Fall

Page 1 of 8

November 29 Lesson 13

TEACHING GOD’S WORD DEVOTIONAL READING: Matthew 28:16-20 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 18

ACTS 18:1-11, 18-21A 1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 5

Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. 7

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 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.” 18

KEY VERSES One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” —Acts 18:9, 10

LESSON AIMS After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to: 1. List the names of those who supported Paul during his ministry in Corinth. 2. Compare and contrast Paul’s ministries in Corinth and Athens. 3. Participate in a mock debate on the proposal that all missionary endeavors should follow Paul’s “tentmaker” model.

LESSON OUTLINE Introduction

file:///C:/ProgramData/WORDsearch/QuickVerse%2010/Cache/%7BB83010F9-CA69-42...

7/31/2015

Fall

Page 2 of 8

A. Displacement for Ministry B. Lesson Background

I. New Connection (ACTS 18:1-4) A. Making Tents (vv. 1-3) Policy Writing for God B. Presenting Christ (v. 4)

II. Renewed Connection (ACTS 18:5-11) A. Turning to the Gentiles (vv. 5, 6) He Sends Help B. Baptizing Jews and Gentiles (vv. 7, 8) C. Receiving a Vision (vv. 9-11)

III. New Mission Field (ACTS 18:18-21A) A. Sailing for Syria (v. 18) B. Reasoning in Ephesus (vv. 19-21a)

Conclusion A. Adaptability for Ministry B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Introduction A. Displacement for Ministry I am now living in the seventh state for which I have had a driver’s license. Each move has involved joining a different church with different ministry involvements. My wife and I can attest to the fact that it is sometimes difficult to make such adjustments. It is not only hard to make new friends, but also hard to find one’s niche in the programs of a new church. Even so, we have had it easy compared with the apostle Paul. There were no churches in the towns he visited—he had to start them! Indeed, planting churches was his task. But it seems that no sooner had he gotten started in doing so than he would be run out of town by opponents. This happened time after time. Today’s lesson offers us an exception in that Paul was able to stay in Corinth for about 18 months, his longest period of located ministry in a church he planted up until that time. But a year and a half still isn’t very long! Yet that was the nature of Paul’s ministry vocation. He was driven by his desire to spread the gospel and directed by the Holy Spirit to be on the move.

B. Lesson Background We are able to date Paul’s time in Corinth more precisely than any other point in his ministry. Acts 18:12 mentions that Gallio was “proconsul of Achaia” (the Roman province in southern Greece) at the time. Archaeologists have discovered an inscription that allows us to date Gallio’s tenure in Corinth to be AD 51-53, meaning that Paul’s 18 months there overlapped that span of time in some way. Corinth at the time was large and important. The Romans had destroyed the city in 146 BC but planted a Roman colony in the same place 102 years later, in 44 BC. That effort recognized the area’s strategic location on a narrow strip of land that connected the Peloponnesian Peninsula to the south with the larger Greek Peninsula to the north. This isthmus, less than five miles wide at its narrowest, had been improved with the diolkos: a stone pavement and a carved track for cartwheels or wooden skids that allowed ships to be plucked from the waters of the Ionian Sea to the west, transported overland, and refloated in the Aegean Sea to the east (or vice versa). This procedure eliminated hundreds of miles of dangerous sailing around the Peloponnesian Peninsula. The city of Corinth controlled this operation and reaped substantial income from it. This made Corinth a center of trade, with a very diverse and cosmopolitan citizenry as a result. The fact that Paul could spend 18 months there and then move on for reasons other than fear of life and limb certainly distinguished this mission field from others he had encountered to that point!

I. New Connection (ACTS 18:1-4)

A. Making Tents (vv. 1-3) 1. After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. Paul does not linger in Athens (last week’s lesson) as he heads to the next big city: Corinth. Reliable population estimates for cities in antiquity are notoriously difficult to come by. But population density studies suggest Corinth’s inhabitants to number at least 95,000. Other studies propose a number as much as three times that figure—we just don’t know. In any case, Corinth is one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire, about 50 miles west of smaller Athens.

file:///C:/ProgramData/WORDsearch/QuickVerse%2010/Cache/%7BB83010F9-CA69-42...

7/31/2015

Fall

Page 3 of 8

HOW TO SAY IT Achaia

Uh-kay-uh.

