October 19, 2026 - Acts 18

The story, here in chapter 18:  “Paul left Athens and went to Corinth” (18:1).  And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.  “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household” (18:8).  “And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized” (18:8).  Now, the Lord had already said to Paul, “I have many in this city who are my people” (18:10.  Here’s the thing, God was at work.  He was sending his preachers out, and he was blessing that preaching and bringing about the great work he intended.  I’m reminded of the words of C. D. Mallary, a 19^th century Southern Baptist in Georgia, words that reflect Paul’s experience and that should encourage us.

With what joy may the spiritual husbandman thrust in his ploughshare and sow his seed.  With what immovable confidence may the missionary of the cross, in obedience to his ascended Saviour, fly to distant lands, and proclaim in every valley and every hill, “O ye dry bones hear ye the word of the Lord.”  Victory he knows will sooner or later come, and the assurance of victory nerves his arm and gladdens his heart amidst all the terrors of the battle field.