In the late 1980’s, a man who claimed to be a converted Jew travelled across South Africa preaching a peculiar gospel. I mentioned some of this before. He arrived in the City of Welkom in the Free State demanding the right to preach in various Churches. Those I know of who refused him the right were a Word of Faith Church and a Presbyterian Church. In his anger for being refused, he “prophesied” that when the Presbyterians baptize infants the water would turn into blood, and amongst other outburst, he prophesied that the city, which is a gold mining city with many underground tunnels deep underground, would fall into a hole. His anger tipped on his departure where he shook the “dust” off his clothing and removed his shoes doing the same thing. The marks of a true prophet is that his prophesies come true. None of his did. A few years later it was found that he swindled the owners (whom I personally knew) out of their holiday home in the Swiss Alps. I tell this story because of what Paul did in protest to the Jews, though he had every right to do so.
Ac 18:5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
1) Doing ministry full time. Before we saw that Paul was a tentmaker, supporting himself as he ministered. His new friends Aquila and Priscilla were also tentmakers.
Ac 18:5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching.
(1) Did he stop working because Silas and Timothy could support him or was there another reason?
(2) Did Aquila and Priscilla support Paul? This is likely, but we don’t know.
(3) A third possibility seems to be him being supported as a missionary by other Churches.
2Co 11:7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
Look at verse 9 … “the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.” Whilst the first two are possibilities, it seems as though this last suggestion is the reason Paul was able to stop working and concentrate fully on the work of preaching. As we have said before, a tent making ministry is to be commended, but a fulltime pastor is preferable. The idea behind:
Mt 6:24 “No one can serve two masters”
Is true. Divided loyalties hampers the spread of the Gospel.
2) Ministry was Christocentric.
Ac 18:5 testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
Paul’s ministry and theology kept Jesus Christ central all the time. The older I get, the more astounded I am by the fact the all of Scripture, from page one in Genesis to the last page of Revelation carries one message and that message is all about Jesus, God’s rescue plan for man. How some preachers and Churches find so many other matters to preach about in the Bible amazes me. Is this the reason there are so few real Christians (born again) in Churches? Pray that your Church will remain Christocentric.
3) Ministry drew sharp rejection. Many pastors have related stories of how they had to endure abuse because they preached the Gospel. I found this out in my second pastorate. I preached the Gospel (God’s Salvation Message) and people complained and left the Church. This happened in a way to Paul as he preached Jesus in the synagogue.
Ac 18:6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive.
Notice two words here …
(i) Opposed. This word means … “to range in battle against” with the idea of protecting oneself from what was being preached by Paul. There was an aggressive element here.
(ii) Abusive. As used here it means they were reproachful … rejecting what Paul was saying most vigorously. Note that they were not insulting Paul! They were insulting his message. They were blaspheming against Jesus! Where we never do ministry seeking to anger people, yet some will be angered severely because their ingrain hatred for God and His Truth must be resisted and rejected by them at all costs!
4) Ministry to Jews came to an end. The Jews aggression against the Gospel caused Paul to bring his ministry to them to an end in the most dramatic manner
Ac 18:6 … he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
In the most vivid manner, like an Old Testament prophet would behave demonstratively, he shook out his clothing. This is significant because what he was declaring is that because they blasphemed Jesus, he did not even want any dust from their synagogue on his clothing at all. This act was a final break with synagogue and Jewish ministry. He closed the chapter and the door on actively ministering to them. Look at what he says … “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” You reject God’s Savior, you reject the Gospel, you refuse God love at Calvary … you will now face your Maker on the final day … the Judgement Day and have to defend yourself. Instead of being covered in Jesus’ Blood … your sinful blood shall declare you guilty! I have discharged my duty to Jesus now you can face Him as His enemy! From now onwards his focus would be on gathering the elect Gentiles into the Kingdom of God. Jews refuse … go and call the Gentiles. There comes a time in our ministering to people who are hard hearted, blasphemous and abusive to the Gospel that we stop and move on. They cannot say they did not know. Our duty has been fulfilled. Now their blood is upon their head when they meet Jesus as their Judge.
5) Ministry in a new venue. We know the saying … “one door closes and another door opens.” Literally this is what happened with Paul. The synagogue was closed to him so he went next door. Not down the road or to the next suburb … no … next door.
Ac 18:7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door.
God has always a plan! Remember this when you run into doors closed for the Gospel.
6) Ministry resulted in the establishment of a Church. Look at the door that opened:
Ac 18:7 went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
A new Church was started in the house of Titius Justus. He was a worshiper of God. Crispus and his complete house believed. Look at who he was. He was the one appointed by the elders of the synagogue to care for the buildings, contents and arrange the worship services. Plus many Corinthians believed and were incorporated into the Church through baptism. Faithfulness to the Gospel will draw people to Jesus … even important people and some with resources.
Father God, mercifully help You Church to be Christocentric for we know that when we declare Jesus to the nations, people shall believe and be saved and You shall receive all the glory. Amen.