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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 )

In Acts 16:18, Paul sets a girl free from an evil spirit which was controlling her. She was released from that evil spirit which controlled and dominated her life. This too can be part of mission, but how often is that taught today?

She was a slave in more ways than one. Now she is released but release for her meant financial loss to her owners. When the hope of personal profit is gone, trouble usually comes.

Some people want to make money and they do not mind how they do it. They exploit human weakness, and when the Holy Spirit moves, such men are going to lose…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 16:17, this girl who was deeply involved in the occult and who was owned by pimps, followed Paul, shouting and screaming - "These men are servants of the most high God who are telling you the way to be saved." Every word is true. She is being fed the truth about Paul, but from a wrong source. It has been said that today she would have been welcomed as a founder member of the fellowship in Philippi.

This went on for a number of days. Paul ignores it and puts up with it for a few days.

Paul is not going to be diverted suddenly. He wants to preach the…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 16:16, we have read of Paul and Silas making their way to the place of prayer. They were concentrating their ministry where the interest was keenest. God began to work with those who were gathering for prayer.

All of a sudden, a certain young girl who had an evil spirit met them and followed them. It is amazing what can happen to you on the way to the Prayer Meeting - to prevent, hinder, delay, distract, or stop altogether.

Sometimes the hardest part of the Prayer Meeting or the Worship service is getting there - getting from your place to the place of Prayer…  ( Click for more )

Acts 16:16 - God has led Paul and Silas over to Europe. They are based in Philippi, and this business woman, Lydia, has come to faith in Jesus Christ and so has her household. After they have been baptised, Paul and Silas are invited to her home. They are given hospitality of the highest quality.

This was God's best for Paul. We read of how he was prevented from going north to Bithynia in modern day Turkey, when he has this vision to come over to Macedonia and preach the Gospel in Europe.

God does not let Paul have his own way, and neither will He permit…  ( Click for more )