20 November

Bible In 365 Days

Acts 18-20

Acts 18

Leaving Athens, the center of the intellectual life of Greece, Paul came to Corinth, its commercial center. There he joined Aquila, and gave himself to the work of tent-making, while reasoning on the Sabbath in the synagogue with both Jews and Greeks. When opposition arose, he turned from the synagogue, and found his base of operations in the house of Titus Justus. Unquestionably the opposition was keen, but he was encouraged as the Lord spoke to him in a vision. The result was that he remained in Corinth for a year and six months.

The opposing Jews at last arraigned Paul before Gallio. Gallio treated these Jews with supreme contempt, and by this fact the overruling God delivered His servant.

At last he left the city and passed to Ephesus, from Ephesus to Caesarea, from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where he tarried long enough to salute the Church, and so back to Antioch, completing the second missionary journey.

Then we see him starting on the Third journey, going first over old ground. It was in this period that we have the account of a vow. It is perhaps a little difficult to explain, and expositors have taken different views.

The account of Apollos follows. By birth and training he was especially fitted for work in that area. He was evidently a remarkable man, "eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in spirit." Nevertheless, it is equally evident that he was limited in his knowledge of Jesus, which knowledge resulted from the ministry of John. It was on account of this he was more carefully instructed by Aquila and Priscilla.

Acts 19

The result of the work of Apollos was manifest when Paul reached Ephesus. There he found a company of sincere disciples to Jesus as He had been revealed by John. To them Paul declared the truth in its fulness, and they entered into the experience of the new birth by receiving the Holy Spirit.

For two years Paul remained in Ephesus as a center, influencing all the district. A survey of the whole account shows how all kinds of facts and forces were pressed into the service of the Word. Opposition, however, was fierce, and resulted in an uproar on account of the falling off in the sale of the shrines for the Ephesian goddess, Diana. This uproar shows how men, alienated from God, make all life center around the material. So long as the preaching of "the Way" disturbed the thought of men, or even changed some of their habits, it mattered little; but when these changed habits touched the wealth of the craftsmen, opposition resulted. Vested interests are always saying to Christianity what the demons of old said to Christ, "Let us alone." Christianity is always saying in reply what Christ said to the demon, 'Hold thy peace, and come out of him."

Acts 20

Restful and mastered by Christ, Paul was yet restless and resistless in devotion to the enterprise of his Lord. These facts are evident throughout this chapter. We follow him in rapid movements, always calm and confident. After tarrying in Greece for three months, he found that a plot was laid against his life and quickly passed overland. Detained in Troas, he ministered to the saints and strengthened their hearts.

It was while here that Eutychus, overcome with sleep, fell to death, from which Paul raised him.

In taking farewell of the elders of Ephesus the apostle delivered an address characterized by great clarity and beauty. Reviewing his own work, he made no apology. His care for the flock was tenderly expressed. As for himself he was going to Jerusalem bound in spirit, and was certain that suffering awaited him. Yet there was no shrinking. Life itself was not dear to him, his only passion being the fulfilment of his ministry for Christ.