Acts Chapters $$17, 18,$$ and $$19$$ Analysis and Biblical Interpretation Principles of Biblical Interpretation

Paul's Interaction with the Epicureans and Stoics in Acts $17$

• Dr. Harley Howard identifies the context of Paul’s transition from Acts chapter $17$ to chapter $18$, noting that Paul was recently dealing with the Epicureans and the Stoics.

• Paul’s primary message to these groups was that their beliefs were incorrect and that they needed to understand the true, living God rather than giving themselves over to idolatry.

• The Approach to False Doctrine: Dr. Howard emphasizes that the correct way to deal with false doctrine is by providing the truth, rather than arguing over the specific points of the false doctrine itself. Paul provides the truth regarding God as the creator and sustainer of life, which inherently attacks the belief systems of both Epicureans and Stoics.

• Quoting Secular Poets: Paul quotes from local poets to establish a point of contact: the fact that humans are the "offspring of God."

  • Dr. Howard clarifies that this is not a "salvific" statement (dealing with salvation).

  • It acknowledges that even the thinkers of the time recognized a supreme creator and sustainer of life.

  • Paul uses this to mean we are God's children in the sense that He is our creator and the supreme father of all mankind; we are the creation.

• The Inutility of Idolatry (Acts $17:29$): Since we are the offspring of God, we should not think the Godhead is like gold, silver, or stone engraved by man’s art. If we are God’s offspring, God must be the creator, and man-made idols are therefore useless.

• The Command to Repent (Acts $17:30$): God "winked at" times of ignorance in the past but now commands all men everywhere to repent. Failure to turn from sin, disobedience, and rebellion results in death.

• The Day of Judgment (Acts $17:31$): God has appointed a specific day to judge the world in righteousness. This judgment will be conducted through the "man whom He hath ordained" (Jesus Christ), and God gave assurance of this by raising Him from the dead.

Responses to the Gospel in Athens and Departure

• The Twofold Response (Acts $17:32$):

  • Mockery: Banter, laughter, scorn, rejection, and sneering.

  • Procrastination: Some said, "We will hear thee again of this matter."

• Paul’s Departure (Acts $17:33$): Paul departed from among them. Dr. Howard notes there is no time but the present, and since the field was barren, Paul moved on.

• Converts in Athens (Acts $17:34$): Despite rejection, God still saves. Specific individuals "clave unto him and believed":

  • Dionysius the Areopagite.

  • A woman named Damaris.

  • Others with them.

• Dr. Howard notes that these two named figures are never mentioned in Scripture again, yet their impact was significant enough for God to record their names.

• Administrative Guidance for Pastors: Dr. Howard advises against trying to be "cute," "hip," or "contemporary." Instead, one should give out the Word of God and focus on those who will walk with Christ rather than those who walk away.

Paul’s Ministry in Corinth (Acts $18$)

• Arrival and Connections (Acts $18:1-3$):

  • Paul departed Athens and came to Corinth.

  • He found Aquila (born in Pontus) and his wife Priscilla, who had recently come from Italy because Emperor Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome.

  • Occupation: They were "tentmakers" or leather crafters. Paul shared this craft and stayed/worked with them.

• Synagogue Ministry (Acts $18:4$): Paul reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks. His ministry had a tangible effect on those who heard and responded.

The Responsibility of the Hearer vs. the Teacher

• Dr. Howard addresses the effectiveness of ministry and the tendency for teachers to take blame when people respond incorrectly to the truth.

• The Principle: The teacher is responsible for teaching what God has said; the hearer is responsible for their response.

• Scriptural Proof ($1 \text{ Thessalonians } 2:13$): Paul thanked God that when the Thessalonians received the word, they received it not as the word of men, but as the Word of God, which "effectually worketh" in those who believe.

• If a teacher has faithfully taught the word, they have fulfilled their requirement. The hearer is accountable for what they do with that knowledge.

Conflict and Transition to the Gentiles in Corinth

• The Arrival of Silas and Timothy (Acts $18:5$): Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia. Paul was "pressed in the spirit," engulfed and infused with the Gospel, compelling him to testify that Jesus was Christ.

• Rejection and Symbolic Judgment (Acts $18:6$): When the Jews opposed him and blasphemed, Paul shook his raiment and said: "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles."

  • Shaking garments was a sign of judgment.

  • Paul was free from false guilt regarding their rejection.

• The Mandate to "Move On": Dr. Howard strongly advocates for leaving "dead" or stagnant situations where the truth is constantly resisted. He suggests that if individuals or churches refuse to change, the preacher should move to "green pastures" where hearts are open.

The Establishment of the Corinthian Church

• New Location (Acts $18:7-8$): Paul entered the house of a man named Justus, a worshiper of God whose house was next door to the synagogue.

