Wherever Paul went on his missionary journeys, God raised up other Christians to assist him. In Acts 18, we see that ecclesiastical synergy at work again.
At this point in his second missionary journey, Paul was in the city of Corinth, which was infamous for its spiritual, moral, and intellectual corruption. However, God did not let Paul minister alone in the midst of the darkness of that city. He raised up Priscilla and Aquila to be an encouragement to Paul. Like Paul, they were tentmakers, and he joined them in their trade to support himself as he ministered.
Following his usual pattern, Paul went first to the synagogues and then to the Gentiles. He taught regularly that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One. Because of his faithfulness in preaching the gospel, many people came to faith in Christ, including Crispus, the ruler of one of the synagogues.
But many of the Jews accused Paul of blasphemy and rejected the teaching of the gospel. Paul feared for his life because they sought to kill him. As a result, God sent Paul a word of encouragement to strengthen him. God still had many people to save in the city of Corinth (Acts 18:10); Paul’s work was not finished.
We all need encouragement at some point in our lives. Like Paul, we will find it both from a Christian community as well as directly from God Himself.
Watch part 94 of the 365 Key Chapters of the Bible series, based on Ken’s Handbook to Scripture.
