Christian History & Missions | Lecture 8 : BC201-CH&M-20260902

Good morning everyone. How are all of you this morning? >> Good. >> Ready for the class? >> Yes. >> On revival, moves and and visitation of God. Okay. So, which uh missionary journey we're doing of Paul? Second missionary journey. Okay. So let's begin with a word of prayer and then we'll do a small recap and then we'll continue. Who's going to lead us in prayer? >> Thank you heavenly father. Thank you father for this time you have given us Lord Jesus. Now we are going to read the Bible Lord Father. Whatever we are going to learn Lord Father bless our teachers. Give us wisdom, knowledge and the spirit of understanding. Lord Father whatever we are they are teaching Lord Father open our hearts and minds Lord Jesus that we can receive each and everything Lord Father and we can apply into our daily lives Lord Father in [snorts] Jesus name we all this pray amen >> amen so Paul's uh second missionary journey can put on the second slide please okay so we see that he stands starts from Antioch of Syria the starting point of the journey uh where Paul and Silas set out after parting ways with Barnabas. Then they go to Derby and Lististra. We read about this. You can see Derby and Listra there. Okay. We read about this in Acts chapter 16 verse1. You all didn't bring your mobiles to see. No, both of you. Okay. And then Paul meets Timothy there um at Lististra and then takes him along. Okay. Then they go through Pyia. You can see Pyia there. Uh no, there's no Pygeeria. Okay. So, Pyeria and um Galatia, the region of Galatia. You can see Galatia there on the the right hand side top. Okay. Um where they strengthen the churches and the Holy Spirit prevented them from going into Asia. And then do you see they go all the way to Trrowass? Trrowaz. Can you see Trrowass? on the map. Yes. Okay. Can you make that uh can it's it's big for all of you to see? Yes. What happened? You're not able to see. >> Internet is not working. Okay. Then goes to Trrowaz. Okay. Where Paul receives um a vision uh the Macedonian vision and also we know that Luke joins the team there. So there are a lot of uh when Roo is writing the book of acts he's uses a lot of passages where he mentions we where he's talking about Paul uh Silas and um also you know um Luke uh joining the team there. Okay. Um and then we see they go to Neopololis. Okay. Uh from Trrowass which is a seap port of Philippi. Can you see Philippi? Yeah. Philippi uh and a place called Neopolis which is a landing uh place in Macedonia. So that whole region is Macedonia and they go to the seapport of Philippi. Okay. And at Philippi um look at slide turn to put slide three please. Okay. Slide three where we see Philippi uh you know they go to the river place and they meet some ladies there. They share the gospel and Lydia and her whole family convert um and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And we also see that in Philippi um slide four Paul and Silas are imprisoned. Okay. and there's an earthquake and there is the conversion of the Philippian uh jailer. Okay. So that is what we see in um happening in the city of uh Philippi. Okay. And um going back to slide two, you can go back to slide two. So from Philippi uh they go to Ampopolis and Apollinia that is they just pass through the cities and then they come to Thessalonica. Okay, they come to Thessalonica. So go up to slide five please. Okay, slide five. See Thessalonica uh where they go and preach in the synagogues. Okay. Uh for three Sabbaths and um we see that um you know people receive um the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit is very powerfully manifested among them. But also there are people who oppose uh Paul and Silas and they attack them. Okay, they try attacking them. They go to Jason's house um and they uh pro they claim that Paul is proclaiming another king called uh Judas. Okay. So that is where we stopped yesterday. So if you can stay on slide five now. Um so in Thessalonica we see that just a minute please. I'll just come back to my notes. Yeah. Yeah. So we uh we saw how he ministered there. Okay. To the power of the Holy Spirit. Um so if you read 1 Thessalonians chapter 1:es 4 and 5, Paul is writing to the church and he's saying when he came to them he says our gospel did not come to you in word only but also in power and the holy spirit and in much assurance. That means the Thessalonians received the gospel not just in words but in power and in the spirit showing that revival is spiritdriven. Okay. Uh and we also saw that when Paul was ministering there he also worked and supported himself. Okay. Uh we we read 1 Thessalonians chapter 2:9 where Paul says I labored hard toiled hard night and day. Okay. And um um but we also read in Philippians 4:16 that Paul mentions how the church supported him uh financially and in partnership in his ministry and um we looked at what are the lessons that we can learn from this. Okay. Now from here Paul and Cyrus they moved to Berea. Okay. and Aans. Um so you can see your the slide the picture there Bria and Aans. Okay. So they move from Thessalonica to Beria. Uh