DAILY BIBLE READING June 8th, 2020 ACTS18:18-28 (GNT)

God’s Life-Giving Word of Spiritual Renewal

INTRODUCTION

Acts 18:18-28: After leaving Corinth, Paul travels to Ephesus and Caesarea before returning to Antioch in Syria. He then journeys on to Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the believers. The reading concludes with an account of the ministry of Apollos, who is mentioned as a coworker of Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4-6; 4:6; 16:12.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: ACTS 18:25

[Apollos] had been instructed in the Way of the Lord, and with great enthusiasm he proclaimed and taught correctly the facts about Jesus.

TODAY'S READING

The Return to Antioch

18 Paul stayed on with the believers in Corinth for many days, then left them and sailed off with Priscilla and Aquila for Syria. Before sailing from Cenchreae he had his head shaved because of a vow he had taken. 19They arrived in Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He went into the synagogue and held discussions with the Jews. 20The people asked him to stay longer, but he would not consent. 21Instead, he told them as he left, “If it is the will of God, I will come back to you.” And so he sailed from Ephesus.

22When he arrived at Caesarea, he went to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and then went to Antioch. 23After spending some time there, he left and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the believers.

Apollos in Ephesus and Corinth

24At that time a Jew named Apollos, who had been born in Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker and had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord, and with great enthusiasm he proclaimed and taught correctly the facts about Jesus. However, he knew only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home with them and explained to him more correctly the Way of God. 27Apollos then decided to go to Achaia, so the believers in Ephesus helped him by writing to the believers in Achaia, urging them to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who through God's grace had become believers. 28For with his strong arguments he defeated the Jews in public debates by proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

REFLECT

How do you envision Paul strengthening the believers as he traveled throughout the Mediterranean basin? Where or to whom do you turn for strength and encouragement?
How do you envision Apollos’s encounter with Priscilla and Aquila? In what ways do members within your community of faith play a role in instructing others in the faith?

PRAY

Dear Jesus, keep my faith strong. In moments of weakness, encourage me with your Word. Help me to proclaim your message boldly and to be an instrument of your grace. Amen.

PRAYER CONCERN

Those whose faith is weak