DAILY BIBLE READING June 7th, 2020 ACTS 18:1-17 (GNT)

God’s Life-Giving Word of Spiritual Renewal

INTRODUCTION

Acts 18:1-17: From Athens, the apostle Paul travels to Corinth and meets Aquila and Priscilla with whom he stays. He has a vision in which the Lord encourages him to keep on speaking and leading people to faith. While many in Corinth believe Paul’s message and are baptized, he is brought to court by his opponents but released by the Roman governor.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: ACTS 18:9, 10A

One night, Paul had a vision in which the Lord said to him, “Do not be afraid, but keep on speaking and do not give up, for I am with you.”

TODAY'S READING

In Corinth

1After this, Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth. 2There he met a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, for Emperor Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3and stayed and worked with them, because he earned his living by making tents, just as they did. 4He held discussions in the synagogue every Sabbath, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks.

5When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul gave his whole time to preaching the message, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. 6When they opposed him and said evil things about him, he protested by shaking the dust from his clothes and saying to them, “If you are lost, you yourselves must take the blame for it! I am not responsible. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7So he left them and went to live in the house of a Gentile named Titius Justus, who worshiped God; his house was next to the synagogue. 8Crispus, who was the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with all his family; and many other people in Corinth heard the message, believed, and were baptized.

9One night Paul had a vision in which the Lord said to him, “Do not be afraid, but keep on speaking and do not give up, 10for I am with you. No one will be able to harm you, for many in this city are my people.” 11So Paul stayed there for a year and a half, teaching the people the word of God.

12When Gallio was made the Roman governor of Achaia, Jews there got together, seized Paul, and took him into court. 13“This man,” they said, “is trying to persuade people to worship God in a way that is against the law!”

14Paul was about to speak when Gallio said to the Jews, “If this were a matter of some evil crime or wrong that has been committed, it would be reasonable for me to be patient with you Jews. 15But since it is an argument about words and names and your own law, you yourselves must settle it. I will not be the judge of such things!” 16And he drove them out of the court. 17They all grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the court. But that did not bother Gallio a bit.

REFLECT

Today’s reading reveals Paul’s occupation as part of his missionary strategy in order to support himself. What was it? What message was he preaching in the synagogue? Why did Paul’s opponents bring him to court? Why did Gallio, the Roman governor, release him? Why do you think Sosthenes was beaten?

PRAY

Lord Jesus, in the safety and shelter of your love, I need not fear. When trials come my way, I know that you are with me, guiding and protecting me. Thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness. Amen.

PRAYER CONCERN

Those who are unjustly accused and facing trial