Real Hope: Acts (A Study of Acts 18 -23)Sample

All The Way

READ ACTS 18:1–5

The 18th chapter of the book of Acts isn’t on the Bible’s trending list. Don’t think you’re rushing to it when you need comfort or clarity. If Acts were a TV series, chapter 18 seems to be an episode that takes us from one point to the next without standing strongly on its own. I was tempted to fast forward until I noticed its defiant backbone of declaring Jesus as Messiah (18:28) despite opposition from those who should recognize Him.

Hot on the heels of the early Christian leader Paul unveiling the "Unknown God" in Athens (17:22–34), Acts 18 can register like lesser examples of that same scene. However, while Paul is establishing himself as the first missionary to "the Gentiles" (basically, anyone not ethnically Jewish), he’s preaching plenty to his own people. Testifying and reasoning in synagogues about Jesus (18:4,19), Paul and his circle are met with rejection, accusations, and worse.

Notable for introducing the influential Corinthian and Ephesian churches, and the ongoing ministry principle of "tentmaking," chapter 18 also boasts the resurrected Jesus again steering Paul’s path. Beset by hostility from people who should have ears to hear, the first followers of Jesus remain resolute in demonstrating He is who He declared. Bold.

Written by BEN MCEACHEN