possible while praying for the sinner’s submission to Christ. But beyond teaching the truth, praying, and trying to convince the sinner there is nothing else he can do. For salvation is impossible with men. Therefore, when the teaching, praying, and convincing are all done the sinner is on his own. The minister is free of all guilt and responsibility. If such a person dies without Christ he will answer to God for himself. The preacher/teacher is free of guilt.

Likewise, parents bear the responsibility of evangelizing their children. The husband bears the greatest responsibility for God has made him the head and priest of the household. His wife and children are subject to him and he to Christ. He must make certain that his wife and children understand their condition before God and their need to trust in Christ. He must be faithful in setting before them the truth, he must be a living testimony of what it means to be a Christian. He cannot save them but he must do all in his power to make certain his family understands their guilt and need of Christ. When he has done all he can to make his family understand their need of Jesus, his hands are clean. He will bear no guilt if some or all of his family members reject Christ. Sometimes a wife, or older child will not permit a husband to speak to them of Jesus? In that case, the effort having been made, the husband is free of all responsibility and guilt. Such people will stand before God to be judged for having rejected Christ.

Sadly there comes a time when all preachers and teachers of the gospel must give up on some to speak to others who might be willing to hear. This is what Paul did in the case of the Jews. Acts 18:7. "And he departed from there (the Synagogue) and went to the house of a certain man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. {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.

As the lesson began I indicated that the rejection of Paul’s teaching was not complete. God has a remnant in every place that He will save by the preaching and teaching of truth. In this instance the elect Jew who came to faith in Christ was the leader of the synagogue. This man believed, was saved, and shared the gospel with his family who also believed in Jesus. Together they all gave themselves to baptism. So we see that no matter how discouraging it becomes, teachers of truth, which we all are, can expect to see some fruit of their work. (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NASB) "Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good."

Whether you are called to be a Pastor, Elder, Deacon, carpenter, housewife, or anything else, sharing the gospel with others can be a discouraging and fearful experience. Some have foolishly declared that if one is born again they will never be afraid of men again. In light of such an ignorant statement I ask, was Paul saved? Was he filled with the Holy Spirit? Was he a faithful follower of Jesus a possessor of all the Apostolic gifts? And finally, was he ever afraid and discouraged? The answer is yes to all of these questions. Paul was a man of flesh, blood, and emotion just like us. Look with me at verse nine.

One man wrote in reference to this verse: "As he arrived in Corinth, Paul felt greater discouragement. The combination of only limited success at Athens, loneliness, and the prospect of facing this city, with its commerce and vice, accounts for the weakness and fear that gripped the apostle as he arrived to begin his work". Reflecting on his state of mind when he first arrived in their city, Paul later wrote to the Corinthians, "I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling" (1 Corinthians. 2:3). He also spoke of this in his first letter to the Thessalonians, written from Corinth. In 1 Thessalonians 3:7, Paul wrote, "For this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith." Paul and those who worked with him experienced many afflictions and were by them distressed. They experienced weakness, fear, and much trembling. They were as we are.

First, speaking of the danger posed by the Jews God says, "Don’t be afraid." In spite of the fact that they hated Paul and his message God says, "Do not be afraid." In spite of the fact that they crucified Christ and killed Steven God says, "Do not be afraid". Though they were enraged by the conversion of the chief ruler of their synagogue, God says, "Do not be afraid." Rather, speak and do not be silent!"

Our gracious Father then offers three encouragements to our brother meant to spur him on to obedience. First He says, speak boldly "For I am with you!" God was on Paul’s side and would not leave him on his own. This was a powerful encouragement to Paul as we see by reading Romans 8:31-39. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? {32} He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? {33} Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; . . . Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . {38} For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, {39} nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

One man speaking in reference to this text wrote, " Whom he did predestinate, those he also called. In this city, though it was very profane wicked city, full of impurity, and the more so for a temple of Venus was there, which was very popular, in this heap, that seems to be all chaff, there is wheat; in this ore, that seems to be all dross, there is gold. Let us not despair concerning any place, when even in Corinth Christ had much people. I have them, says He, though they know Me not, though they are led captive by Satan at his will; for the Father has given them to me, to be a seed to serve me; I have them written in the book of life; I have their names down, and of all that were given Me I will lose none; I have them, for I am sure to save them." End Quote

By this Paul’s fear and discouragement was driven away. He was refreshed in his work and labored there for one year and six months.

The lessons contained in this text are valuable ones for the Christian.

First, we are made to understand our responsibility to evangelize our friends, and relatives. We must pray for their souls and speak to them of Jesus when given opportunity. Further, we learn that when we have done our best we are absolved of all guilt and responsibility concerning the eternal disposition of their souls.

Second, in this lesson, we find much to drive away the fear and anxieties we all experience from time to time. The text reminds us that God is with each of us wherever we go, He will never leave us or forsake us. Our Good Father will protect us spiritually forever and physically until our work on earth is done.

Thirdly, and finally, we find much encouragement in this lesson to help us with our work for God and His kingdom. For here we are reminded that in every place, every city, however corrupt, God has a remnant, a number of His elect, His lost sheep, who will in His time respond to the Gospel and be saved. Therefore the Preacher says, "Sow your seed in the morning, and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good." (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NASB