Teaching God’s Word

November 29, 2015 Background Scripture: Acts 18 Lesson Passage: Acts 18:1 – 11, 18 – 21a It was under much duress that Paul carried the gospel message throughout the regions of Asia Minor. Oftentimes he was fleeing the persecution of the very Jews he was attempting to persuade by using the Old Testament scriptures in the synagogues. After he worked for a while in Athens among the Jews and the Greek philosophers, Paul traveled a short distance from Athens to Corinth. He remained in Corinth for a year and a half working in his craft as a tentmaker and reasoning in the synagogues with the Jews. Paul teamed with two Jews who had been expelled from Rome by Claudius who had ordered all Jews out of Rome. They were Aquila and his wife Priscilla. The three were brought together because they all shared in the tent making profession. Although Paul taught weekly in the synagogue, it seems as though Paul’s teaching was not directly relating to the gospel message. This can be noted when one considers the change in Paul’s approach after Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia. After their arrival, then Paul began to use the scriptures to reason with the Jews concerning Jesus. The Jews’ resistance to Paul’s new teaching focus about Jesus led Paul to denounce them and declare that he would focus his ministry on the Gentiles. Paul’s new focus got immediate results as many Corinthians believed on Jesus—including some of the synagogue leaders. Paul was directly encouraged by the Lord one night and assured by the Lord that He had many people in Corinth who would hear and accept the gospel message. Perhaps this is what encouraged Paul to remain there for a year and a half. The Jews tried to stop Paul’s work by inciting the masses and hauling Paul before the local authorities. This time, their tactics failed because the local authority refused to rule on the question concerning a person’s religious beliefs. This welcomed relief coupled with the assurance of the Lord, allowed Paul to remain there for a while and minister the word of God concerning the gospel. After a year and a half, Paul took Aquila and Priscilla and sailed to Ephesus. Paul taught in the synagogue in Ephesus as he had done in previous cities. Afterwards, he left his companions and traveled to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish feasts. I believe there is something else to be learned from today’s lesson about teaching God’s word. Paul’s teaching appears to have had a different effect on the Jews in the synagogue after the arrival of Timothy and Silas from Macedonia. Prior to their arrival, Paul was in the synagogue weekly reasoning with the Jews. But after the arrival of Timothy and Silas, Paul testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. They were offended by this and resisted such teaching to the point that Paul denounced them and declared that his ministry would then move in the direction of the Gentiles. This is a reminder about the power of Calvary’s cross. For many Jews, the cross is an offence and a stumbling block but to all who believe the gospel, it is the power of God to save us. For those who teach, we must never sell the word of God short to avoid offending someone if offending them causes them to be confronted with the only salvation God makes available to mankind. Robert C. Hudson November 11, 2015