[Acts 18]

 

             {52-53 AD. Paul at Corinth in Greece.}

             ^18:1 Now after these things, Paul departed from Athens and came into Corinth. ^18:2 And he found a certain Jew, Aquila by name, Pontus by race, and his wife Priscilla, who have recently come from Italy because Claudius has commanded all the Jews to be separated out-of Rome and he came to them ^18:3 also because he is of the same-craft. He was remaining and working beside them, for^* they were tent makers, in the craft. ^18:4 Now he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and was persuading Jews and Greeks.

 

             ^18:5 Now as both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was being very troubled in the spirit, thoroughly testifying to the Jews: the Christ Jesus. ^18:6 Now while they were resisting us and blaspheming God, he shook-off his garments and said to them, Your^° blood is upon your^° own head. I am clean. I will be traveling to the Gentiles from hereafter. ^18:7 And he went-away from there and went into the house of a certain man, Justus by name, one who worships God, whose house was adjoining to the synagogue.

 

                          {Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}

             ^18:8 Now Crispus, the synagogue-ruler, believed in the Lord together-with his whole house {1Co 1:14}.

             And many of the Corinthians hearing, were believing and were being immersed^*.

 

             ^18:9 Now the Lord said to Paul through a vision in the night, Do not be afraid, but speak out and do not be silent, ^18:10 because I am with you and no one will be laying a hand upon you to mistreat you, because many people are in this city believing in me. ^18:11 And he sat {i.e., stayed} there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

 

             {Paul’s First & Second Letters to the Thessalonians are written.}

             ^18:12 Now Gallio being proconsul of Achaia, the Jews stood up united against Paul and led him in front of the judicial-seat, ^18:13 saying, This one is persuading men to worship God contrary to the law. ^18:14 But Paul, being about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, Therefore, if it was indeed some wrongdoing or evil villainy, O Jews, I would tolerate you^° according-to reason. ^18:15 But if there is a debate concerning this speech and names and law which is according-to you^°, you^° will see to it yourselves; for^* I am not willing to be a judge of these things. ^18:16 And he drove them away from the judicial-seat. ^18:17 Now all the Greeks grabbed Sosthenes, the synagogue-ruler, and were beating him before the judicial-seat. And Gallio was about to judge nothing of these things. ^18:18 But Paul, still remained a considerable number of days and bid farewell to the brethren.

 

             {Sept., 54 AD. Paul leaves Europe toward Antioch. Claudius dies; Nero becomes Emperor at Rome in Oct.}

             Now he was sailing away to Syria, and together-with him was Priscilla and Aquila and he sheared his head in Cenchreae; for^* he had a vow. ^18:19 Now he arrived in Ephesus and he left those there^*. And he himself entered into the synagogue, and he reasoned with the Jews. ^18:20 Now they were requesting him to remain, over more time with them, he did not signal-agreement; ^18:21 but he bid farewell to them and said, It is certainly essential for me to make^* the coming feast in Jerusalem but I will revisit toward you^° again, God willing. He set-sail away from Ephesus.

             ^18:22 And he came down into Caesarea and went-up and greeted the congregation^* and went-down into Antioch.

 

             {Late 54 AD. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey. Josephus, age 16, starts his literary career.}

             ^18:23 And after he spent some time there, he came forth, going through the region of Galatia and afterwards Phrygia, further strengthening all the disciples.

 

             ^18:24 Now a certain Jew, Apollos by name, from Alexandria by birth, an eloquent man, arrived in Ephesus, being mighty in the Scriptures. ^18:25 This one was instructing the people the way of the Lord, and being zealous in his spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning the Lord, but only knowing the immersion^* of John. ^18:26 And this one began to speak boldly in theAquila and Priscilla heard him and took him and expounded more accurately to him the way of God. ^18:27 Now while planning to go into Achaia, the brethren exhorted him and wrote to the disciples to accept him when he came^* {i.e., when Apollos arrives}. He supported many who has believed through the favor of God; ^18:28 for^* he was thoroughly and intensely refuting the Jews in public, showing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.