SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, MARCH 18, 2018 TOPIC: Evangelising Corinth and Ephesus

SUNDAY SCHOOL   LESSON, MARCH 18, 2018

 TOPIC: Evangelising Corinth and Ephesus

Memory Verse: Acts 19:11,20. God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul…… So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed (KJV).

LESSON TEXT: Acts 18:1 through 19:20

CENTRAL TRUTH: Proclaiming God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit can change lives.

FOCUS:  To consider and appreciate that fact God’s Word is powerful and will prevail over evil.

 Outline:

1    1.     Eighteen Months at Corinth

A.    Success and Opposition

B.     The Church Established

2   2.     Two Years at Ephesus

A.    Some Theological Confusion

B.     The Gospel Takes Hold

3   3.     God’s Word Spreads and Prevails

A.    Attempts at Duplicating Miracles Fail

B.     Seized with Fear.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1.     Recognise Paul’s example of Spirit-empowered ministry

2.     Seek the Holy Spirit’s help in overcoming adversity

3.     Appreciate the Holy Spirit’s ability to transform lives.

Introducing The Lesson

     Although helping to fulfill the Great Commission is a tremendous challenge, it is possible when we learn to rely upon the power of God to do what we cannot on our own. The apostle Paul seemed to grasp this truth instinctively. He described his attitude prior to his initial arrival at Corinth in the second chapter of 1Corinthians. “My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (verse 4, KJV).

   COMMENTARY AND APPLICATION

11.     Eighteen Months in Corinth

A.    Success and Opposition. Acts 18:1-6

     Corinth in the first century was a thriving commercial city. It was strategically located on important sea routes, which enables it to be relatively wealthy in comparison to other cities in the Roman Empire during that period. As Paul continued his southwesterly journey, Corinth was a logical place to proclaim the gospel.

      Upon arriving at Corinth, Paul met Aquila and his wife Priscilla, two Jews who left Rome because the emperor had ordered all Jews out of the city ( Acts 18:1-4). Although some believe Paul led the couple to Christ, it is more likely that they had already become believers prior to meeting the apostle. Because the three were tent makers, Paul stayed and worked with them. This helped meet his needs while he proclaimed the gospel.

     As was customary in his ministry, Paul first went to the local synagogue to bring the gospel to the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles who regularly attended Sabbath services. Before long, Silas and Timothy joined him 9verse 5-6). The evangelists experienced some abuse at the hands of the Jews. When it was evident that his Jewish audience had become hardened, Paul shook out his clothes as a witness against them (see Mark 6:11). Commentators note that this symbolic action can be likened to someone shacking scraps from an apron. It was a sign he rejected their resistance to and rejection of the gospel.

QUESTION: Why do you think Paul responded in this manner?

    He realized that further ministry to the Jews at Corinth would be largely futile. The Greeks in the city also deserved his attention. The gospel was for them as well. His own people had heard the message of salvation, now others must have the same opportunity.

B.     The Church Established. Acts 18:7-11

    It did not take Paul and his friends long to find success. Next door to synagogue lived a wealthy Gentile named Titius Justus who worshipped God. He offered his home as a place for Paul to continue his ministry. There, Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, came to faith, along with his entire household (Acts 18:7-8).

     Verse 8 indicates that these conversions brought a significant amount of fruition to Paul’s efforts. Many more Corinthians who heard the message Paul believed and were baptized. In the midst of serious opposition, God was at work.

     One night the Lord appeared to the apostle in the form of a vision and spoke to him saying: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city” (verses 9-10, NIV).

QUESTION: Why do you think the Lord appeared to Paul in a vision at a time when he was having great success in ministry in spite of opposition?

     It is possible that he had become apprehensive and considered the option of leaving as he did in Thessalonica. It may also be that he had become discouraged and needed some confirmation.

     Whatever the reason for the vision, it gave Paul the confidence to stay and continue his ministry. Verse 11 states that the apostle stayed in the city for about a year teaching. Although more opposition would come, the word of the Lord proved true. No one harmed him while in Corinth and the church continued to grow.

22.     Two Years at Ephesus

A.    Some Theological Confusion. Acts 19:1-7

       Paul made a point of returning to Ephesus following a brief visit there earlier. When he arrived there, he encountered individuals who were believers but did not fully understand the gospel message. They did not know nor experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In addition, they were only acquainted with John’s baptism( John the Baptist) and not Christian baptism (Acts 19:1-3).

     The apostle immediately sought to correct the theological misunderstandings that were confusing the disciples. Verse 4 explains he clarified the difference between John’s baptism of repentance, which was meant to prepare for the coming of Jesus, and believers’ baptism, which was to come following a declaration of faith.

     After Paul instructed them,they were baptized as believers. He then laid his hands on them and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, and prophesied. There were a dozen of men who were baptized in water and with the Holy Spirit that day (verses 5-7).

B.     The Gospel Takes Hold. Acts 19:8-10

   Soon after arriving in Ephesus, Paul resumed his usual pattern of preaching and teaching in the local synagogue. As was the case in Corinth and most othet cities, the response was mixed. Many received his teaching and became followers of Christ. Others, however, became obstinate and refused to believe his message (Acts 19:8-9).

