1. What stuck out to you from this chapter?
One quick funny thing from verse 18 - Paul cut his hair "because of a vow he had taken." What? Did he lose a bet or something? "Hey Silas, betcha my hair that Priscilla and Aquila won't come with me to Syria..." :)
On a more serious note, at the risk of sounding redundant, I really noticed again in this chapter that wherever Paul went, he went regularly, "religiously," obediently to the synagogues to reason with the Jews and Gentiles from the Scriptures to convince them that Jesus is the Messiah. There's a definite pattern: Relocate - Preach Jesus - Experience Persecution - Relocate. :)
On a more serious note, at the risk of sounding redundant, I really noticed again in this chapter that wherever Paul went, he went regularly, "religiously," obediently to the synagogues to reason with the Jews and Gentiles from the Scriptures to convince them that Jesus is the Messiah. There's a definite pattern: Relocate - Preach Jesus - Experience Persecution - Relocate. :)
2. How does this relate to any other scripture I know?
As I read these last few chapters in Acts, especially those of Paul availing himself to the Jews, pleading and reasoning with them, I get a sense of his heart. He clearly has a heart for the Jewish people (his own people) and even upon persecution goes back to them time and time again. But in Acts 18, we get this sense that his patience has run out and at the same time he is deeply saddened by the Jews' persistent rejection of the gospel. This insight really reminded me of Paul's letter to the Romans. In chapters 9-11, he talks about God's love, God's grace, God's favor upon the Jews, but the rejection by many of the Jews that leads to their destruction. Romans 10 especially shares the big picture thoughts: "My heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved...But not all the Israelites accepted the good news." I love that the book of Acts gives us insight into the New Testament books of the Bible written as letters by Paul, Peter, James, and Jude. Acts is the story, the letters are the doctrine, and both reinforce each other.
3. What does this mean for my life?
Despite the insights into this chapter from the first two questions, the most profound "take-home" lesson for me comes from the end of Acts 18. Beginning in verse 18, we see how Paul remained very close with Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife team of close friends and supporters during his ministry. That much is not uncommon, but what stood out to me is that after Paul had left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus and Apollos shows up. He is a learned man, speaking boldly in the synagogues, but not really knowing the full message of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So Paul's two friends took him in and gently encouraged him and "explained to him the way of God more adequately." It was an act of discipleship, of training and equipping and encouraging, that must have happened from Paul to them. So indirectly, it was Paul's investment in Priscilla and Aquila, that was "payed forward", which helped shape Apollos into a powerful preacher. By the way, Apollos is referred to in 1 Corinthians 1-3 as one who came after Paul to teach the Corinthians. So for me, I need to keep my eyes open for opportunities to intentionally disciple younger believers (which may not be a matter of age either). It might be a one time encounter like in this passage, or it may be for a season or my whole life.
4. What questions do I have about this chapter?
I don't really know how to phrase this question. But when God told Paul in a vision, "Keep preaching, don't be afraid, I have many people in this city," that was nice. Paul knew he was in the right place at the right time. Why does God sometimes say those things and sometimes leave us questioning and wondering, "Am I supposed to be here? Is this still valuable? Should I be investing my time and money somewhere else?" I think most people would like a vision telling them to stay where they are or go to a new place. But I guess that question came to my mind.
I'd love to hear from others. Whether you're able to join me for a day or for the duration of this project, I hope you take time to read the appropriate chapter (the book and chapter reference are linked to a site where you can read the chapter online.) I'd also really love to hear your own answers to any or all of these questions, and/or to my own thoughts. God's blessings.
In Christ,
Dan
Despite the insights into this chapter from the first two questions, the most profound "take-home" lesson for me comes from the end of Acts 18. Beginning in verse 18, we see how Paul remained very close with Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife team of close friends and supporters during his ministry. That much is not uncommon, but what stood out to me is that after Paul had left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus and Apollos shows up. He is a learned man, speaking boldly in the synagogues, but not really knowing the full message of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. So Paul's two friends took him in and gently encouraged him and "explained to him the way of God more adequately." It was an act of discipleship, of training and equipping and encouraging, that must have happened from Paul to them. So indirectly, it was Paul's investment in Priscilla and Aquila, that was "payed forward", which helped shape Apollos into a powerful preacher. By the way, Apollos is referred to in 1 Corinthians 1-3 as one who came after Paul to teach the Corinthians. So for me, I need to keep my eyes open for opportunities to intentionally disciple younger believers (which may not be a matter of age either). It might be a one time encounter like in this passage, or it may be for a season or my whole life.
4. What questions do I have about this chapter?
I don't really know how to phrase this question. But when God told Paul in a vision, "Keep preaching, don't be afraid, I have many people in this city," that was nice. Paul knew he was in the right place at the right time. Why does God sometimes say those things and sometimes leave us questioning and wondering, "Am I supposed to be here? Is this still valuable? Should I be investing my time and money somewhere else?" I think most people would like a vision telling them to stay where they are or go to a new place. But I guess that question came to my mind.
I'd love to hear from others. Whether you're able to join me for a day or for the duration of this project, I hope you take time to read the appropriate chapter (the book and chapter reference are linked to a site where you can read the chapter online.) I'd also really love to hear your own answers to any or all of these questions, and/or to my own thoughts. God's blessings.
In Christ,
Dan
No comments:
Post a Comment