Day 1208: The faithful servant - Acts 18 vs 1 - 11

1-3 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tent makers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

7-8 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshipper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 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. 9-10 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “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.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Acts 18:1-11 English Standard Version

The first three verses teach a valuable lesson when it comes to serving God. What does Luke give as the reason why Paul stayed with Aquila when he first arrived in Corinth?

It was because they were of the same trade. Together they were able to work as tent makers. Paul was willing to do menial work with his hands. In Thessalonica he said that he “worked night and day in order not to be a burden to them while he preached the gospel of God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:9-10) He was able to testify that he had 'not eaten anyone’s food without paying for it'. Would that some evangelists today could say that!

But, trade or no trade, what had become Paul's main occupation? (vs 5)

He was occupied with God's word! He reasoned with people, and testified that Christ was the Saviour God had sent. That didn't mean he met with success wherever he went. Many of the Jews rejected his words and reviled him. So he shook out his garments and said: “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent.” Jesus said: ”If anyone will not welcome you - or listen to your words - leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” (Matthew 10:14) Sadly, for those who rejected God's word, Jesus went on to say: “Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” Paul was innocent of their blood. They had brought judgement upon themselves.

Jesus' words had been spoken in the context of preaching God's words to the towns of Israel. The gospel was to be first preached to the Jews. And Paul had done that wherever he went, and had just done it in Corinth. So what did Jesus say to him in a vision. Vs 9-10?

He was told to remain in Corinth, and was given assurance that the Lord would protect him from those who wished him harm. Jesus promised the disciples He sent out that two sparrows were sold for a penny, but not one of them fell to the ground outside of their Father’s care. In the same way, God watches over His servants who are of much greater value to Him. Luke 12:6-7.

So Paul went to minister from the house of Titius Justus, which happened to be next door to the synagogue. And we read that Crispus, who was the ruler of the synagogue, believed with his household, as did many Corinthians. Many years later Paul said to the Corinthians who'd been saved: “I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:13-17)

A servant faithful enough to work with his own hands to earn his keep, was faithful enough to be entrusted by God with the many souls He had in the city.