    For three months, Paul preached and taught in the synagogue. As time went on, opposition became increasingly vocal. Verse 9 states that they began to slander Paul and sought to discredit the gospel.

     When some in the synagogue began speaking evil of the way (that is, the full message of the gospel), the apostle decided that continuing to teach there has become futile endeavor. He took his disciples, left the synagogue, and moved his ministry to the school, or lecture hall of Tyrannus. There he held daily discussions with many who gathered to hear his message.

        Many scholars believe the “school of Tyrannus” was called that because Tyrannus is the primary lecturer there. It is though that he taught at the hall in the morning and the afternoon was available for others who had lectures they wanted to give. Paul probably took advantage of the opportunity and used the hall for his ministry during those afternoon hours. After crowds consistently gathered to hear his message, the hall became his new ministry headquarters.

      In all, the apostle remained in Ephesus for two years and when he was finished, all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia had heard the gospel ( verse 10).

QUESTION: What can we learn from Paul’s successful ministry in Ephesus?

3   3.     God’s Word Spreads and Prevails

A.    Attempts at Duplicating Miracles Fail.  Acts 19:11-16

      The bold preaching, persuasive teaching and accompanying miracles at the hands of Paul and his associates led to the rapid growth of the church at Ephesus. The signs and wonders done by Paul led people to acquire handkerchiefs and aprons touched by Paul to bring to the sick for healing. So great was the power working through him that mere contact with these garments led to healings and the release of evil spirits from individuals (Acts 19:11-12).

     The amazing evangelistic success and demonstrations of power from the hand of Paul led certain Jewish exorcists to attempt to imitate his methods. Verse 13-16 describe an attempt but seven sons of Sceva ( a Jew and Chief priest ) to cast out demonic spirit  “in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches” (verse 13, NIV). These attempts led to unforeseen consequences. Through the demon-possessed man, the demonic spirit overpowered them leaving them bruised and beaten.

     God’s miracles are not achieved through a magic formula. They are never the result of an incarnation or prescribed choice of words. They take place when people who are filled with the Holy Spirit surrendered to the direction and wisdom of the Spirit.

      Signs and wonders are not to be seen as restricted to Paul and the apostles in the first century. Signs and wonders accompany the preaching of the good news today, and are meant to demonstrate and authenticate the message. We must remember that God’s power has not diminished, just as His desire to manifest His power has not diminished. His power will follow all who passionately depend upon the Spirit and are determined to bring the message of Salvation to the lost in need of salvation.

B.     Seized with Fear. Acts 19:17-20

QUESTION: How did people respond to Paul’s ministry?

       News of extraordinary events surrounding Paul’s ministry spread throughout Ephesus. All the people living in the city – Jews as well as Gentiles- were seized with fear, recognizing the power demonstrated by the missionaries. The name of Jesus was held in high regard (Acts 19:17). Whenever Paul and his followers went in the city people listened to the message he proclaimed.

      The response of the people was no means superficial. Verses 18-19 report that many who believed confessed their sins openly. Their conversions were not private matters. They were life-changing events.

      Many of the new Ephesian believers reacted in extraordinary ways to their new faith. Some who had previously practiced witchcraft and sorcery brought their books of magic and publicly burned them. These books were of great monetary value. Luke declares the total value of those openly burned was approximately fifty thousand pieces of Silver (verse 19). If these were drachmas, the amount was equivalent to two years’ wages for 200 labourers.

      While we are not saved by our works, work provide evidence that faith is genuine. Just as the Ephesian believers demonstrated that their faith was authentic by their rejection of their old ways, so must believers today. We should never be guilty of proclaiming a false gospel that does not require a life-changing response.

      The ministry of Paul and his companions was effective for many reasons. These ministers were bold in their proclamation. They were dependent upon the spirit for the power to preach in the midst of hostile circumstances. Signs and wonders accompanied their ministry drawing attention to their life-changing message.

      Paul preached a message that required repentance and life transformation. He and those who were with him stayed in the city for two years making sure that those who became followers were adequately disciple. If we are going to be successful in our ministry, we will need to follow Paul’s example.

DISCIPLESHIP IN ACTION

    The gospel has the power to change lives. But it will only be proclaimed successfully when those who preach it do so while remaining dependent upon the Holy Spirit. Christians must recognize that people respond to the gospel when the Holy Spirit acts on them – not just when we are able to articulate the gospel message with great skill or charisma.

    The gospel message must also be preached without compromise. We must never give people the impression that becoming a believer in Jesus requires little ways of lifestyle response. It is requires that those who place their faith in Jesus receive Him as Lord of their lives. This means that we must turn from our sins and submit to His rule. The amazing thing is that when we do turn to the Lord in humility and repentance, He gives us the power to live for Him every day.

MINISTRY IN ACTION

    The power to convince non-believers of God’s truth does not come from us. It comes from the work of the Holy Spirit. He alone knows the intimate details of a person’s life and can convict the person of sin. When we place our trust in God we will see great things happen.