Shadows Past

Acts 18:1-2

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

I know some of you are muttering under your breath, 'Dear God, not again; how many epistles does this man plan to write.' Everywhere he goes, it seems he comes up with another one. Notice the connection between the believers in this place, these things, and Paul's scribblings. Let me see, he just left the Grecian city of Athens. So, the next epistle would be addressed to the Thessalonians. I know, naming things by their makeup and region rather than their origin makes no sense at all. But so, things were in those days. The apostle's travels were beset with chaos, political issues, and emotional turmoil. However, in all these places God remained. Even so, the babies of the faith needed nurturing else they ran the risk of dying out. Along with them, the rest of the region would soon follow. Look with me if you will at that name again. Thessalo- is combined with -nians, better known as Athens. Quickly, let us find out where he is going. Corinth, while still in Greece, was the ancient equivalent of our Panama City by which the canal sits. This name means satisfied in the original languages. But I know that some of you are not. This begs the question as to why Paul's Corinthian epistles do not appear here with their place of origin.

The answer to that lies in the Roman conquest and dispersion. Such is an unfortunate fact that Scripture also supports. I am sure there are spiritual reasons for Paul writing thusly also. Nonetheless, that is simply the way things are. Now that I have completely lost some of you, let us look further. 1 Thessalonians 1 opens with a testimony from Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy unto the little church. Notice their position "in God the Father" and Jesus Christ our Lord. Talk about eternal security; my friend, you cannot get much better than this. Such a keeping brings both grace and peace. See, grace is because you have no one else; peace is because you are kept. Amidst all this faith works, love labors, and patience hopes. It seems their mere mention causes the apostles to remember and thank God. So also do they pray for these the more.

And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

For so are these believers kept. Notice that little word elected. It also means chosen; yet to be chosen you must first be kept. Their keeper is God not unto man at all. In so doing they are accepted in the beloved as brethren, strangers no longer. It sure is nice to have a Savior in such times. Now, these believers are sure as the old song says due to no mere words. Rather the power, the Spirit, and the assurance testify for these three agree. See "what manner of men" the apostles were and that "for your sake." This explained the whole Corinthian problem, did it not. I cannot underestimate the importance of not tripping up your audience or your witness. You never know what someone else is going through. We had never heard of these dispersions until now. Here, the text explains the Jewish dispersion from Rome. How else would Paul meet Priscilla and Aquila. Indulge me for just a second. The name Priscilla means some old thing. So, what do you think Aquila means. You guessed it, Aquila stands for eagle demonstrating the power of the Roman government. It is not for nothing that Paul meets this man here and now. Their meeting seems almost divine as the man from the place of bridges comes to make much plain to the growing church. Here his meeting helps Paul cross the divide between his loss, his lack, and the people's need. How many of you know that in all things, God has you covered. Even down to the minute trivial details such as this. Indeed, nothing escapes him nor yet has little value in his sight. Notice the Roman leader of this time might have been short-sighted. Yet there has never been a time that God has not. Here are the best examples of his choosing grace.

Yet as we will soon see, there was another dispersion prior; for the Romans, like Paul, "came to Corinth." Such events explain the animosity of the church towards that Roman apostle. There is bitterness in their hearts for their much suffering, of that you can be sure. Paul lost his life among them; so, did they theirs from a rich city to that of other places. Now see the Thessalonian example towards all Macedonia and Achaia as they followed the Lord. At first came their quiet humility and much affliction. Until finally at the end they reaped in joy from the Spirit. Thus, the believers became the church that is going somewhere. See, they were not just examples of his work. From Macedonia, Achaia, and elsewhere the sound of the Word is heard because of them. Oh, what would have been had these not turned from idols unto God "the living and true." Herein you see the power of a life so lived for God in faith until his deliverance be come. So also, our apostle needs not address any here as he did the church of the Corinthians. Despite this move or that, the story has always been about how Christ rose from the grave. Certainly, he was once dead now alive forevermore. Take that, you Mars Hill theologians. Now is the time of the little church's delivery "from the wrath to come." So, these also are kept to a threefold ministry. If it seems rough now little church, hang in there. Better is coming.