As you know Paul is often (and properly) called the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” Romans 11:13 clearly tells us so, in Paul’s own words: “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles.” In fact, his vast ministry was always opposed by the Jews, sometimes severely and perilously so.

Once, to further prove my point, Paul was commanded by God to “get out” of Jerusalem. (Acts 22:18 … “Make haste, and GET THEE QUICKLY OUT of Jerusalem: for THEY WILL NOT RECEIVE thy testimony concerning me.”) An imperative, a command!

Yet … he still tried to preach to the Jews everywhere he went! With minimal success and maximum opposition!

Once when preaching (on his first missionary journey, in Antioch of Pisidia) Paul was so accosted by the Jews, Luke writes: “But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. 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.” Acts 13:45-46, wisely done, Paul!

This scenario repeats itself (today’s Lesson) on the second missionary journey, in Corinth: “And when they (the Jews) opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I WILL GO TO THE GENTILES.” Acts 18:6

Wow!

Then, upon once again resolving to obey the Lord “in going to the Gentiles” … the Lord (almost immediately) appeared to Paul, encouraging his ministry to the gentiles in Corinth! “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in THIS CITY. And he continued THERE a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:9-11

Jerusalem … GET OUT!

Corinth … STAY!

Here’s what I am saying today … when Paul preached to the Gentiles … GOD BLESSED HIM NO END! When Paul interacted with the Jews (albeit via preaching, evangelism) he met strong persecution!

Truth be told … his last trip to Jerusalem (Paul now having made a vow and having reverted to some Mosaic practices, after preaching so strongly against the Law) was warned by God … demonstrably!

On the way to the City (where he was arrested, sent to Caesarea then to Rome and detained for years) God warned Paul once more: “And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the JEWS at JERUSALEM bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” Acts 21:10-11, in other words, DO NOT GO TO JERUSALEM!

Now read Acts 21:12, the very next verse: “And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, BESOUGHT (BEGGED) him NOT TO GO up to Jerusalem.” Another warning!

I personally believe Paul experienced a somewhat premature death (likely at the hands of Nero, in jail in Rome … initially because of Jewish hatred and accusations, false but powerful accusations). Because he did not fully pursue his ministry to the gentiles as he had been instructed.

I sit here typing and wishing Paul had kept to his resolve that day long ago in Corinth! I mean Acts 18:6 … “From henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”

Had he done so we might have another half dozen divinely inspired Epistles in our New Testament! And Paul indeed might have lived to make that long voyage to Spain, preaching to the gentiles there! Would there have been a sequel to the Book of Acts as well? (“Whensoever I take my journey into SPAIN, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.” Romans 15:24)

Students reading these line here today … STAY WITHN THE CONFINES OF GOD’S WILL FOR YOU LIVES!

After all, that (His Will) is always good and acceptable and perfect! And probably the safest place you can be!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Do not misconstrue this Lesson as being in any way anti-Jewish! I pray: “God bless those children of Abraham!” And the Lord is burdened for their salvation! And many Jewish people today are turning to the Saviour. It is just that God had chosen Paul as a Preacher to the Gentiles! And among them he did his best work.

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I don’t always begin these Lessons by immediately sharing the Bible Text. I often lead up to its introduction. But today …

“After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; and found a certain Jew named AQUILA, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife PRISCILLA.” 1 Corinthians 18:1-2

Thus began a friendship that lasted for years.

Paul knew how to practice the same trade as did this man and his wife! “For by their occupation they were tentmakers.” And Paul is soon living in their home (probably a shop downstairs with rooms up above, both levels facing some busy Corinthian street.) And soon Paul (from his workbench) is witnessing to all passers-by, magnifying the good Grace of God! (By the way, this Couple was also Christian, both being ardent believers in Jesus!)

The “point” of today’s Devotional here?

Often right in the middle of serving our Lord, right in the middle of doing His good Will … one is apt to meet some of the best friends he will ever know!

Yes, God gives us our friends (so much in the Bible tells us the kind of people to “avoid”) as we stay “in the way.” Following “in His Steps!”

Abraham’s faithful servant, entrusted with finding a wife for Isaac, comes to mind here. He testified: “I being IN THE WAY, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” Genesis 24:27, the Lord led him to Rebekah’s home, best friend Isaac every had!

Live “in the way” of obedience, patience, hope … and God just might give you some loyal friends too!

This new set of friends (by the way, they are Husband and Wife) is mentioned in the New Testament six times, all in connection to the Apostle Paul! He once referred to them as “helpers” (in Greek it’s “sunergos,” becoming our word “synergy”)! Co-workers!

Someone reading here today just might need to “back away” from certain so-called friends! And begin trusting the Lord to send you a new friend or two … who will encourage you to stay faithful to Jesus!

We never know what our next (spiritually correct) move might bring … perhaps a new friend!

God certainly did it for Daniel … “Now God had brought Daniel into FAVOUR and TENDER LOVE with the prince of the eunuchs.” Daniel 1:9, a friendship that protected Daniel from many a temptation! “Brought into favour” … endeared to Daniel’s heat!

God gives friends!

Praise His name!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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When Paul left Athens, a bit discouraged I think, he traveled westward to the city of Corinth. (There is no Biblical record of his being miraculously directed that way, no “Macedonian Vision” here.)

Best I could tell, via maps and research, Corinth is just over 50 miles from Athens. “After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.” Acts 18:1, with the Apostle apparently traveling alone. (Silas and Timothy were still preaching elsewhere.)

