Thursday, November 12, 2020

The Acts of the Apostles, the history of the early church, by Luke the physician - Acts 18:18-23 comments: Paul sails to Syria

 

Acts 18:18 ¶  And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 19  And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20  When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21  But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 22  And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23  And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

 

Now notice that Paul said this back in Acts 13;

 

46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

 

So, why does he keep arguing with the Jews? Why shave his head in a solemn vow and insist on keeping a feast in Jerusalem? Paul has a great burden on his heart for his people.

 

Romans 9:1 ¶  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,2  That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.3  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

4  Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5  Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

 

Priscilla and Aquila, a husband and wife team, are called Paul’s helpers.

 

Romans 16: 3  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

 

Remember what Peter called a saved husband and wife.

 

1Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

 

By the way, to any Fundamentalists out there the weaker vessel is a reference to the relative weakness physically of a woman. It is not saying that they are inferior morally or spiritually to a man. Our vessel is our body.

 

Romans 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

 

1Thessalonians 4:3  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

 

It is in Cenchrea where Paul took his vow that Phebe worked for Christ and for the church.

 

Romans 16:1  I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:…27  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. «Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.»

No comments: