Acts 18: Tentmakers and Truth-Seekers

Alongside our Sunday teachings, we’re keeping things simple. We’ll be reading through the book of Acts, featuring the many unique voices of the ClearView Church congregation. Each week, we’ll release two chapters, followed by a few reflection questions.

In this  episode, you’ll hear a brief introduction from Pastor Phil, followed by a reading of Acts 18 and some reflection questions from a ClearView staff member.

Read along with the following reflection:

It's interesting to note that Paul was a tentmaker. So, not only was he a former Pharisee; a prominent and influential religious leader who became a follower of Jesus, but he also worked with his hands to earn a living. How might God use you to share the love and hope of Jesus through your work, relationships, and daily interactions, just as He used Paul?

I also noticed that Acts 18 mentions several others who joined Paul in sharing the good news of Jesus: Aquila and Priscilla, Silas and Timothy, and Apollos.

Following Jesus was never meant to be a solo journey. Sometimes we can feel alone in our faith at work, at school, or in our neighbourhoods. Yet God often places other believers around us—people we may not even realize share our desire to follow Jesus and make Him known. Have you experienced encouragement from another believer when you needed it most?

As you pray today, ask God to open your eyes to others who are following Jesus in your workplace, neighbourhood, or community. Ask Him to show you how you might encourage one another and serve together.

Take a moment to reflect on today's passage. What words, phrases, or people stood out to you? What might God be inviting you to notice, learn, or do? Respond to Him in prayer, and rest for a moment in His presence.

Faith Matters is a ministry of Clearview Church, Oakville, On.
https://clearviewchurch.com/

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:04

You are listening to the Faith Matters Podcast from Clearview Church, where we explore everyday faith in a complex world. Our goal is to strengthen and equip followers of Jesus just like you through practical and theological discussions and resources. In this season of the podcast, we're diving deeper into the practices of prayer and study. Each week, we'll release two episodes featuring voices from our congregation reading a chapter from the book of Acts, along with a few reflection questions. Each episode will begin with a short introduction to help set the context of the passage. As you listen, we encourage you to go slow. There will be built-in pauses with gentle background music, giving you space to reflect and wonder about what you're hearing. You might choose to follow along in your Bible or use a Bible app as the passage is read aloud. Above all, invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you and reveal what you need from the text. Now, on to the book of Acts and the passage of the day.

SPEAKER_01 1:26

Acts 17 followed Paul into cities that were full of thinkers, skeptics, and curious listeners. In Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, Paul meets three very different audiences, but he keeps bringing the same Jesus. And the chapter ends with some people mocking, some believing, but the message of the gospel still moving out in power. And now, in chapter 18, we are going to read how Paul moves on to the city of Corinth.

SPEAKER_02 1:59

After this, Paul left Aethen and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Achilla, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a ten maker, as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he risen in the synagogue trying to pursue Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, Your blood be on your own head. I'm innocent of it. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles. Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believe in the Lord, and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision. 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. So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the youths of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. This man they charge is pursuing the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law. Joseph's Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, If you Jews were making a complaint about some mismanure or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names of your own law, settle the matter yourself. I will not be a judge of such things. So he drove them off. Then the crowd there turned on Sustine, the synagogue leader, and bit him in front of the proconsul. The Galileo showed no concern. Paul stayed in Corinth for some more time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed to Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Achillah. Before he sail, he had his hair cut off at St. Crach because of Bo he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Achillah. He himself went into the synagogue and risen with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, I will come back if it's God's will. Then he set sail to Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Freya, straining all the disciples. Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man with throughout knowledge of scripture. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and thought about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Achilla heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. When Apollos wanted to go to Achaea, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed, for he vigorously refuted his Jews' opponents in public debate, providing from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. It is interesting to note that Paul was a tent maker. So not only was he a former Pharisee, a prominent and influential religious leader who became a follower of Jesus, but he also worked with his hands to earn a living. How might God use you to share the love and hope of Jesus through your work, relationships, and daily interactions, just as he used Paul? I also noticed that Acts 18 mentions several others who joined Paul in sharing the good news of Jesus. Akiela and Priscilla, Celeste and Timothy, Polos. Following Jesus was never meant to be a solo journey. Sometimes we can feel alone in our faith at work, at school, or in our neighborhoods. Yet, God often placed other believers around us. People we might not even realize share our desire to follow Jesus and make him know. Have you experienced encouragement from another believer when you needed it the most? As you pray today, ask God to open your eyes to others who are following Jesus in your workplace, neighborhood, or community. Ask him to show you how you might encourage one another and serve together. Take a moment to reflect on today's passage. What words, phrases, or people stood out to you? One might God be inviting you to notice, learn, or do? Respond to Him in prayer and rest for a moment in His presence.

SPEAKER_00 8:00

Thank you for listening to the Faith Matters podcast. We hope this time has helped you slow down and create space to hear from God. Join us again for our next episode as we continue through the book of Acts together. Go in peace and may you continue to grow your life with Christ.