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In Acts 19:13-17, we read of a very serious situation where real spiritual warfare is encountered. News of this incident got around and some folks became very afraid, and no wonder. But, even in all this, the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ was magnified and glorified.

Verse 18. This led to many who believed, coming to confess their sins, and admitting their sinful ways. Here we see young disciples - fairly new believers - who had been holding onto private or personal sins in their own individual lives. Secret sins.

As a consequence of what had been happening, these believers…  ( Click for more )

Acts 19:9. Paul leaves the synagogue in Ephesus, taking those disciples who wanted to listen and learn, and in a lecture hall he taught them daily - God's Word and God's Ways.

We see here things repeating themselves - what happened on the first and second missionary journeys is being repeated. The opposition comes from within a circle of those who have been regarded as religious, but they were not interested in spiritual matters.

From 11am to 4pm every day, Paul would teach those who were keen to listen and learn. When those who normally used the lecture hall…  ( Click for more )

We have been reading in Acts 19 of how Paul ministered to these twelve men in Ephesus - making sure that they had everything God wanted them to have. Paul is concerned that disciples of Jesus Christ have all they need to do the work God wants them to do. Make sure you have all God wants you to have.

But having all God wants you to have does not make you mature. We still have to learn to use all we have received. That applies to spiritual gifts - as well as to physical gifts and talents and abilities. Some of us take years to learn simple lessons and elementary theology, whereas…  ( Click for more )

When we move into Acts 19, we read of Paul returning to Ephesus. He meets some disciples and joins them, but he is not with them long, when he notices something missing. There is a dimension absent.

Paul had previously visited Ephesus briefly. Apollos had taught the Word of God there and had left behind a group of people who had probably only gone as far as he had gone. Now there is a vital lesson - we duplicate ourselves!

How far had these disciples travelled? As far as the disciples of Jesus did before Pentecost. When Paul sees where they are he asks, "Did you receive…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 18:24, we meet a man called Apollos, and what a man he is. He is a Jew who had lived in Egypt. He was eloquent and could preach. He knew his Old Testament and could put it across enthusiastically. He knew something about Jesus, but he knows only about the baptism of John the Baptist.

It is as if he is only teaching what he had received from other people. His preaching was sincere, but it was second hand. It would be mainly calling men and women to turn from their sins, as John did. Apollos did not know much more than that, especially when it came to the matter of baptism.…  ( Click for more )

With that second missionary journey completed, Paul rests at his home base of Antioch, but not for long. Soon he is off again, visiting the fellowships of disciples in Asia. Concern and compassion and care for these new believers flow from this man.

He wants only to do one thing - strengthen them - encourage them - and build them up in the faith. There is a pattern here. Paul always went back to his home church, reporting how he got on, and giving something of what he and the team had experienced - greeting the church - thanking them for their prayers - and all that comes over…  ( Click for more )

Amidst all the problems of which we have been reading in Acts 18, Paul continues to minister. God saw to it that His man was able to preach and teach - and then, it was time to leave Corinth. There is a time to stay and a time to move on. Knowing which we should do is not always easy!

Paul sailed to Syria, with Aquila and Priscilla, and in Cenchrea, shaved his head, because of a vow he had taken.

In verse 19 we read of him arriving in Ephesus, and off he goes to the synagogue and reasons with the Jews. After all he has experienced at the hands of unbelieving Jews, he…  ( Click for more )

We are in Acts 18, and Paul is in the seaport of Corinth. The situation has become potentially explosive. When Paul preached Jesus Christ in the Jewish synagogue, there arose a strong reaction and violent opposition. Some, who came to believe in Jesus Christ, leave the synagogue, and they begin to fellowship right next door.

Here we have religion in the flesh - and a group of Holy Spirit filled believers.

We saw how Paul has wondered about his future - what was he to do? He considers his position - and Jesus visited him - speaks to him - encourages him - guides him and…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 18:9, we read of how serious the situation was in Paul's life. He is being so sorely and severely tested that he can almost take no more, and the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ intervenes. Now this does NOT happen often, but only when absolutely essential.

"The Will of God will never place you, where the Grace of God cannot keep you."

You would have thought Paul would have known all these things - that he would not have needed such ministry - not so. This is not a promise for every situation - just for Corinth, and we have to hear our own words…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 18:7, when serious trouble broke out yet again, Paul left the synagogue and went into the home of a man who lived next door - Titius Justus - a man who was truly sincere in his worship. Something rather wonderful happened. Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and so did all who lived in his home.

Many Corinthians, when they heard of Jesus Christ and the Cross and the Resurrection, came to believe - and they were baptised immediately. It is as we hear the Word of God that we come to believe. It is as we read and receive…  ( Click for more )

Acts 18 - In this church, at Corinth, which Paul founded, many problems arose, and if it had not been for these problems we would not have had the letters of I and II Corinthians.

There was immorality in the congregation - incest among the members - drunkenness at the Table - divisions in the fellowship modelled on their favourite preachers. Yes, even after 18 months of teaching the Word of God, all this arose.

There was misuse and abuse of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and Paul went on to teach these believers to manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit properly and…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 18, Paul goes to live in the home of Aquila and Priscilla, who had been expelled from Rome. We know that 'Jews who had been stirred up by a man called Crestus' were ordered to leave by Emperor Claudius.

Aquila was of the same craft or trade as Paul - tentmakers. In Tarsus, Paul had learned the trade of sewing together Seleucian goat hair cloth to make tents, and when Paul ran out of money, he worked. He did not just pray! He lived by faith and earned his living.

In 2 Corinthians 11:9, Paul explains how he did not want to be a burden to…  ( Click for more )

As we move into Acts 18, we read of Paul leaving Athens - moving on - and arriving in Corinth. Paul is moving on - he is not giving in - nor giving up - nor 'chickening out'!

