Atos 18

Atos 18

Barclay - "Paul was a Rabbi, but according to Jewish practice, every Rabbi must have a trade. He must take no money for preaching and teaching and must make his living by his own work and his own efforts. The Jew glorified work. 'Love work,' they said. 'He who does not teach his son a trade teaches him robbery.' 'Excellent,' they said, 'is the study of the law along with a worldly trade; for the practice of them both makes a man forget iniquity; but all law without work must in the end fail and causes iniquity.' So we find Rabbis following every respectable trade." Related Resource: Why I Choose to Be a Bivocational Pastor Bi-Vocational Ministry | Desiring God What is a Tentmaker? - Worldwide Tentmakers Tentmaking - Wikipedia Barton - TEAMWORK Some couples know how to make the most of life. They complement each other, capitalize on each other’s strengths, and form an effective team. Their united efforts have a profound effect on those around them. Aquila and Priscilla were such a couple. The Bible never mentions them separately. In marriage and ministry, they were together. Working in concert, they made an eternal difference in countless lives. Consider your marriage. Do you and your spouse enjoy an intimacy that overflows into ministry? If not, what prevents you from being a dynamic duo for the Lord? (Life Action Commentary) Merida - In the world of ministry and mission, so-called tent making or bi-vocational ministry is becoming increasingly important. In fact, the SBC International Mission Board is calling for more business people and retirees to enter the mission field in order to send more people to the nations without the burden of fully funding them first. This approach is also a blessing as such Christians go overseas equipped to share both the gospel and valuable trades that can aid families facing financial hardships. And Ruth Simmons comments on how people are creatively using their vocations to get the gospel message into hard-to-enter countries: A tentmaker couple translated the New Testament for five million Muslims while he did university teaching and she tutored English! A science teacher evangelized his students in rural Kenya, and preached every third Sunday in the local church. A symphony violinist in Singapore had Bible studies with fellow musicians. A faculty person and an engineer set up a Christian bookstore in the Arab Gulf region. (“Tentmakers Needed for World Evangelization,” quoted in Fernado, Acts, 498–99) All Christians should consider how they might leverage their vocations for the good of the nations. (See Acts - Page 312) QUESTION - Who were Priscilla and Aquila? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - The story of these two friends of the apostle Paul is told in Acts 18. Aquila, a Jewish Christian, and his wife, Priscilla, first met Paul in Corinth, became good friends of his, and shared in his work. These two remarkable people belong in the pantheon of Christian heroes, and their ministry is both an encouragement and an example for us. When we first meet Aquila and Priscilla, we are told that they had come to Corinth from Italy as victims of Roman persecution, not for their Christian faith but because Aquila was a Jew. The Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome, and no doubt Jews deemed it unsafe to remain in any part of Italy. Aquila and Priscilla found their way to Corinth and settled there, pursuing their trade as tentmakers. When Paul, a tentmaker himself, came to Corinth, he went to see them, no doubt having heard of their faith in Christ. Paul lived and worked with them while founding the Corinthian church. After a year and a half, Paul left for Ephesus and took Aquila and Priscilla with him. The couple stayed in Ephesus when Paul left and established a church in their home (1 Corinthians 16:19). Then an eloquent preacher named Apollos came through Ephesus. Apollos was mighty in the Scriptures, but he only knew the baptism of John. This means Apollos knew Christ had come and fulfilled John’s prophecies, but he didn’t know the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection, the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit, or the mystery of the church containing both Jews and Gentiles. Priscilla and her husband took Apollos aside and explained these things to him (Acts 18:24-26). Both Aquila and Priscilla possessed an in-depth understanding of doctrine learned from Paul, and this husband and wife team was able to pass it on to another Christian and build him up in the faith. These two remarkable people set an example for us of hospitality, seen in opening their home to