• Key Converts:

  • Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed with his whole household.

  • Many Corinthians believed and were baptized ($1 \text{ Corinthians } 1:14$).

• The Impact: Converting the chief ruler of the synagogue was a significant shock to the Jewish community. While Athens was a city of culture, Corinth was a city of vice and sex (worship of Diana/Artemis).

Divine Vision and Protection in Corinth

• The Vision (Acts $18:9-10$): The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision at night: "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city."

• Paul’s State of Mind ($1 \text{ Corinthians } 2:1-3$): Paul admitted he came to Corinth in "weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." He was intimidated by the rich and affluent Corinthians.

• Outcome (Acts $18:11$): Paul remained in Corinth for $1$ year and $6$ months, teaching the Word of God. Dr. Howard highlights that teaching the Bible is the primary and main function of the church.

Legal Proceedings Before Gallio

• The Charges (Acts $18:12-13$): Gallio was the deputy (proconsul) of Achaia. The Jews made insurrection and brought Paul to the judgment seat, claiming he persuaded men to worship God contrary to the law.

• Gallio’s Ruling (Acts $18:14-16$): Before Paul could speak, Gallio addressed the Jews. He stated that if it were a matter of "wicked lewdness" or a crime, he would listen. However, since it was a matter of names, words, and religious law, he refused to be a judge. He drove them from the judgment seat, effectively ruling that Christianity was not a crime.

• Sosthenes (Acts $18:17$): The Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue (who presumably led the rebellion), and beat him. Gallio ignored this. Dr. Howard notes that Sosthenes later became a follower of Christ ($1 \text{ Corinthians } 1:1$).

Travels to Ephesus and the Ministry of Apollos

• Departure (Acts $18:18-21$): Paul stayed a while longer, then sailed for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila. He shored his head in Cenchrea due to a vow (the specific nature of which is speculative).

• Ephesus: Paul reasoned in the synagogue. They asked him to stay, but he declined, promising to return if God willed, as he had to keep a feast in Jerusalem. He left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus.

• Apollos (Acts $18:24-28$):

  • Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria, described as an eloquent man and "mighty in the scriptures."

  • He was fervent in spirit and taught diligently, but his knowledge was limited (knowing only the baptism of John).

  • Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and "expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."

  • Apollos subsequently went to Achaia, where he mightily convinced the Jews publicly, using scriptures to show that Jesus was Christ.

Biblical "Dos and Don'ts" for Interpretation

• Dos:

  1. Read exactly what the text says (e.g., the Bible does not say "spare the rod, spoil the child"; it says "he that spareth or his rod hateth his son").

  2. Interpret meaning based on what the text says (context, historical, social, and ethnic settings are essential).

  3. Apply the Bible based on proper interpretation.

  4. Allow the Bible to be its own interpreter (grasp the entire Bible).

• Don'ts:

  1. Never interpret based on denominational doctrine or emphasis (there were no denominations when the Bible was written).

  2. Never attempt application based on feelings, emotions, or personal experience.

  3. Never attempt to understand without diligent study (Paul said "study," not "speed read").

  4. Never attempt to understand without the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s Return to Ephesus and the Twelve Disciples (Acts $19$)

• Defining "Disciple": A disciple is a "learner" or one who follows another's teaching. The word is not exclusive to Christianity (e.g., the Pharisees and John the Baptist had disciples; Jesus had false disciples).

• The Twelve Men (Acts $19:1-3$):

  • Paul found certain disciples in Ephesus and asked: "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believe?" (or "having believed").

  • They replied: "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."

  • These were disciples of John the Baptist, still living in the transitional period between the Old Testament/John’s ministry and the New Covenant.

• Re-Baptism (Acts $19:4-5$): Paul explained that John's baptism was of repentance, pointing toward Christ. Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

• Reception of the Spirit (Acts $19:6-7$): Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied. There were about $12$ men in total.

Theology of Tongues in the Book of Acts

• Dr. Howard outlines three specific instances of tongues in Acts ($2, 10, 19$) and establishes rules for their use:

  1. They were always known languages, never "ecstatic gibberish."

  2. They were a supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit (a gift, not a learned trait; apostles did not teach people how to do it).

  3. The speakers had no prior indication they would do it.

• Purposes of Authentication:

  • Acts $2$: To speak to Jewish multitudes; authentication of the Gospel context.

  • Acts $10$: To authenticate to Jews that the Gospel had reached the Gentiles.

  • Acts $19$: To authenticate that these specific disciples of John were now genuine followers of Christ.

• Conclusion on Tongues: Tongues were never the central focus; the resurrection of Jesus Christ was. Tongues should not be used for spiritual elevation or as a single emphasis in a church.