4/11/10 Acts 18
Persuading
(Ac 18:4)4And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
After Paul leaves Athens he then makes his way to the city of Corinth. He quickly meets a Jewish business man and wife who had to leave Rome, Aquila and Pricilla. Paul stays with them and probably assists them in their business of tent-making, because Paul was also a tent maker. His main assignment was to proclaim to the people in Corinth that Jesus was the Christ and it was necessary for them to believe in Him to receive the forgiveness of sins. Paul does this by going to the synagogue every Sabbath and tries to persuade the Jews and God fearing Greeks. When Silas and Timothy come from Macedonia Paul then devoted himself completely to knowing and proclaiming the word.
Apparently, the Jews in this part of the city rejected Paul and he moved to another part of the city and stayed with a man that lived next to another synagogue. Paul here was able to persuade the synagogue official and his household and as a result many of the Corinthians believed. The Lord speaks directly to Paul and tells him not to fear, to keep on speaking, for I am with you, and no one will harm you, for I have many people in this city.
When the Jewish community learns about what Paul is doing they joined together to bring Him before the judgment seat. They accused Paul of trying to persuade men to worship God contrary to the law. The judge, Gallio, upon hearing this charge told the Jews that he would have nothing to do with this religious case and it was up to them to handle these matters themselves.
Who are you trying to persuade that Jesus is the Christ? Proclaiming to them that it is necessary for them to believe in Him and obey Him to have eternal life (John 3:36, Heb 5:9). Before we are able to persuade anyone we must first know the message and then believe or embrace it ourselves. When we attempt to persuade family and friends do not feel that their rejection is failure for you or the message. Paul was met with rejection from some Jews, but then moves on to other Jews and find reception. We have no idea with whom or when God may open the heart of family or friends to the good news found in Jesus Christ. As disciples we are simply called to carry the message to others so they may believe and obey. In the next few chapters of Acts you will notice Paul continues to try and persuade men that Jesus is the Christ, even king Agrippa who was ruling over the Jews (Acts 19:8, 26; 26:28; 28:23-24).
(2 Co 5:11)11Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.
Prayer: Father in Heaven great is your Name and greatly to be praised. It is my prayer that I would be a faithful servant of yours, persuading men and women about Jesus and the kingdom of God. When I am met with rejection give me encouragement to continue. When I have fear give me boldness to continue. When I do not completely understand give me wisdom to continue. Thank you for calling me and giving me the opportunity to persuade men to believe in Jesus, in His name I ask. Amen.