Paul and using their house as a meeting place for the church. We are also impressed by their passion for Christ and their hunger for knowledge of Him. Another hallmark of the lives of Priscilla and Aquila is their desire to build others in the faith. Paul’s last reference to them is in his last letter. Paul was imprisoned in Rome and writing to Timothy one last time. Timothy was pastoring the church at Ephesus, and Aquila and Priscilla are there with him, still faithfully ministering (2 Timothy 4:19). To the end, Aquila and Priscilla were offering hospitality to other Christians, spreading the gospel they had learned from Paul, and rendering faithful service to the Master. Modern Day "Tent-Makers" Jack Arnold There is nothing wrong about attending seminary and after graduation taking a secular job. Some men are called to study, preach and teach on a full-time paid basis and others are called to work a secular job and study, preach and teach on a part-time basis without pay. Today, evangelicals, having a wrong concept of the ministry, say, when they see a man take a secular job after graduation from seminary, “What a pity. He is wasting all that training. He is a washout!” Not so, if this person is studying the Word, using his spiritual gifts, preaching and teaching and being an elder, he is not wasting his time or talents. He is doing the ministry as God called him to do it. For Paul, making tents was an honorable, respectable and worthy vocation. This raises the whole question of Christian vocation. Is being a carpenter, plumber, teacher, lawyer or doctor an inferior calling to a missionary, preacher or teacher of the Word? Are Christians in secular jobs wasting their time when they should be out winning the world? First, it must be remembered that Jesus of Nazareth was a carpenter for thirty years before He began His active ministry of three years. Was Jesus wasting His time? Second, Paul made tents when he had to in order to support himself so he could preach the gospel. Was Paul wasting his time? Third, the Apostle Paul strongly implies that one's vocation in life is a calling from God. “Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each man remain with God in that condition in which he was called” (1 Cor. 7:21-24). The English word “vocation” is from the Latin which means calling. This does not mean that we are not free to change our vocation as we seek the Lord's will but that our occupation, whatever it is, should be viewed as a calling from God. We should believe that God has called us to be good lawyers, doctors, salesmen, merchants, teachers, government workers, truck drivers, plumbers, carpenters, masons or whatever. If we have a secular job, our calling is just as valid as a man called to be a pastor, evangelist or missionary. Most Christian men and women are not called to be paid full-time in the ministry, but all Christians are to see their jobs as a calling and are to minister to God through these jobs for the glory of God. In one sense, we have done a real injustice by speaking of full-time Christian work over against full-time secular work. Every Christian is serving the Lord full-time in different spheres of service. God expects the gardener and the grocer to perform his labor as a spiritual service unto God just as fully as a man called to be a pastor or missionary. (Sermon) ED: Every church should have a sign over the "Exit" door in the Sanctuary that reads... YOU ARE NOW ENTERING THE MISSION FIELD Acts 18:4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. KJV Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. he was reasoning Acts 13:14-52; 14:1; 17:1-3,11,17; 19:8; Luke 4:16 trying to persuade Jews and Greeks Acts 18:13; 13:43; 19:26; 26:28; 28:23; Genesis 9:27; 2 Chronicles 32:11; Luke 16:31; 2 Cor 5:11 Acts 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SATURDAY DIALOGUE IN THE SYNAGOGUE The English word dialogue means an exchange of ideas or views for the purpose of exploring a subject or deciding an issue. Note the word exchange. It is not a monologue, like I have occasionally been guilty of when sharing the Gospel, barely taking a breath so that I cannot be interrupted! (Confession time!). Dialogue implies a back and forth, a give and take (e.g., giving them a chance to ask a question) as we speak the Word of truth and men bounce back their responses, rebuttals, and sadly sometimes even reject. The point of dialoguing is that it draws the other person into the conversation, gets them engaged, showing them we are interested in their thoughts and in so doing making them that much more likely to hear our side. God grant me the grace to practice what I preach! And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath - As was his practice, if the city had a synagogue, he would go there first to share the Gospel. The big advantage was that these individuals had knowledge of the Old Testament and he could used the OT Scriptures to reason with them. Reasoning is in the imperfect tense indicating repeated activity by Paul. It is interesting that "an inscription has been found in the archaeological digs of Corinth dating from the early first century which reads, "Synagogue of the Hebrews" and very likely was the place Paul reasoned with the Jews and Greeks. Reasoning (1256)(dialegomai from diá = denoting transition or separation + légo = speak) means that Paul engaged in an interchange of speech (English = dialogue) using thoughtful Biblically based arguments trying to persuade the Jews and Greeks. Luke used this verb repeatedly to describe Paul's interactions with the Jews -- Thessalonica (Acts 17:2+), Athens (Acts 17:17+), Corinth (Acts 18:4), Ephesus (Acts 18:19+; Acts 19:8, 9+). Dialegomai is also used of his reasoning in Troas (Acts 20:7, 9+), and finally, before the Roman governor, Felix, in Caesarea Maritima (Acts 24:25+). And trying to persuade Jews and Greeks - Trying to persuade is in the imperfect tense picturing Paul over and over, again and again trying to persuade them that Jesus was the Messiah Who had died for their sins. Paul believed in the doctrine of election, but that did not deter him from sharing the Gospel with whoever (see "whoever" in Ro 10:13+) would listen for he did not know who the elect were. And neither do we, so don't use "election" as an excuse to not share the Gospel (reasoning if they are elect God will save them!). No, we need to take the initiative and personally share it with everyone with whom God's Spirit gives us the opportunity (meditate on Col 4:5-6+ where "conduct" is not a suggestion but a command to make this our lifestyle - present imperative!). The fact that Luke mentions Jews and Greeks indicates that these Greeks were Gentiles who had been attracted to the monotheism of Judaism (in contrast to the incredible plethora of polytheism involved with the pagan religions) and who would attend the Jewish services on the Sabbath (our Saturday). Only those who were circumcised were called full-blown proselytes, but here Luke does not give any further description. Jack Andrews - Paul didn’t go there to share his opinion with the Jews, or give them something to think about, but he went there to give them the gospel so that they could turn to God from their sins. Paul’s intention was for the Jews to be saved by the grace of God, believe the gospel of God, and receive life from God. (Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts) Trying to persuade (3982)(peitho means literally to persuade or induce by words to believe (Acts 19:26, Mt 27:20, Ro 14:14). In English persuade means "to cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action" and can even mean to "twist one's arm" to accept some truth. Clearly the latter aspect of the definition of persuade is not appropriate in sharing the Gospel. One thinks of the statement Paul made in 1 Thes 1:5 explaining to the saints at Thessalonica who had been chosen (ekloge) (see 1 Th 1:4) that "our Gospel did not come to you in word only (PAUL SPOKE THE GOSPEL), but also in power (SUPERNATURAL POWER) and in the Holy Spirit (SUPERNATURAL REGENERATION) and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake." Greeks (1672)(Hellen) refers to a Greek, one who speaks Greek and practices Greek culture (Ro 1:14). Louw-Nida on Ro 1:14 "a person who participates in Greek culture and in so doing would speak the Greek language, but not necessarily a person of Greek ethnic background." And secondly, a person who is a Gentile in view of being a Greek (Gentile, non-Jew) (Acts 11:20.; 20:21; 1 Cor 1:24; Gal 3:28. Of proselytes Jn 12:20. Of ‘God-fearers’ or people in sympathy with Israel's heritage (Acts 17:4) BDAG says Hellen referred to "cultured Romans affected interest in things Greek and would therefore recognize themselves under this term." opposite barbarian; (2) In a broader sense all persons who came under the influence of Greek, as distinguished from Israel’s, culture - Gentile, non-Jew, pagan (Jn 7.35), opposite Ioudaios (Jew). Hellen - 26x in 25v - Greek(9), Greeks(17). Jn. 7:35; Jn. 12:20; Acts 11:20; Acts 14:1; Acts 16:1; Acts 16:3; Acts 17:4; Acts 18:4; Acts 19:10; Acts 19:17; Acts 20:21; Acts 21:28; Rom. 1:14; Rom. 1:16; Rom. 2:9; Rom. 2:10; Rom. 3:9; Rom. 10:12; 1 Co. 1:22; 1 Co. 1:24; 1 Co. 10:32; 1 Co. 12:13; Gal. 