Aquila

Ack-wih-luh.

Aegean Berea

Uh-jee-un. Buh-ree-uh.

Caesarea Maritima Cenchrea

Sen-kree-uh.

diolkos (Greek) Gallio

Nazirite

Guh-may-lih-ul or Guh-may-lee-al. Eye-owe-nee-un. Naz-uh-rite.

Peloponnesian Thessalonica Titius

dih-all-kos (o as in cost).

Gal-ee-o.

Gamaliel Ionian

Sess-uh-ree-uh Mar-uh-tee-muh.

Peh-luh-puh-nee-shun. Thess-uh-lo-nye-kuh (th as in thin).

Tish-us (i as in dish). 2. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,

Paul is without his fellow travelers Timothy and Silas (see v. 5, below), but he finds companionship nonetheless. Aquila is originally from the region of Pontus (see Acts 2:9), which is on the southern shore of the Black Sea. Pontus has a strong trading relationship with Rome, and Aquila seems to be a successful businessman. Claudius is emperor from AD 41 to 54. His edict of AD 49 for the expulsion of all Jews from the city of Rome appears to have been prompted by violent fighting, perhaps mob-led killings, between the Christian and non-Christian Jews in the city. Claudius was not interested in sorting out this controversy with an eye to justice, so he apparently just kicked all Jews out of the city wholesale. This married couple seems to have been able to relocate their business to Corinth and become established there. Luke (the author of Acts) does not say that Aquila and Priscilla are Christians when Paul meets them, but they seem to function that way in this chapter. Perhaps they became Christians while in Rome. That would have been entirely possible if those from Rome who were present on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10) had spread the gospel message in that city on their return. In any case, this couple had to leave town when Jews were expelled. 3. and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Paul joins this couple in a way we have not seen of him to this point in Acts: working at a trade for a living. (First Thessalonians 2:9 and 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10, portions of two letters Paul will write while in Corinth, indicate that he had worked to support himself previously while in Thessalonica.) All three are tentmakers, a new piece of personal information about Paul. He has been trained to be a rabbi by the famous Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), and all rabbis of this period have a professional skill—they are carpenters, bakers, etc. A tentmaker of this era does not work with the canvas or lightweight nylon fabrics of modern camping gear, but with heavy material such as leather or woven goat hair. The tents being sold in Corinth are durable products used in semipermanent situations. Construction of such tents requires arduous handwork, using palm guards and hefty needles as pieces are stitched together with leather straps. It is a skilled profession with a ready market, thus allowing Paul to earn a living. The importance of Paul’s willingness to support himself in this manner will be seen when he writes to the church in Corinth several years hence (see 1 Corinthians 4:12; 9:1-18; compare Acts 20:34). The accommodations that Paul shares with Aquila and Priscilla may serve as personal lodging, tent factory, and sales shop concurrently. Skilled craftsmen such as Paul are in demand in a commercial center like Corinth, and he probably is able to make these arrangements quickly.

What Do You Think? Is Paul’s self-supporting approach a precedent for mission funding today? Why, or why not?

Talking Points for Your Discussion Contexts where it is advantageous today Contexts where it is disadvantageous today 1 Corinthians 9:4-14

POLICY WRITING FOR GOD Though raised by a Christian mother, my stepdad has been an agnostic for most of his life. He has a strong work ethic and is very good to our

file:///C:/ProgramData/WORDsearch/QuickVerse%2010/Cache/%7BB83010F9-CA69-42...

7/31/2015

Fall

Page 4 of 8

family, but the topic of faith used to be poorly tolerated. Then one day came bad news: after more than 20 years of marriage, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. My sister, herself a cancer survivor, told my stepdad that it was her faith in Christ that got her through the long rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. She minced no words in insisting that he attend church with our mother as part of his support for her. He agreed (or complied at least). There were many churches from which to choose, but the decision was not difficult since he already had a personal relationship with one of the ministers. The reason that a professed agnostic had a minister as a friend? That minister was also his insurance agent and an active member of a local service organization. My stepfather already had grown to respect the man’s integrity and lifestyle. Although my mother’s cancer has been in remission for years, my stepfather still attends church regularly, is open to family prayers, and is more open-minded in discussions about God than ever before. I, for one, am very grateful to those who serve as modern “tentmakers” as they let their love for God and people permeate all they do!—V. E.

B. Presenting Christ (v. 4) 4. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Although Sabbath-keeping is not an issue under the new covenant (Colossians 2:16), Paul likely does not work at his trade on this day of the week. Taking it as time-off serves two purposes: (1) it prevents a distraction of being seen as violating the Law of Moses, and (2) it allows the apostle to speak of Jesus in the synagogue on every Sabbath. Here, as in the synagogues of other Greek cities visited, Paul reasons with both Jews and the non-Jewish Greeks (Gentiles) who have some relationship with the synagogue. The word translated reasoned is the source of our word dialogue, indicating Paul’s method is give-and-take discussion.

What Do You Think? How would you begin to share your faith with a new neighbor who moved to your street?

Talking Points for Your Discussion Timing considerations Common ground considerations Cautions to consider Other

II. Renewed Connection (ACTS 18:5-11)

A. Turning to the Gentiles (vv. 5, 6) 5. When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. After Paul has been in Corinth for several weeks (or months), Silas and Timothy rejoin him (see lessons 11 and 12; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5). This reunion seems to energize the apostle, and he begins to press his claims about Jesus. Paul’s earlier method of dialogue seems to progress to testifying, meaning he is now preaching about Jesus openly and powerfully. This is primarily to the Jews, who need to be convinced that their own Scriptures are fulfilled by the life story of Jesus.

HE SENDS HELP Charles G. Finney (1792-1825) has been called the father of modern revivalism. He led meetings that produced revivals in the northeastern U.S. primarily from 1825 to 1835 as part of what is called the Second Great Awakening in America. Finney did not work alone. He had men who traveled to towns days ahead of scheduled meetings to conduct intercessory prayer. Two such men were Daniel Nash and Abel Clary. Often Nash would even miss the meetings themselves because he was so focused on praying for them. Finney said, “I did the preaching altogether, and brother Nash gave himself up almost continually to prayer”; regarding Clary, “He never, that I could learn, appeared in public, but gave himself wholly to prayer.” Finney attributed much of the response to his preaching to his faithful intercessors. Although called by Christ personally to preach the gospel, even the great apostle Paul did his work with the encouragement and support of other godly people by his side. Christian collaboration bears great fruit yet today—ours is not a “lone ranger” calling! Give thanks for those whom God has given to journey alongside you!—V. E. 6. But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Paul’s new tactic is not well received. He stirs up opposition, and this leads to a parting of ways. Unable to refute his arguments, opponents attack him on a personal level in some way, committing blasphemy in the process (compare Acts 13:45). In response to the personal attacks, the feisty Paul dramatically shakes his clothes as if he is ridding himself of even the dust of this hostile

file:///C:/ProgramData/WORDsearch/QuickVerse%2010/Cache/%7BB83010F9-CA69-42...

7/31/2015

Fall

Page 5 of 8

synagogue (compare Luke 9:5; Acts 13:51). The dire warning Your blood be on your own heads! reminds us of God’s call to the prophet Ezekiel to be a “watchman.” If the watchman doesn’t sound a warning when he should, then he is accountable for resulting bloodshed; but if the watchman does fulfill his duty to warn, then any resulting bloodshed is on the heads of those who do not heed the warning (Ezekiel 33:1-9). Paul’s meaning is clear: the Jews of Corinth who reject his message reject Jesus, and they will be held responsible for this decision (compare Acts 17:31). So Paul has fulfilled his duty. There is nothing more he can do for these obstinate Jews, so he makes a pronouncement he has made before (Acts 13:46) and will make again (28:28): I will go to the Gentiles. In the larger picture of Acts, this is fulfilling the commission he received from Jesus himself (see 22:21; 26:17).

What Do You Think? Under what circumstances is Paul’s giving up on certain people a model for us today, if ever?

Talking Points for Your Discussion Considering circumstances of overt hostility Considering best use of time Considering cases of apostasy Other

B. Baptizing Jews and Gentiles (vv. 7, 8) 7. Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. The events that follow are both ironic and surprising. Ironically, Paul does not go far from the synagogue when he leaves; he sets up his ministry headquarters right next door! The fact that Titius Justus, the resident of the house, worships God indicates that he is a Gentile who has a relationship with the Jews in the adjacent synagogue (compare Acts 13:16; 16:14). 8. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. The surprising part is the move made by Crispus, the synagogue leader. Not everyone in the synagogue rejects Paul’s claims. Crispus and his entire household commit themselves fully to Paul and his message. This is a bold decision, because Acts 18:17 implies that Crispus loses his synagogue position to another as a result. But he is willing to forsake that position to follow Christ (Luke 14:33). As elsewhere in Acts, belief in Jesus is followed by baptism (Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 36; 10:48; 16:14, 15, 30-33).

