…Paul stayed many days longer (at Corinth) and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila.
Acts 18:18-23
Paul completed his 18 months in Corinth, having established a church there, selected a leader and elders for the church and, taught them all that Jesus had commanded Paul. Now, Paul has decided to return to the church in Antioch in Syria, the one that had sent Paul on his missionary journey. Paul will have to deal with problems that arise in the Corinth church which will result in two of his letters to them being included in the New Testament. Aquila and Priscilla accompany Paul on his journey and, when they come to Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla stay at Ephesus and Paul continues his return to Antioch. After Paul “spent some time” at Antioch, he departed again to visit the churches he had established in Galatia and Phrygia in order to strengthen the brothers in those new churches. God, through these passages of Holy Scripture, is showing us the Paul who once was so zealous against Jesus but now, is zealous for the Kingdom of Christ and His Bride, the church. In Paul, we see a godly man working tirelessly to preach the gospel, establish those who have been converted into a local church, tend to their spiritual needs by giving them leaders and elders to guide them and, following up on each church’s growth and health. Today, pastors and missionaries can look to Paul, and his writings, for how they should function in their role in the church for the human condition remains the same in the world of today as it was in Paul’s day. All humans are born in sin, thanks to our original parents, Adam and Eve. In our state of sin, we do not nor, will not, seek God. Remember that God sought Adam and Eve because they were hiding from God for they were “naked and afraid” of God after sinning against Him. Even to this day, though it may seem some are seeking God, they are only seeking the benefits God gives, not a relationship with the Living God that leads to eternal life with Him. God appoints His servants, throughout history, who bring the message of Redemption to the lost in the world. Others, who claim to be messengers, are false and are not called by God. How is a Christian to know the difference? Only by continual reading of God’s Holy Scriptures and God the Holy Spirit indwelling each Christian can a Christian discern the false prophet among us. Pray today that, through prayer and thanksgiving to our Savior and Lord Jesus, Christians will be edified and enlightened to the grace, love and, mercy found only in Christ Jesus. Source: S C Ball July 22, 2023
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