Sub: “Ministry Next Door”

Intro:

Though Ephesus is mentioned briefly, this chapter focuses on Corinth. It also deals with cooperative ministry, eloquence in evangelism, and the incomplete way in which God’s truth is sometimes proclaimed.

Christians working together can present an effective and long-lasting ministry in cities as long as they focus on the redeeming power of Jesus Christ and his Word.

I. Paul’s Companions

1 After this, he left Athens and went to Corinth, 2 where he found a Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them, 3 and being of the same occupation, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with preaching the message and solemnly testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook his robe and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

People with similar commitment and occupations can cooperate together to forward the progress of the gospel.

a. Hospitality of a Couple

2 where he found a Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them, 3 and being of the same occupation, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

The verb translated “met” (εὑρών) or “found” means “to come upon something either through purposeful search or accidentally or providence.” "Found." God providentially put in Paul's path some good Christian people. "Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome" (). God providentially involvement of Persecution was why Aquila and Priscilla were in Corinth. Claudius, the Roman emperor at the time, thought the Jews were a liability to his nation instead of an asset. They would prove a great help and blessing to him over the years. They were the couple who opened their home to Paul the apostle when he first entered Corinth. They were also the couple who went into business with Paul as tent-makers.

They later travelled with Paul to Ephesus where they settled (). The chief characteristic of this couple was an open heart and an open house. Wherever we find them, we find that their home is the center for Christian worship and fellowship.

1. They received the young preacher, Apollos, into their home to instruct him in the faith ().

2. They had a church meeting in their home in Ephesus ().

3. They had another church meeting in their home in Rome ().

4. Paul called them "my helpers [fellow-workers] in Christ Jesus (), and he explained what he meant. They risked their lives in order to save him.

b. Help of a Collection

5 When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with preaching the message and solemnly testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook his robe and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

When Silas and Timothy arrived in Corinth from Berea, Paul stepped up his commitment to the ministry. He devoted himself completely to the word of God. This means Paul gave the whole of his time to the word. The word occupied all of his time. The only thing he worked at was preaching the word of God. Paul held himself to the preaching of the word of God. We know from reading and that the reason Paul devoted himself completely to the word was because Silas and Timothy brought an offering to him. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "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" (, NASB). Paul said to the Philippians, "Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. [15] You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone" (, NASB). Philippi, Thessalonica and Berea were all cities of Macedonia. The churches of these cities blessed Paul financially so that he could give himself totally to the preaching of the word of God. He was freed from tent-making so that he could have more time for preaching.

c. Home of a Convert

7 So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

Luke tells us that Justus was a worshiper of God. His name—Titus Justus lets us know that he was a Roman. He was a Gentile God fearer. His house was next door to the synagogue in Corinth. So when Paul departed from the synagogue he didn’t travel far logistically. He went next door and Justus opened up his home to the man of God. Justus, heard Paul preach, liked what he said, and welcomed God’s servant into his home.

The first Corinthian congregation met in the heart and home of Titus Justus.

II. Paul’s Converts

8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed the Lord, along with his whole household. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.

Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household. Crispus was not the first believer in Corinth, but the most prominent.

We marvel at God’s movement in this city. When Paul had to leave the synagogue, God not only provided a home for his ministry but one located directly next to the synagogue. In this prime location many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.

III. Paul’s Comforter

9 Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

The Lord appeared to Paul in a dream:

a. The Lord told Paul to have Peace.....“Don’t be afraid...

b. The Lord told Paul to keep Preaching...but keep on speaking and don’t be silent.

c. The Lord told Paul I’ll be Presence....For I am with you...

d. The Lord told Paul I’ll Protect.... and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you...

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e. The Lord told Paul You’ll be Productive....because I have many people in this city.” 11 And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

The saying indicates divine foreknowledge for the success of the gospel in Corinth. Paul could look forward to its double fulfillment in his safekeeping from persecution and in successful evangelism.

Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts.

Analytical Bible Expositor - Analytical Bible Expositor – Acts.

Zondervan Exegetical Commentary - Zondervan Exegetical Commentary – Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: Acts.

George Brooks Preaching Commentary - George Brooks Preaching Commentary – Expositions from the Book of Acts: Volume 2.

The Jack Andrews Expository Studies - The Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts - Volume 5.

Gangel, Kenneth O. Acts. Vol. 5. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.