How does Paul's journey to Corinth in Acts 18:1 inspire your evangelism efforts? A single verse, a big move “After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.” (Acts 18:1) • A literal, historical relocation—Paul really boarded a boat or walked the road and entered a bustling, immoral port city. • One verse captures a decisive step of obedience that set the stage for eighteen months of ministry (Acts 18:11). • The Spirit‐directed shift reminds us that evangelism often begins with a willingness to change location, schedule, or comfort zone. Why Corinth? A strategic gospel outpost • Commercial crossroads: traders, sailors, athletes—people who would carry the gospel onward. • Religious melting pot: temples to Aphrodite and Apollo; fertile ground for proclaiming the true God (Acts 17:23-24 prepares us for 18:1). • Moral darkness: the city’s reputation for vice underscored the urgency of light (John 3:19). Takeaway: Target places where influence flows—campuses, business hubs, online forums. A heart prompted by obedience • Paul “left Athens” because he had completed the witness God assigned there (Acts 17:32-34). • He “went to Corinth” without waiting for ideal circumstances. • Your evangelism gains momentum when you treat each nudge from God’s Word and Spirit as non-negotiable (James 1:22). Work and witness go hand in hand • In Corinth, Paul made tents with Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:3). • Marketplace credibility opened doors for gospel conversations (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Practical step: View your workplace or classroom as a mission field, not merely a paycheck or grade. Teamwork multiplies reach • God connected Paul with Aquila and Priscilla before he preached a sermon in Corinth. • Soon Silas and Timothy arrived, freeing Paul to devote himself “exclusively to preaching” (Acts 18:5). • Modern parallel: Pray for partners; train them; share the load (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Courage sustained by Christ’s promise • When opposition mounted, the Lord told Paul, “Do not be afraid; keep speaking…for I am with you” (Acts 18:9-10). • Confidence flows from Christ’s presence, not crowd response (Matthew 28:20). Application: Anchor your boldness in who goes with you, not who listens to you. Principles to fuel your evangelism today • Move when God says move—even one verse’s worth of obedience matters. • Choose strategic venues where diverse people gather. • Embrace everyday labor as a platform for witness. • Cultivate gospel partnerships; nobody reaches a city alone. • Draw courage from Christ’s pledge of continual presence. |
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