Acts 18

Jesus is the Savior that God promised to send

1 After these things Paul left Athens and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla; (because Claudius had ordered all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came to them. 3 And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked: for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5.And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

• Mankind had waited 4,000 years for its Savior. The word ‘Christ’ announces that this is the ONE.

6 And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook his clothing, and said to them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from now on I will go to the Gentiles.

• Ezekiel 33:9if you warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

7 And he left there and entered into a certain man's house named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

• Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you are saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The Lord is with us

9 Then the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent: 10 For I am with you and no man will attack you to hurt you: for I have many people in this city. 11 And he continued there a year and six months teaching the word of God among them.

• Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews rushed against Paul with one accord and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 saying, This one persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked criminality, O you Jews, for that reason I would endure you: 15 But if it is a question of words and names and of your law, you see to it; for I will not be a judge of such matters. 16 And he drove them from the judgment seat.

• Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you will hold your peace.

17 But all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and struck him before the judgment seat. And Gallio was not concerned about any of these things. 18 After this Paul stayed there many days and then left the brothers and sailed from there to Syria, Priscilla and Aquila were with him; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay with them longer, he did not consent; 21 But left them saying, I must by all means keep this feast that comes in Jerusalem: but I will return again to you if it is God’s will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

• Colossians 4:12…laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23 And after he had spent some time there, he left and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. 24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

• Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if a man is overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore that one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.

27 And when he wanted to go across into Achaia, the brothers wrote encouraging the disciples to receive him: who, having arrived, helped much those who had believed through grace: 28 For he forcefully proved to the Jews conclusively and publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

• Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the exact image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high

                                                Acts 19

God’s Holy Spirit comes on those who believe

1 And it happened while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said to them, Have you received the Holy Spirit upon believing? And they said to him, We have not heard that there is a Holy Spirit. 3 And he said to them, To what then were you baptized? And they said, To John's baptism. 4 Then Paul said, John truly baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on he who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

• The word ‘repentance’ means to change your mind, to turn and go the other direction in your thinking.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 And it was about twelve men. 8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly over three months, thoroughly discussing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

• Amos 3:8 explains prophesying: "the Lord GOD has spoken, who can but prophesy?”
• They were speaking God’s words. Acts 2:11 tells us what they were saying in tongues: “we hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”

God worked special miracles by the hands Paul

God’s word grew mightily and prevailed

9 But when some were hardened and did not believe but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he left them and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years; so that all those who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body handkerchiefs or aprons were brought to the sick, and the diseases left them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then certain of the wandering Jews, exorcists, took upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those that had evil spirits saying, We exorcize you by Jesus whom Paul preaches. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, who did this.15 And the evil spirit answered and said, I know Jesus and I know Paul; but who are you? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This thing became known to all the Jews and Greeks who lived at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came and confessed and showed their deeds. 19 Many of them also who practiced magic brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of God grew mightily and prevailed.

• Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

21 After these things ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. 23 And at the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of the same occupation and said, Sirs, you know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26 Moreover you see and hear, that not only at Ephesus but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods, that are made with hands: 27 So that not only our craft is in danger to become nothing; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana would be despised and her magnificence would be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath and cried out saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

• People were being kept from the kingdom of God and led to eternal death because these men made their living by making statues of Diana.

• Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

• 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theater. 30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the assembly, the disciples did not allow him. 31 And certain leaders of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he not go into the theater. 32 So some cried one thing and some another: for the assembly was confused; and most of them did not know why they were gathered together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense to the assembly. 34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all cried out with one voice for two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 35 And when the town clerk had appeased the people, he said, You men of Ephesus, what man is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image that fell down from Jupiter? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here, who are not robbers of churches, nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 So if Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a complaint against any man, the court is open and proconsuls are available: let them bring charges against one another. 39 And if you want anything beyond this let it be determined in a lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being accused of a riot for this day's uproar and we will be unable to account for this disorderly gathering. 41 And when he had spoken this, he dismissed the assembly.

• Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

                                                Acts 20

God raised the dead by Paul

1 And after the uproar ceased, Paul called the disciples to him, embraced them, and left to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone through those districts, and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece, 3 and stayed three months. And when there was a plot against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. 4 And these accompanied him into Asia: Sopater of Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians,; Gaius and Timothy of Derbe; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 These went ahead of us and waited for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread and came to them at Troas in five days; where we stayed seven days. 7 And on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them, ready to depart the next day; and continued his speech until midnight. 8 There were many lights in the upper chamber where they were gathered together. 9 And a certain young man named Eutychus sat in a window, having fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was preaching long, he sunk down with sleep and fell from the third floor and was picked up dead. 10 So Paul went down and fell on him and embraced him saying, Do not trouble yourselves; for his life is in him.

• John 11:25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet he will live

11 Therefore, when he came up again and had broken bread and eaten and talked a long while, even until daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man alive, and were greatly comforted. 13 And we, going ahead to the ship sailed to Assos, intending to take in Paul there: for he had arranged this, intending to go by himself on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him in and came to Mitylene. 15 And we sailed from there and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and having remained at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hurried, if it were possible for him to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them, You understand from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which came on me by the plots of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, 21 testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit told Paul his future

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there: 23 Except that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the good news of the grace of God.

• There is no better news than that God loves us and removed all barriers between man and God so that man can be with God forever.

• Psalm 16:11 in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

• Revelation 3:21 To him that overcomes I will grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

The Holy Spirit made overseers

God purchased us with His own blood

His word builds us up and gives us an inheritance among the sanctified

25 And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing, grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among your own selves men will arise speaking twisted things to draw disciples away after themselves. 31 So watch, and remember that for three years I did not stop warning everyone night and day with tears. 32 And now brothers, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all those that are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or clothing. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided my necessities, and to those that were with me. 35 I have showed you all things, how that so laboring, you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36 And when he had spoken this, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept greatly and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all for the words that he spoke saying that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

• Psalm 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All your works will praise you, O LORD; and your saints will bless you. 11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk of your power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

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SUMMARY: Acts 18-20

• Jesus is the Savior that God promised to send
• The Lord is with us
• God’s Holy Spirit comes on those who believe
• God’s word grew mightily and prevailed
• God raised the dead by Paul
• The Holy Spirit told Paul his future
• The Holy Spirit made overseers
• God purchased us with His own blood
• His word builds us up and gives us an inheritance among the sanctified