Paul in Ephesus, Apollos in Corinth

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 18:18-19:10

Acts 19:9-10

But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

(NKJV)

 

Paul had been in Corinth and could have remained there in comfort, but he knew his calling was to the Gentiles. As a Pharisee, he also wanted to reach out to his fellow Jews as well. Therefore, Paul left the comfort of Corinth for Ephesus to reach out to more Gentiles. We also see him taking time out in Ephesus to attend a Jewish feast in Jerusalem, to maintain his witness and testimony to the Jews. Paul is an example of one obediently obeying his calling from God, even when it meant leaving his comfort zone.

 

Paul stayed a good while, a year and a half, in Corinth and then left for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him. In Cenchrea, he had his hair cut off because he had taken a vow (Acts 18:18). Paul came to Ephesus and left Priscilla and Aquila there while he entered the synagogue to reason with the Jews, and when they asked him to stay longer, he did not consent (Acts 18:19-20). His reason for not consenting was that he needed to keep the coming feast in Jerusalem, promising to return to them (Acts 18:21). When Paul landed at Caesarea, he greeted the church and went to Antioch, and after some time there he went to the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples (Acts 18:22-23).

 

A certain Jew named Apollos, an eloquent man who was mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus (Acts 18:24). Even though Apollos only knew the baptism of John, he had been instructed in the way of the Lord and being fervent in spirit, spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord (Acts 18:25). Apollos began to speak boldly in the synagogue and when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside, explaining the way of the Lord more accurately (Acts 18:26). When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brethren exhorted the disciples there to receive him, with him greatly helping them when he arrived (Acts 18:27). Apollos also refuted the Jews publicly, showing them from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 18:28).

 

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul came to Ephesus and found some disciples, asking if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed, and they responded that they did not know there was a Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-2). Paul then asked them into what baptism they were baptized and they said John’s baptism (Acts 19:3). Paul explained that the baptism of John was a baptism of repentance, and that John told them to believe on Him who would come after him, Christ Jesus (Acts 19:4). Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied, about twelve men in all (Acts 19:5-7). Paul then went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of God (Acts 19:8). However, when some were hardened and did not believe, speaking evil of the Way, Paul departed, taking the disciples with him and reasoned daily in the school of Tyrannus (Acts 19:9). This continued for two years so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks (Acts 19:10).   

 

Paul could have remained in Corinth, where he was well received but knew he had a mission to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 18:6). Paul leaves Corinth for Ephesus but does not stay so he can attend a feast in Jerusalem, leaving Priscilla and Aquila behind. However, while his mission is to minister to the Gentiles, he is still a Jew and wants to maintain his status with the Jews so that when he has an opportunity to minister to his fellow Jews, he can. In Acts 18:18, Paul also has his hair cut off, indicating he took a Nazirite vow (Numbers 6:1-21). Paul does return to Ephesus as promised, continuing his mission of taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.

 

When one has a calling from the Lord, he or she must be willing to leave their comfort zone and go where God leads. Like Paul, the Lord may call us to leave the comfort of our Corinth and go where He leads. For us to do this, we must have faith in God and trust that His plans for us are for our good, even if it does not appear so (Jeremiah 29:11). One must have the tenacity of Job, who lost everything but his life and his wife and remained faithful to his God (Job 13:15). To persevere in ministry, a minister must remain obedient and faithful to God in times of struggle and persecution and be willing to leave his or her comfort zone.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed for forgiveness for your sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

 This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.