747. ACT 18:6-11. PAUL AT CORINTH

Act_18:6-11. Paul at Corinth

"Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not, afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."’97Act_18:6-11.

This evening we have to contemplate the history of the introduction of the gospel to the celebrated city of Corinth. You will remember the event of Paul preaching at Athens, and the treatment the gospel met, with there. A few disciples of Christianity, and some of them persons of considerable importance, were left by Paul at Athens, but his success was very limited there. From Athens he came to Corinth. Corinth was a splendid city of Achaia, and the most wealthy of all Greece. It was distinguished for its seminaries of learning, its palaces, theatres, and temples. One of these temples was dedicated to Venus, where a thousand harlots contributed to the licentiousness of the city. About the year 53, the apostle, as the ambassador of mercy and salvation, entered the city, to make known among these lascivious Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

I. Let us notice the course the apostle adopted.

Here he met with two Christian Jews, Aquila and Priscilla, and with them he dwelt, working with them at his trade, for they, as well as Paul, were tentmakers. In his ministerial labors he went unto the Jews, Act_18:4, "and he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks." This seems to have been the invariable custom of the apostles. First they went to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. "He persuaded," and did this constantly. Silas and Timothy came, and this greatly animated the apostle, and he was so excited with vehement zeal for Christ, and to souls, that he "testified," &c., that Jesus was the Christ. This faithful preaching roused the opposition of the Jews. They were exceedingly opposed to the truth. They blasphemed, doubtless, the name and character of Christ and his gospel. Paul now expressed his faithfulness, before he left them, by a sign, by a declaration’97"Your blood be upon your own heads," &c.; by self-justification’97"I am clean." My duty is discharged, the responsibility and guilt is at your own door. But here the apostle had some measure of success, Act_18:8. "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."

II. The encouragement and direction the apostle received.

See Act_18:9. No doubt the mind of Paul was depressed.

(1.) He was depressed, doubtless, by the smallness of his success. He longed for the salvation of souls. He travailed in birth for his prejudiced, unbelieving countrymen, the Jews. Yet the mass were incorrigible.

(2.) He was depressed by the signs of opposition which were manifested. Not that he was faint-hearted, not that he dreaded suffering for Christ’s sake, but he saw the signs of a storm which was likely to throw the city into commotion, and prevent the success of his great mission among the people. To sustain and support the apostle, he was favored with a vision, see Act_18:9. By night, perhaps after a day of toil and anxiety, &c. God addresses his fears’97"Fear not;" "Be not afraid." Now, when God commands, he gives power to perform. He addresses him as to his duty. "But speak, and hold not thy peace." "Weary not, faint not, continue, persevere; be instant in season," &c. Success is not the rule of duty, nor opposition. God’s work must be done, whether men receive or oppose. No compromise, &c. He assures him as to his safety’97"For I am with thee," &c. Christ gave this promise originally’97"And lo I am with you," &c. It is now renewed. We often seem to forget, or the impression is feeble. What can we need more? God’s presence. It includes every thing else. He guarantees his personal safety, Act_18:10. A Christian is immortal until his work is done. Neither fires nor floods can kill, if the Lord preserves alive. He refers to his ultimate success. "I have much people in this city." It was very populous, many souls in it. But many, too, who would not be of the saved. God sees all things. He beheld in this city many proud, abandoned, perishing souls, who would be converted, sanctified, and eternally happy. He saw that by preaching many would hear, believe, and be saved. Here then he spoke to the hopes of the apostle, and doubtless this would act as a powerful impetus to him in his course.

III. The perseverance of the apostle exhibited.

"He continued there a year and six months," &c. The word of God was what he taught. And he persevered for eighteen months, diligently discharging his apostolical duty. It was during this time the Corinthian Church was formed and established. Observe,

IV. The opposition he encountered. Now mark, this was the work of the Jews.

The charge was, that he persuaded the people to "worship God contrary to the law," &c. Their spirit was bitter, &c. "This fellow." The judge to whom they appealed was Gallio. No person has ever suffered more from the ignorant and careless reader than Gallio. His name and conduct have been strangely misrepresented. He was the brother of the celebrated philosopher Seneca. He was distinguished for his mild and amiable temper and disposition. He is referred to by historians as a model of excellency, &c. His conduct to Paul deserves the highest possible praise. The office of Gallio was that of proconsul, a civil office; he had to see the civil laws enforced; he possessed no authority in matters of religion, and therefore we observe the decision was wise and righteous; see Act_18:14, Act_18:15. He refused to interfere in matters of religion and conscience. He refused to leave his own province of duty and power. He therefore rejected the clamorous Jews, drove them from the judgment-seat; "for he cared not," &c.

Application

Learn,

1. The gracious character of the gospel It excludes none. No: not the debased Corinthians. What mercy!

2. The vilest often receive it, while the more moral reject it.

3. The Christian minister must proclaim it to all, and under all circumstances.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS