Pathways to Peace: Daily Reflections on Faith

WEDNESDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2024

TEXT: Acts 18:1-17

1. After this, he left from Athens and went to Corinth,

2. where he found a Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscila because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them,

3. and being of the same occupation, stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

4. He reasoned in the Synagogue every Sabbath and tried to persuade both Jews and Greeks.

5. When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with preaching the message and solemnly testified to the Jews that the Messiah is Jesus.

6. But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

7. So he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

8. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed the Lord, along with his household; and many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.

9. Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision, “Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent.

10. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you, because I have many people in this city.”

11. And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12. While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack against Paul and brought him to the judge’s bench.

13. “This man,” they said, “persuades people to worship God contrary to the law!”

14. And as Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of a crime or of moral evil, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you Jews.

15. But if these are questions about words, names, and your own law, see to it yourselves. I don’t want to be a judge of such things.”

16. So he drove them from the judge’s bench.

17. Then they all seized Sosthenes, the leader of the

(Holmans CS Holy Bible)

TOPIC: THE GOSPEL AND YOUR VOCATION

Today’s text showcases Apostle Paul’s journey from Athens to Corinth and how he met Aquila and his wife, Priscila. He met the couple and partnered with them in preaching the gospel which shows that one can use his handiwork to earn a living as well as preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Although you may face some dangers in the course of preaching the gospel, you should not be discouraged because you could win someone to the saving grace of Christ, just as it happened to Crispus.

Therefore, even amidst opposition, God is present and you should not be afraid. Because He is faithful in keeping His promises, God will protect you as you use your handiwork or vocation to partner with other Christians in preaching the gospel.

QUESTION: How are you using your handiwork or profession to preach the gospel?

PRAYER: O God, help me to use my job to partner with other Christians to preach Your word to glorify You, in Jesus name. Amen.