Bible Studies
Acts 18:3 is the verse where Paul is identified as being a tentmaker by profession. This was, no doubt in biblical times, a very profitable occupation. Verses 3-5 put a profession alongside a ministry. The Apostle Paul had a profession. He also had a ministry. You might say that a profession is the way one makes a livihg; a ministry is the way one builds lives. As Christians we should be doing both. The emphasis in this chapter is on ministry. Verse 5 says that "Paul began devoting himself completely to the word."
Verses 6-11 form a new section. In these verses the Jews rejected Paul's teachings. Paul was not nice in his response. Verse 6 records, "Your blood be upon your own heads! I am clean. From now on I shall go to the Gentiles." From there he goes to the house of one called Titius Justus, worshipper of God. The next verse says that Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord along with his household. Since he was the spiritual leader of the local congregation one would like to believe that he was already a Christian. But it is quite possible for people to be leaders in the church and not be a believer. If this were the case, here was a family of new converts. Paul had the comfort of staying in the home of people who were like-minded and being around those who shared his beliefs in the risen Lord. He also had a vision to not be afraid to continue speaking and not be silent. He would not have to fear being harmed because there were many Christian believers in the city. He stayed there for a year and a half, teaching the scriptures.
Paul, however, was brought before government officials with the accusation that he was persuading people to worship God contrary to their law. He was about to speak when Gallio, proconsul of Achaia said he did not want to hear about things of the law that the people could decide for themselves. He drove them away.
Paul then left for Syria with two other devout Christians, Priscilla and Aquila. They eventually ended up in the city of Ephesus. Verses 24-25 relate that Apollos, a very eloguent and educated man in the scriptures came to them. They say that "he was mighty in the Scriptures...instructed in the way of the Lord...fervent in spirit...and was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus..." He evidently did not have some things correct. Priscilla and Aquila instructed him even more accurately. Apollos was welcomed into the church and was a great help to those who, verses 27 says, "believed through grace." Those are three very important words: "believed through grace." Salvation is by grace alone to all those who humble themselves to accept it.
The chapter closes with Apollos "powerfully" refuting "the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ."
Application Questions
1. How accurately do you interpret scripture?
2. Do you know the principles by which scripture can be accurately interpreted?
3. How important is it to you, your family, and your church, that scripture is properly taught?
4. Do you know any cases where people's lives have been severely damaged because of an incorrect teaching of scripture?
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