My People, Acts 18:1-17

This post concerns the Corinthian church, the people God called ‘my people.’

My People discusses Paul’s work to form a church in Corinth.

Corinth, known as a sinful city, would seem a poor prospect for a church. But Paul left Athens and started preaching in Corinth. There, he aligned himself with two tentmakers, Aquila and Priscilla, forced by the Emperor to leave Rome, and worked with them at tentmaking. As usual, Paul preached in the synagogue to Jews on Saturday.

Finally, Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia. About that time, the Jews opposed and reviled him so much that he left the synagogue and moved his preaching to the house of Justus, next door.

This failure with the Jews must have been discouraging to Paul because God sent a vision, Acts 18:9-10. ““Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

God prophesied that He had many people in Corinth.

This prophecy and encouragement helped Paul to work for a year and a half and establish a congregation in Corinth, Acts 18:8. “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.”

Thus, many were converted.

However, the Jews united and thought a new proconsul would help them silence Paul, Acts 18:12-13. “But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal, saying, “This man… persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.”

But Gallio would not hear them and judge a religious matter.

Then, they seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of Gallio. But Gallio paid no attention

Thus, as promised by God, Paul did not get hurt.

So, what did we learn?

1.Paul supported himself by tentmaking.

2.Paul established a mainly Gentile church in Corinth.

3.As promised, God protected Paul.

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