Paul, Silas and Timothy were reunited in Corinth where they continued their fulfillment of the great commission to preach the gospel of the living Christ. Paul was dwelling with a man named Justus, also known as Titus, whose home was right next to the synagogue.
“18 So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.” (Acts 18:18)
After the beating of Sosthenes, the leader of the Corinthian synagogue, Paul answered the call of the Holy Spirit and stayed in the Greek city a while, furthering God’s kingdom and ministering to the lost.
Some time later, accompanied by Aquila and his wife Priscilla, the missionaries sailed to Antioch where the mother Gentile church was planted around A.D. 46-47. There, they would continue serving the Lord by advancing the gospel and sharing the truth about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the promised Messiah.
On his way to Antioch, Paul stopped at Cenchrea, the port for Corinth on the eastern side of the isthmus connecting the Corinthian and Saronic gulfs. There, the missionary took a Nazarite vow which he would later fulfill in Jerusalem in an offering.
“19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, 21 but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.” (Acts 18:19-21)
When they arrived at Ephesus, the commercial metropolis of Asia Minor, Paul left Aquila and Priscilla to further the ministry on their own as he preached at the synagogue for a short while, before continuing his journey to Jerusalem.
“22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23 After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.” (Acts 18:22-23)
Paul sailed to Caesarea, the seaport city located on the Mediterranean coast about 70 miles north of Jerusalem where he greeted the church, fulfilled his Nazarite vow and rejoiced at Pentecost, the feast commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus, the Christ.
After Pentecost, Paul returned to Antioch to conclude his second missionary journey. After a few months, he started his third missionary journey, first visiting Galatia, then Phrygia where he encouraged the brethren and continued ministering to Jews and Gentiles alike, sharing the gospel of the Christ and leading the lost to Jesus. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Luke,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
