Not Alone
Scripture Reading — Acts 18
“I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
As you probably have noticed in his travels as a missionary, Paul regularly has companions who share in the work of bringing the good news of Jesus and starting churches. Paul is not alone.
In our reading for today we are reminded that the Lord is also always with Paul. At a time when Paul may have been especially needing encouragement, the Lord speaks to him in a vision. God notes that he is “with” Paul and will protect him. God also reveals that in Corinth there are many other believers in Christ. Paul is not alone.
As we read the book of Acts, we should take note of the people who work together with Paul. We sometimes find just a few words of background or history, but these people are crucial to the building up of the church. Aquila and Priscilla help Paul as fellow tentmakers even while they are refugees from Rome. A synagogue ruler, Crispus, and his household become believers in Jesus and surely help to lead in bringing others to believe and be baptized.
We are also introduced to a learned man named Apollos who knew some of the story of Jesus and needed to learn more. Priscilla and Aquila mentored him, and then Apollos became a traveling missionary too.
The gospel of Jesus is shared and spread by many people. The Lord has many people at work in his church.
Lord, thank you for building the church and calling all believers to the work of sharing the gospel. Empower us by your Spirit. Amen.
About the author — Julius T. Medenblik
Rev. Jul Medenblik is a former attorney who was called to pastoral ministry and became the founding pastor of a church in New Lenox, Illinois. He is currently serving as president of Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jul and his wife, Jackie, are blessed with a son, Joshua, and a daughter, Julianne.
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