Promotion & Guidance (9/26/23)
Acts 18
Freya
9/27/2023
Life Lesson(s)…
From prior chapters to Acts 18, Paul's spiritual walk is outlined from his conversion to each of his spiritual promotions. Specifically, Paul's spiritual walk is detailed from his conversion to learning from the apostles to walking in his apostolic calling going from city to city upon Holy Spirit's guidance.
In Acts 18, Paul's apostolic calling continued to show growth along with his passion to know God more intimately and to walk in obedience to the Lord. This is seen in his haircut and vow he undertook as noted in verse 18. The growth in his calling came with the growth of believers among Jews and Gentiles. Paul grew in his teaching and strengthening the disciples.
God was with Paul and aided him in many ways including bolstering Paul with traveling companions such as Aquila, Priscilla, Silas and Timothy, who could also help Paul in other ways. Or, put simply, Proverbs 27:17, which states "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." All helping, guiding, and growing the family of Christ followers by going out two or more together. The reason for having at least two go out together probably relates to Jesus' directions found in Mark 6:7, which is likely based on the principles of Matthew 18:19-20, Deuteronomy 19:15, John 8:15-18, and Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
This pattern of a spiritual growth appears again with Apollos, who was discovered to be preaching fervently and accurately by Aquila and Priscilla. Aquila and Priscilla met with him and guided him with instruction. Eventually, Apollos felt led to go to Achaia, the brothers in Ephesus blessed him and gave him introduction to be with the disciples in Achaia, where he ministered and more believers came to know Jesus.
Your Thoughts…
Study, pray, journal:
Is there any evidence in Acts 18 of Paul being guided and promoted by God? If so, where?
What do you believe to be the likely explanation for disciples to work in pairs based on the verses given above? Why do you think so?
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When [Paul] had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
ACTS 18:22-23 (ESV)