2:3; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11 Hellen in Septuagint - Isa. 9:12; Dan. 8:21; Dan. 10:20; Dan. 11:2; Joel 3:6; Zech. 9:13 Acts 18:5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ KJV Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. NET Acts 18:5 Now when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul became wholly absorbed with proclaiming the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. NKJ Acts 18:5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. Silas Acts 17:14,15; 1 Th 3:2 began devoting himself completely Acts 4:20; 17:16; Job 32:18-20; Jer 6:11; 20:9; Ezek 3:14; Micah 3:8; Luke 12:50; 2 Cor 5:14; Php 1:23 solemnly testifying Acts 18:28; 2:36; 9:22; 10:42; 17:3; 20:21; John 15:27; 1 Peter 5:12 was the Christ Daniel 9:25,26; John 1:41; 3:28; 10:24 Acts 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Silas and Timothy from Macedonia > Corinth SILAS AND TIMOTHY ARRIVE WITH GIFTS God had encouraged Paul with a special couple (Aquila and Priscilla) and now amplifies His encouragement by bringing this dynamic duo of Silas and Timothy, who were like the wise men of old who came bearing gifts, a fact to which Paul later testifies writing to the saints at Corinth... "And when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so." (2 Cor 11:9, cf gift from church at Philippi - Php 4:15-16+) But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia - Some think they did not make it to Athens (others think they were there a short time and then sent by Paul to Macedonia). In any event in Corinth Paul was left to confront the intellectual idolaters by himself (of course filled with the Spirit), Luke recording "Now while Paul was waiting for them (Silas and Timothy) at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols." (Acts 17:16 +) D. Edmond Hiebert writes that "With the coming of Silas and Timothy the situation was changed. Timothy brought information about the Thessalonian church and the report caused Paul to write First Thessalonians to his harassed converts. A few months later, when additional information concerning the Thessalonians was received, the Second Epistle was written. A number of scholars hold that the Epistle to the Galatians was also written during the time of this ministry at Corinth; some scholars place Galatians even before the Thessalonian Letters." (BORROW - An Introduction to the New Testament PAGE 106) Tony Merida - After Silas and Timothy arrived, probably with funds, Paul would transition into full-time preaching ministry. But during the wait for such support, Paul remained flexible. It appears that his years of service to the church included seasons in which he was fully funded and times when he needed to resort to tent making to stay fed. Paul learned to be content in Christ no matter the season (Phil 4:11-13+). That’s a lesson every Christian should embrace. Paul was not effective merely because he was a gifted teacher; by (ED: IN "SYNERGY" WITH) God’s grace he also worked extremely hard (1 Cor 15:10+). (SEE Exalting Jesus in Acts) Herschel Ford said, “Nothing in the world helps a pastor so much as to know that the good men of his church are standing with him. Nothing hurts him so much as to know that some of those who are supposed to help him are out criticizing him and stabbing him in the back.” ILLUSTRATION - Jackie Robinson was the first black to play major league baseball. While breaking baseball’s color barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. His own fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered. Then shortstop ‘Pee Wee’ Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career. (Jack Andrews Expository Studies) Paul began devoting himself completely to the word - The Textus Receptus (source of KJV) is not correct for it has "Paul was pressed in the spirit." The NKJV translates it compelled by the Spirit,, which while undoubtedly true (Paul was Spirit filled - Eph 5:18+), it is not what the best Greek manuscripts state. The ESV is too "soft" reading "Paul was occupied with the word." The NET is more accurate rendering it "Paul became wholly absorbed with proclaiming the word." What a beautiful picture of Paul's passion to preach the Word! Paul was wholly absorbed in preaching the Word (the Gospel). The imperfect tense pictures this as his continual activity once Silas and Timothy arrived. Whereas before Paul was proclaiming Jesus mainly on the Sabbath, now he was free and presumably proclaimed Him daily (probably to those who came to the Synagogue during the week). O, to have such a holy devotion wholly devoted to the Holy Word! Yes, Lord do it! Amen!