C. Receiving a Vision (vv. 9-11) 9, 10. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Rejection is undoubtedly distressing for Paul. He longs for his beloved fellow Jews to believe his saving message about Jesus as the Messiah (see Romans 9:3). Fellow Jews had posed a threat recently in Thessalonica and Berea, resulting in a hasty exit in each place. Will the same happen here in Corinth? At just the right time, the Lord speaks to Paul in a vision. This is the risen Christ, the one who met Paul (as Saul) on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:5). The Lord’s message has two parts. First, Paul is encouraged to keep speaking. The rejection by certain Jews of Corinth is only that, not a sign of God’s displeasure or the need for a change of message. Paul is doing the right thing and must continue. No harm will come to him, as proven later by the unsuccessful attack of Acts 18:12-16 (not in today’s text). Second, Paul is granted insight into the real nature of the situation in Corinth. He is dealing with a small drama, the synagogue and its Gentile friends. This may involve a few hundred people. But the Lord reveals that he has many people in this city. Who are they? We are not told (and, apparently, neither is Paul). But the point is that we cannot assume that any place is so unredeemedly pagan that God has no witness there. God has been in Corinth before Paul, making hearts receptive. 11. So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. The vision achieves its intended effect of giving Paul the courage to remain in Corinth, so he stays for eighteen months. These many months allow him to develop deep and lasting relationships among the Corinthians as he teaches them the word of God. We can see the nature of these relationships in the two letters Paul writes to this church while he was on the third missionary journey (1 and 2 Corinthians).

III. New Mission Field (ACTS 18:18-21A)

A. Sailing for Syria (v. 18) 18. Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae

file:///C:/ProgramData/WORDsearch/QuickVerse%2010/Cache/%7BB83010F9-CA69-42...

7/31/2015

Fall

Page 6 of 8

because of a vow he had taken. Paul’s time in Corinth is done when he decides to return to Syria. This means he is headed back to Antioch of Syria, his sending church. He will also spend time in Jerusalem on the way to Antioch (Acts 18:22). He has taken a vow of some kind, and this is accompanied by shaving his head. This is not explained, but Paul may have taken a Nazirite vow at some time in the past (Numbers 6:5, 18); this may be related to his discouraging time in Corinth earlier, a humbling of himself to be used as a vessel for God’s service (see 2 Timothy 2:21). The shaving of the hair is the end of part of the vow, a preparation for visiting the temple in Jerusalem (compare Acts 21:24). Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila leave from Cenchreae, the eastern port of Corinth that services its Aegean Sea trade.

What Do You Think? What things are important enough for you to take a vow for, if any? Why?

Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding what you intend to defend Regarding what you intend to quit Regarding what you intend to accomplish Considering Numbers 30:2 Other

B. Reasoning in Ephesus (vv. 19-21a) 19. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. The sea voyage from Cenchreae to Ephesus is one of about 250 miles. On arrival, Paul may have to wait a few days for another ship to take him all the way to Caesarea Maritima, on the coast of Palestine. Never one to waste an opportunity, Paul makes contact with the Jews of Ephesus to present the gospel to them. The phrase Paul left Priscilla and Aquila speaks to Paul’s parting company from them; verses 20, 21a (next) indicate why he needs to move on without them. 20, 21a. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” The interests of Paul and the Ephesian Jews coincide: they desire that he spend more time with them, and Paul wants to do so. But Paul is on a tight schedule, so he must budget his time carefully (compare Acts 20:16). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit previously had denied Paul a ministry in Asia, where Ephesus is located (16:6), so the apostle is careful to make a promise to return only if it is God’s will. In the meantime, the Ephesians can learn from Aquila, Priscilla, and (later) Apollos (18:18, 19, 24-26).

What Do You Think? Why is learning to say no an important part of the Christian’s life? How have you grown spiritually in this regard?

Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding issues of rest Regarding issues of keeping promises Regarding issues of prior commitments Other

Conclusion A. Adaptability for Ministry A great many words can be used to describe the apostle Paul. One of the best is surely adaptable. In his own words, “To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. . . . To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22). How adaptable will you choose to be for the sake of the gospel?

B. Prayer Lord, strengthen us when we are discouraged and challenge us to be adaptable for your work. Bless our ministries for you, whether big or small. We pray this in the name of Jesus; amen.

C. Thought to Remember Be a Paul to someone today!

file:///C:/ProgramData/WORDsearch/QuickVerse%2010/Cache/%7BB83010F9-CA69-42...

7/31/2015

Fall

Page 7 of 8

Visual for Lesson 13. For deeper discussion, ask simply, “Why baptism?” as you address the implications of verse 8.

INVOLVEMENT LEARNING Into the Lesson Pose this question: “What’s it like to move to a place where you don’t know anyone and the surroundings are unfamiliar?” Encourage several responses, but don’t let this drag out. Make a transition by saying, “Today we will explore this question in a segment of the apostle Paul’s life.” Option. As a review of the five lessons of this unit, place in chairs copies of the “Who Am I?” crossword puzzle from the reproducible page, which you can download. Learners can begin working on this as they arrive.

Into the Word Have volunteers take turns reading aloud the last five verses of last week’s text (that is, Acts 17:22-25, 28) followed by all verses of this week’s text. After the reading, say, “Close your Bibles, and let’s see how much you remember.” Distribute the following sentences in very large lettering on strips of poster board, one each: A-Paul quoted Gentile writers to introduce an audience in this city to the one true God. B-Paul supported himself here by working at his trade of tentmaking. C-Paul arrived here by sea voyage. D-Paul found in this city a couple with whom he could live and work. E-A named synagogue official of this city believed Paul’s message. F-Paul made reference in this city to a pagan altar inscribed TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. G-Paul stayed here a year and a half. H-Paul received encouragement from the Lord in a vision while here. I-Paul got a haircut in this city. J-Although Jews in this city wanted Paul to stay longer, he declined. K-Paul delivered a message at the Areopagus (Mars’ hill) in this city. L-Paul had an acrimonious parting of the ways with Jews of this city. Draw on the board four columns having the following headings, one each: Athens / Corinth / Cenchreae / Ephesus. Ask the learner with sentence strip A to read it aloud, then come forward and affix it under the proper heading (provide tape). Invite agreements and disagreements;

file:///C:/ProgramData/WORDsearch/QuickVerse%2010/Cache/%7BB83010F9-CA69-42...

7/31/2015

Fall

Page 8 of 8

discuss as appropriate. Repeat the procedure with the remaining strips. (Expected responses: A, F, K for Athens; B, D, E, G, H, L for Corinth; I for Cenchreae; and C, J for Ephesus.) After all the strips have been affixed in correct columns on the board, discuss the differences in Paul’s methodology in Athens and Corinth, given the differing natures of his audiences. Also use strips as starting points to offer insights from the commentary in this verse-order sequence: D-verses 1, 2; B-verse 3; L-verses 4-7; E-verse 8; H-verses 9, 10; G-verse 11; I-verse 18; C-verses 18, 19; J-verses 20, 21a.

Into Life Say, “In today’s text, we see Paul working at a secular trade to support himself while he ministered in Corinth. This has been called the ‘tentmaking model,’ since that’s what Paul was doing. Let’s find out if that’s always the best way for mission work to be financed.” Ask two learners to come forward to engage each other in a mock pro-and-con debate on this proposal: All missionary endeavors should follow Paul’s “tentmaker” model. You should recruit your debaters several days in advance so they have time to prepare. It will be important for your debaters to consider 1 Corinthians 9:3-18; 2 Corinthians 11:7-9; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; and 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10 in their argumentation. Allow each two minutes to state the position, then one minute each for rebuttal. Discuss results. Option. Display the name of a missionary (or other person in full-time Christian service) your church supports; then give each learner one or more copies of the “Encouragement!” activity from the reproducible page. Allow two minutes for completion before collecting notes for delivery to the intended recipients.

file:///C:/ProgramData/WORDsearch/QuickVerse%2010/Cache/%7BB83010F9-CA69-42...

7/31/2015