Officially, today is the fortieth day after Jesus' resurrection. The Church should celebrate Jesus' Ascension. However, for pastoral reasons, many dioceses will celebrate on Sunday instead. Therefore, I will reflect on Jesus' Ascension this Sunday.
Paul's preaching in Athens failed miserably. He did not expect the Athenians to reject outright the teaching of resurrection. For Paul, resurrection meant a new lease of life. His conversion on the road to Damascus was already a resurrection. He literally saw a new light, a new meaning in his life. One did not need to wait until the end of the world to enjoy resurrection. Living in the grace of God was already his resurrection. However, the Athenians did not give themselves an opportunity to hear more from Paul. Paul must have left Athens unfulfilled. He went to Corinth (Acts 18:1).
In Corinth, Paul met Aquila and his wife Priscilla. Paul joined Aquila to work as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). Paul did not want to add burden on the disciples. He was proud of being able to support himself (1 Corinthians 4:12). In his epistles, Paul was able to instill his work ethics to the believers (e.g. 2 Thessalonians 3:9-10, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, Ephesians 4:28 etc.). Of course, we cannot demand the clergy to follow Paul's example nowadays. The situation has changed.
Though he met many oppositions from the Jews, Paul had never given up his fellow countrymen. He continued to persuade both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue of Corinth on Sabbaths (Acts 18:4). Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia to join him (Acts 18:5b). Here, we find Paul focused on the Jews to persuade them that Jesus was the Christ they had been expecting (Acts 18:5b). He was not successful.
And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." (Acts 18:6).
Did Paul mean what he had said? No. Later, we still find him preaching to the Jews in Ephesus (Acts 18:19).
In Corinth, Paul had another vision of the Lord who reassured him of his efforts. He had managed to convert and baptize many Corinthians. Among them was Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue (Acts 18:8).
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent;
for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9-10)
Paul stayed for one and a half year (Acts 18:11) before leaving for Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:18-19). Paul did not stay long in Ephesus but promised to return if it was God's will.
In Corinth, Paul met Aquila and his wife Priscilla. Paul joined Aquila to work as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). Paul did not want to add burden on the disciples. He was proud of being able to support himself (1 Corinthians 4:12). In his epistles, Paul was able to instill his work ethics to the believers (e.g. 2 Thessalonians 3:9-10, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, Ephesians 4:28 etc.). Of course, we cannot demand the clergy to follow Paul's example nowadays. The situation has changed.
Though he met many oppositions from the Jews, Paul had never given up his fellow countrymen. He continued to persuade both Jews and Greeks in the synagogue of Corinth on Sabbaths (Acts 18:4). Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia to join him (Acts 18:5b). Here, we find Paul focused on the Jews to persuade them that Jesus was the Christ they had been expecting (Acts 18:5b). He was not successful.
And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." (Acts 18:6).
Did Paul mean what he had said? No. Later, we still find him preaching to the Jews in Ephesus (Acts 18:19).
In Corinth, Paul had another vision of the Lord who reassured him of his efforts. He had managed to convert and baptize many Corinthians. Among them was Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue (Acts 18:8).
And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent;
for I am with you, and no man shall attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city." (Acts 18:9-10)
Paul stayed for one and a half year (Acts 18:11) before leaving for Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:18-19). Paul did not stay long in Ephesus but promised to return if it was God's will.
A few names were mentioned in Corinth. Titius Justus in whose house Paul stayed (Acts 18:7). Crispus the ruler of synagogue (Acts 18:8). After his conversion, Crispus might have given up the post of the ruler of synagogue. Sosthenes took it up. Unfortunately, Sosthenes was beaten up by the Jews before Gallio, the proconsul (Acts 18:17). Paul called Sosthenes his brother in the very first verse of his First Epistle to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 1:1). Sosthenes must have worked closely with Paul in Corinth since the beating incident. Or perhaps Sosthenes had been converted and working closely with Paul. Consequently, he was beaten up.
Dear Lord, You have many people in Corinth. I am sure You have not given up the rest. May we work more closely with You to bring salvation to our countrymen. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment