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Acts 18. The 2nd Missionary Journey (3). Paul’s Preaching in Athens. When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered (32). 1 Corinthians 15:12-13. Response in Athens. Very little response Some sneered Some wanted to hear more
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Acts 18 The 2nd Missionary Journey (3)
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered (32) 1 Corinthians 15:12-13
ResponseinAthens • Very little response • Some sneered • Some wanted to hear more • Dionysius (a member of the Areopagus) and a woman named Damaris responded and others
On to Corinth! • After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.(Acts 18:1)
On to Corinth! • In Athens, Paul had been “belittled and disrespected.” (Pollard, p. 122)
On to Corinth! • Paul arrived in Corinth at the lowest point in his missionary travels.
The City of Corinth • 50 miles west of Athens • Gateway between Asia & Europe • “Master of 2 Harbors” • Isthmus of Corinth – 3 ½ Miles
Isthmus Of Corinth 3.5 Miles
Aristophanes (450-385 B.C.)Coined the verb Korinthiadzo meaning “to fornicate”
The City of Corinth • 146 B.C. – Destroyed by Romans • 44 B.C. – Rebuilt as a Roman Colony by Julius Caesar • 1,000 sacred prostitutes of Aphrodite were in pre-Roman Corinth • Population – 145,000 in 1st Century (McRay, p. 164)
Corinth was the “New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas of the ancient world.”(Gordon Fee, quoted by McRay, p. 166)
Isthmian Games • Every 2 years • Panhellenic • Devoted to Poseidon
Aquila & Priscilla • Jews • From Pontus • Coming from Rome • Tentmakers
…because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. (18:2) In A.D. 49, the Roman Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from the city of Rome.
…because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. (18:2) Resulted from a controversy among the Jews regarding “Chrestus.” (Suetonius)
Corinthian Ministry • Large Jewish community • Every Sabbath reasoned in the synagogue…Jews and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching….(18:5)
This is the setting for 1 & 2 ThessaloniansWritten from Corinth in A.D. 50Perhaps written in reverse order
1 & 2 Thessalonians • Paul, Silas, and Timothy – 1:1 • Faith, hope and love (refrain) • Love of mother/father (2:7, 11-12) • Occasioned by quick departure (2:17-3:6)
1 & 2 Thessalonians • …do this more and more (4:1). • …lead a quiet life…. (4:11-12) • 2nd Coming Issues (2 Thess. 3)
Ministry in Corinth • Jesus is Christ! • Jews/abusive (6) • Next door to the house of Titius Justus/God-fearer
Ministry in Corinth • Crispus the synagogue ruler believed in Christ • (Vision) Do not be afraid…. (9)
Ministry in Corinth • Ministered for 1 ½ years (11)
Gallio • Proconsul of Achaia • A.D. 51-52 • Probably early in his rule
Gallio • Court (NIV) is bēma • Judgment seat in 2 Cor. 5:10
Gallio • Gallio saw it as a Jewish problem. • Sosthenes the synagogue ruler was beaten.
Headed Home • Accompanied by Aquila & Priscilla to Ephesus • Cuts hair in Cenchrea for a vow – still very much a Jew
Headed Home • Short time of preaching in synagogue in Ephesus • Sailed to Caesarea
When he landed in Caesarea, he went up (to Jerusalem) and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.(18:22) Down Up
Meanwhile… • Apollos arrived in Ephesus • From Alexandria, Egypt • He was a powerful Jewish preacher • Knew about Jesus • Knew only baptism of John
Meanwhile… • Priscilla & Aquila invited him to their home “and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” (18:26) • Goes to Corinth (1 Cor. 3:6) • Jesus was the Christ (18:5)
Troas • Philippi • Thessalonica • Berea • Athens • Corinth Paul’s Second Missionary Journey