GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Scripture Reading        : Acts 18:1-18

Theme                            : Press On for God

1. Provision of God. Silas and Timothy were still in Berea when Paul went to Athens (Acts 17:15), later re-joining Paul at Corinth. Before Silas and Timothy joined Paul, he worked as a tentmaker to support himself, preaching only on the Sabbath. When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, they brought along financial support, so that Paul could be devoted “exclusively to preaching”. God provided Paul’s needs through the gift of other believers.

2. Proselytizing for God. When the Jews opposed Paul, he turned to the Gentiles and devoted himself to preach to them for a year and a half. Many Gentiles became believers as the result of Paul’s preaching. It is possible that Paul was afraid and discouraged by the opposition, which was why God spoke to him in a vision to encourage him to continue preaching to the Gentiles.

3. Protection of God. Even though the Jews “made a united attack on Paul”, God used the proconsul to protect Paul. Gallio wisely ruled that this was not a matter against Roman law, and threw the case out. The Jews vented their anger at Sosthenes, who later became a Christian (1 Cor. 1:1), but no harm was made to Paul.

Praying the Scripture

1. We should be willing to part with our physical possessions so that we can gain eternal rewards in heaven. Pray that we will give of our resources generously, so that our pastor can be devoted “exclusively to preaching” in order to build up believers in the church (including ourselves).

2. Even Paul was afraid and discouraged at times. Let us pray that we will trust in God and not be afraid to preach the Gospel to people around us.

3. If we obey His Word, we can be assured that Jesus Christ will be with us till the end of the age (Matt. 28:19-20). Praise and thank God for keeping His promises.