Sermon On the Net

 

 

 

NO FEAR

 

ACTS 18: Upon his arrival in Corinth Paul met a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They had come from Rome because all Jews were ordered to leave. Paul went to see them because he was a tentmaker and decided to stay for a while. Paul continued his preaching in the Synagogue every Sabbath until Timothy and Silas joined him. The Jews opposed Paul and began to be abusive, so Paul shook out his clothes in protest and left. He went next door to the house of Titus Justus who was a worshipper of God. A man named Crispus, a ruler in the Synagogue believed in Jesus, as well as many of the Corinthians.

 

One night Paul had a vision in which the Lord told him to continue preaching without fear because He had many of His people in the city, verse 9: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” He stayed there a year and a half preaching. The Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before Gallio, the proconsul, to complain. However he rebuked them and told them to handle the matter themselves because the dispute involved their laws. The Jews then turned on Sosthenes and beat him in front of the court without any interference from Gallio.

 

Paul continued his missionary work in Ephesus, preaching in the Synagogue until he left, even though the Jews wanted him to stay. He said he would come back if it is God’s will.

Paul visited many cities, strengthening the brothers in various areas.

 

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos,a native of Alexandria came to Ephesus to preach the way of the Lord. He had been schooled well and had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He taught about Jesus accurately but he was aware only of the baptism of John. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preach they invited him to their home to more adequately explain the way of the Lord. When he wanted to go to Achaia the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. He proved to be a great help to those, who by grace, believed. He vigorously refuted the Jews in public proving from Scripture that Jesus was the Christ.

 

Doesn’t the introduction of Apollos cause you to wonder about the difference between what he was preaching and the true way of Salvation? You see, he was preaching repentance of sins, not forgiveness of sins through Jesus. Remember, John was preaching repentance before Jesus was crucified. He was preaching to people to change their ways and admit sorrow for their sins. This is not salvation. A baptism of water does not save. Water baptism is merely symbolic; acceptance of Jesus as your Savior because He paid for the sin of mankind. This is Salvation. AS the Bible states quite literally,”There is no other name under Heaven whereby man can be saved.” (Acts 4:12) If you seek salvation in a religion or anything else you will be committing a mortal mistake. Simply read and listen to the Word of God.