#18: In Corinth

Acts 18:5-11

When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 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.”

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

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.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Lots of people are familiar with the Epistles or letters to the Christians in Corinth. Less well known is the story of how the church there was first established. Paul, Silas, and Timothy the original mission team are strengthened by the addition of Aquila and Priscilla a Jewish couple from Rome. Together they set out to bring the Good News to the whole town. The proclaiming of the Gospel is always a demanding and striving hard business and so it was here in Corinth. Many reject the message but others including some leading members of the synagogue accept it. Paul clearly had a special soft spot for this young church in Corinth. And he stayed in ministry there for eighteen months.

Time to think about our church here in Calverley.
How and where are we proclaiming the Gospel, who is in our key mission team, and where is our strategy to see people becoming believers?