We so need these truths - may they come to us fresh. May this be to us a fresh word from God.

Paul continues on his mission in the service of the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ. God has called him, and God is showing him how to do it, and it is very simple, having various ingredients. Preaching, teaching, riots, ensuring those who came to believe in Jesus Christ were properly…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 17:22, Paul accepted the invitation to contribute at the Areopagus in Athens, the philosophical centre, in the University city, where they enjoyed philosophical arguments, debates and discussions. Paul discerns the situation as he rises to speak - "Men of Athens - I see in every way that you are very religious - superstitious.

If we get the first two commandments wrong, we will have difficulties and problems with the other eight. Note carefully what is being taught - 1. Only ONE GOD and - 2. No graven images. If your ideas of God are wrong, you'll get…  ( Click for more )

Acts 17:16. Here is Paul in the great University city of Athens - one of the centres of man's learning and wisdom and knowledge.

All the great brains are here. All the foremost philosophers and thinkers. So what!

In the U.K., we have had all the so-called great brains transforming education over these past years, and now they are searching, for some basic guidance to try and teach children the difference between right and wrong - and failing miserably. Wander away from the Word of God and you will soon be in deep and serious trouble.

Athens was so full…  ( Click for more )

Acts 17:14-34. We read here of the apostle Paul - a man of God exercising a prophetic ministry - with apostolic power and authority - with prophetic insight - with that ability to discern what was of God and what was of the evil one - with gifts of the Holy Spirit operating in his life - and the fruit of the Holy Spirit so visibly obvious - and he has to flee to Athens for his own safety.

This was all the result of a vision. "O God give us a fresh vision". Be careful when you pray that. The consequence of that vision given in Troas was - Paul in prison in Philippi…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 17:10 - Paul and Silas are sent off from Thessalonica to Berea, and again they go into the synagogue and preach Jesus Christ - same place - same method - same message.

We read that the Bereans were more noble, and they readily received the Word of God. Their minds were open to God - to His Word - and to His servants.

These people did something highly interesting and significant - and important. They went home to check up on what was being preached and taught. This they did every day to ensure that what was being said was true.

Many believed -…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 17, Paul and Silas arrive in Thessalonica. For three Sabbaths Paul is reasoning with these Jews from the Scriptures. He is opening up the Word of God and teaching the people that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and be crucified and rise again from the dead.

When Paul is speaking to Jews he quotes from the Scriptures. His desire is to ground his preaching and teaching upon The Word of God. Paul has a great love for The Word of God, and he seeks to impart that to people, everywhere he goes.

Paul preaches that it is this Jesus Who was crucified and…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 17, we read of Silas and Paul arriving in Thessalonica, and they look for the synagogue. They looked for the place of prayer. They looked for that setting where people at least had a belief in God. "As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue."

This man has had bad experiences among the Jews, and with the Jews, but still he realises that this is where he is to begin. Paul does not permit the past to colour his present, and like His Saviour, Jesus Christ, Paul goes back to the synagogue.

Do not allow anything from your past limit your service for Jesus…  ( Click for more )

Acts 16:35f. Daylight came in Philippi, and Paul and Silas were still prisoners, despite everything that had happened to the senior prison officer and his family. The magistrates had decided to release Paul and Silas - "Go. Off you go - out of our road - off our patch - go in peace." But Paul said - "NO. They have beaten us openly - we are untried - illegally imprisoned - and now you want to dismiss us quietly and privately - as if it had never happened. No - No - No - Let the magistrates come and meet us."

Paul is not standing upon his dignity here. There is…  ( Click for more )

Acts 16:30. When that senior prison officer in Philippi called out to Silas and Paul, "What must I do to be saved?" What did Paul say? Keep the Ten Commandments? Be kind. Come to our fellowship in Lydia's home? NO! Paul stated and proclaimed from prison, "Believe in the Lord Jesus - and the people in your home can be saved too." You can almost hear the jailer say - "Tell me more." Imagine taking top security prisoners into your home - what a risk to run - but he so wanted to hear more, and that was worth any risk. "Bring a sponge and warm water. Let me…  ( Click for more )

Acts 16:25f. Paul and Silas have been praising and worshipping the living God - the only God there is - in that prison cell - and God honours their testimony. The jailer falls trembling before Paul and Silas. He brings them out and asks - "What must I do to be saved?" I do not want to perish. What do I have to do to escape what is awaiting me - and receive what you have received?

Verse 31. They replied. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your household." It is significant that this is said to a man - to the head of the house - "Believe,…  ( Click for more )

Acts 16:25. In a way Paul and Silas appear to be in a mess. In that Philippian prison they are hurting and scarred and sore, yet they are singing - "Jesus is Lord - Thou art worthy - Hallelujah, Hallelujah, give thanks to the risen Lord - Exalt the Lord our God - How great thou art!" And God joined in and shook everything!

Suddenly there was a great earthquake. The foundations of the prison were shaken - all the doors flew open - everybody's chains fell off - and nobody ran away.

Here we see the greatness of the power of God. It shakes the whole jail…  ( Click for more )

Acts 16:25-40. These two men of God, Paul and Silas, are in this Philippian prison, as a direct consequence of their ministry in the Name of Jesus Christ, and in the Power of the Holy Spirit. That girl had been delivered from an evil spirit - a python spirit.

None of us in our fellowship in Scotland has experienced being in prison for our faith - yet! How would we face up to that if it became a distinct possibility? How would we react and respond if we were confronted by some kind of threat, because we claimed to belong to Jesus Christ?

We saw how the ministry…  ( Click for more )