The city is situated on a fairly narrow isthmus connecting two oceans! The Ionian and the Aegean Seas, to be exact. This fact alone made Corinth a bustling city of commerce, with ships (and sailors) and merchants aplenty! Also with the accompanying sins and debauchery!

Think how impoverished we would be if our Bibles lacked both First and Second Corinthians! Virtual Manuals on proper Church behavior (1st Corinthians) and as good a look into the heart of Paul as exists anywhere (2nd Corinthians).

Yes, Paul went (walking likely) to Corinth from Athens! (Several days on foot on the road!)

Yet he transversed …

From a short stay (Athens) to a long ministry (Corinth)! “And Paul continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God (not teaching philosophy) among them.” Acts 18:11

From a relatively fruitless ministry to a dramatically successful one! “Many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” Acts 18:8

From laboring alone (seldom a good idea) to a host of companions in the work! (Silas and Timothy were soon coming … plus he there met Aquila and Priscilla!)

And from a city with no organized Church (Athens, even after Paul left) to a city with a vibrant, growing Church (in no time flat)!

What a wise move!

Yes, some Churches thrive, even in unlikely environments!

Such was Corinth.

By the way, I am writing this Lesson on Saturday Morning, February 1, 2020. That means tomorrow is the Lord’s Day. What about your Church? Do you plan to support its services with you attendance? Are you contributing to its welfare and strength … no matter its location?

The Bible is clear. We are to “not forsake” the assembling of ourselves together! Luke some do! And when we do meet, we are further urged to “exhort” (encourage) one another!

Why?

Because hard times well may be coming!

I have just given you the Essence of Hebrews 10:25. Here it is in the King James Version, word for word: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

May I hear a good, strong AMEN please?

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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No doubt, Paul was a master Preacher. One of the best ever, apart from our Lord Himself! Paul KNEW the Old Testament Scripture … much of it by heart.

And he nearly always began his sermons with some TEXT from the Word of God. That’s why he so strongly urged young Timothy to … “preach the WORD; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2, a practice Paul modeled week after week. God’s Word was always central!

But suddenly, in Athens, Paul drastically changed his approach. He did NOT go to some Old Testament Passage and preach from it … rather he reasoned with them via their own philosophical systems. (Do bear in mind, he still preached unto them Jesus!) It’s just that his approach, his foundation is different in this intellectual city!

Luke, the author of Acts, records: “Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” Acts 17:22-23, not some verse in Deuteronomy, but a nearby statue to an “unknown god!”

Then, from that launching pad (rather than from an Old Testament Text) Paul continued, introducing the Real God, our God … “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.” Acts 17:24

Paul’s “method” here has been the subject of endless inspection and often downright criticism! (Paul in Athens even quoted a heathen poet, who was talking about the filthy god Zeus! “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of YOUR OWN POETS have said, For we are also his offspring.” Acts 17:28, highly unusual!)

In like manner, many contemporary Sermons nowadays use current events, lines from popular movies, even lyrics of the “Beatles” or some other singing group … rather than centering on some specific Paragraph or Verse of Scripture!

Maybe I am being too critical. Should I just rejoice that (to some degree, at times anyway) Jesus is being preached?

But for me, as a Preacher, “Bring the Book!” (Quoting Nehemiah 8:1) Focus everything on the Word of God!

But back to Paul, good news, soon as he left Athens (with minimal success) Paul reverted to his old hermeneutic! He journeyed to the city of Corinth, where Luke says: “And he continued there a year and six months, TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD among them.” Acts 18:11

Back on track!

But sill, I personally can not/ will not criticize Paul. His Athenian homiletic is not to my taste, but God did honor it!

How so?

Acts 17:33-34 … at the end of his Athens stay: “So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and BELIEVED: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.”

Yes, a few souls were saved!

One man, Dionysius.

One lady, Damaris.

And some “others!”

His philosophical approach (or apologetic) actually bore fruit to the glory of God! Lost souls were born-again!

And all I can say is “Hallelujah!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

This always happens when God’s powerful, incisive Word is preached … “And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.” Acts 28:24

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Paul, in Acts 17, went to Athens, the capital of the intellectual world in its day. There the Apostle, of course, preached the Gospel to any who would listen.

And, unsurprisingly, he encountered some of the philosophers who were so rife in that historical city. They too wanted to hear his Message!

Maybe out of curiosity more than anything else! But still … encountering the Word of God! I am saying they at least listened to a point. (Luke informs us: “For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.” Acts 17:21)

Anyway, Paul is taken to the Aeropagus (Mars Hill) and allowed to speak with some liberty.

But his Sermon was rejected, ridiculed even. Luke again, in Acts 17: this time: “Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this BABBLER say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.”

Look what they called Paul, a “babbler!”

The Greek term is “spermologos,” literally “seed picker!”

What disparagement!

The “seed pickers” of that city were the most abject of the poor, who crawled around on the dirt at the marketplace (agora) seeking to salvage any “seed” that fell from some passing cart!

In other words, Paul was merely scattering/dispensing worthtless “crumbs!”

They en masse rejected the Lord Jesus that day.

And most of them likely died and went into a Christless eternity! Went to a devil’s Hell!

I can think of another “crumb” situation in the New Testament. Where a Gentile lady was thrilled to “get” a few crumbs from Jesus’ table! And that glorious day she not only got the Truth, the Gospel, the Lord … but also her daughter healed of a grievous demon infestation! (Mark 7:26 calls this lady a “Syrophenician.”)

It all depends on what you are willing to do about those crumbs, I guess!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Jesus’ crumbs are better than the devil’s whole loaf!

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