Kisah Para Rasul 18 (EVD)

Paul in Corinth

1Later, Paul left Athens and went to the city of Corinth.

2In Corinth Paul met a Jewish man named Aquila. Aquila was born in the country of Pontus. But Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, had recently moved {to Corinth} from Italy. They left Italy because Claudius commanded that all Jews must leave Rome. Paul went to visit Aquila and Priscilla.

3They were tentmakers, the same as Paul. So Paul stayed with them and worked with them.

4Every Sabbath day Paul talked with the Jews and Greeks in the synagogue. Paul tried to persuade these people {to believe in Jesus}.

5Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia to Paul in Corinth. After this, Paul used all his time telling people the Good News. He showed the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

6But the Jews there would not accept Paul’s teaching. They said some very bad things. So Paul shook off the dust from his clothes. He said to the Jews, “If you are not saved, it will be your own fault! I have done all I can do! After this, I will go only to non-Jewish people!”

7Paul left the synagogue and moved into the home of Titius Justus. This man worshiped the true God. His house was next to the synagogue.

8Crispus was the leader of that synagogue. Crispus and all the people living in his house believed in the Lord (Jesus). Many other people in Corinth also listened to Paul. They too believed and were baptized.

9During the night, Paul had a vision. The Lord said to him, “Don’t be afraid! Continue talking to people and don’t stop!

10Iam with you. No one will be able to hurt you. Many of my people are in this city.”

11Paul stayed there for a year and a half, teaching God’s truth to the people.

Paul Is Brought Before Gallio

12Gallio became the governor of the country of Achaia. At that time, some of the Jews came together against Paul. They took Paul to the court.

13The Jews said to Gallio, “This man is teaching people to worship God in a way that is against our {Jewish} law!”

14Paul was ready to say something, but Gallio spoke to the Jews. Gallio said, “I would listen to you Jews if you were complaining about a bad crime or some wrong.

15But the things you Jews are saying are only questions about words and names—arguments about your own {Jewish} law. So you must solve this problem yourselves. I don’t want to be a judge of these things!”

16Then Gallio made them leave the court.

17Then they all grabbed Sosthenes. (Sosthenes was {now} the leader of the synagogue.) They beat Sosthenes before the court. But this did not bother Gallio.

Paul Returns to Antioch

18Paul stayed with the brothers (believers) for many days. Then he left and sailed for Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were also with him. At Cenchrea, Paul cut off his hair. {This showed that} he had made a promise (vow) to God.

19Then they went to the city of Ephesus. This is where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. While Paul was in Ephesus, he went into the synagogue and talked with the Jews.

20The Jews asked Paul to stay longer, but he refused.

21Paul left them and said, “I will come back to you again if God wants me to.” And so Paul sailed away from Ephesus.

22Paul went to the city of Caesarea. Then he went and said hello to the church (group of believers) {in Jerusalem}. After that, Paul went to the city of Antioch.

23Paul stayed in Antioch for a while. Then he left Antioch and went through the countries of Galatia and Phrygia. Paul traveled from town to town in these countries. He made all the followers {of Jesus} stronger.

Apollos in Ephesus and Achaia (Corinth)

24A Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. Apollos was born in the city of Alexandria. He was an educated man. He knew very much about the Scriptures.

25Apollos had been taught about the Lord (Jesus). Apollos was always very excited when he talked to people about Jesus. The things Apollos taught about Jesus were right. But the only baptism that Apollos knew about was the baptism that John taught.

26Apollos began to speak very boldly in the synagogue. Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak. They took him to their home and helped him understand the way of God better.

27Apollos wanted to go to the country of Achaia. So the brothers {in Ephesus} helped him. They wrote a letter to the followers {of Jesus in Achaia}. In the letter they asked these followers to accept Apollos. These followers {in Achaia} had believed in Jesus because of God’s grace (kindness). When Apollos went there, he helped them very much.

28He argued very strongly against the Jews before all the people. Apollos clearly proved that the Jews were wrong. He used the Scriptures and showed that Jesus is the Christ.

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