first Beria they moved to that place where they face opposition again. So let's see what happens in Bera. Uh so can somebody please read Acts chapter 17 10-15 please? Act 17 10-15. Who's ready? >> When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of Jesus. These were more >> than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness and searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed and also a note and uh also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away to go to the sea. But both Silas and Timothy remained there. So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed and they departed. Amen. >> Amen. So here we see the Berians uh note here that the Berians were very ready to receive the word but what did they do? Even though they were ready to receive the word, what did they do? ah that they were very diligently examining the scripture to see what Paul is saying is the truth. Unlike some in Thessalonica who resisted the message, the Berians they welcomed the teaching but they tested everything against the word of God. Okay. So this teaches us a very important principle that true faith is not blind acceptance. Right? So even when people are preaching and teaching new things to you, you should not blindly accept it. But you should always be in a place where you are looking up every new teaching where whether it is in accordance with God's word. Okay. So true faith is not blind acceptance but a willingness to measure every teaching by God's word. And what was the result of this? What was the result? What happened in Berea? What happened in Bera? Come on. We just now read >> many >> many believed including prominent Greek men and women. Look at verse 12. What happened as a result of them receiving the word with readiness and searching the scripture daily? What happened? they believed and uh also not a few of the Greeks prominent men and women as well. Okay. So uh it was not only the the few people but also it was not uh uh many pro not only just Greeks but also prominent men and women. Okay. However, opposition again followed Paul. the Jews from Thessalonica. Go back to the slide number two please. So we see that Paul had gone previously to Thessalonica. Okay. So the Jews from Thessalonica they hear that Paul is in Bera. So you can see that yellow line right connecting Thessalonica and Beria. So they come to Yeah. So they come to Berea and from Thessalonica the Jews and they stir up trouble again. Therefore Paul forcing Paul to move to Athenans. Can you see Aans? It's right down here. Aka below Aka is Aans very close to the the the box on the left hand side bottom. Okay. So there is Aans um and Paul goes to Aans while Silas and Timothy remain in Berea to continue the work in Berea. So we see that in each location despite the challenges and the opposition even when they face imprisonment Paul and Silas press forward faithfully and continue to preach and spread the gospel. Okay. Now where is Paul? Aans. Okay. So let's look at what happens to Paul in Athens. So can somebody please read Acts chapter 17 16- 23 please? Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the gentile worshippers and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Then certain Epicurian Stoic philosophers encountered him and some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said he seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection and they took him and brought him to the Aropagus saying may we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak for you're bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore, we want to know what these things mean for all the Aenians and the foreigners who are present their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. >> So Paul is now in an okay and it was the most important city of that time an uh an was a center of philosophy. Okay. So there were many great thinkers like Socrates, Aristoh total and Plato great philosophers who were part of an uh the people at Aens were very intellectual people. Uh you know they they they they were always uh you know spending time in intellectual debate, logic, reasoning um and you know they they tried to prove one another's point. Okay. It was also a great city or a hub for art, science and politics. So very intellectual, learned people who were reasoning, understanding, wanting to know more. Okay. Atens was also not just intellectual but they were also very deeply religious people. Okay. If you read Acts 17:16, it tells us that Paul was when he was in what happened. Acts 17:16, >> his spirit was provoked. >> He was provoked in his spirit. Why? >> Because he saw that the city was full of >> idols. Okay. So historically, Aans was said to have more idols than any other city in Greece. Okay. And um a Roman courtier, his name is Gas, he even said that it's easier to find a god in Aan than a man. See, it's easier to find a god in the city of Aan than find a man. You will not find it's difficult to find a man but you'll find a god in every nuke and corner. Okay. And the city was named after the goddess Athenia. The idol worship was a source of worshiping her was a source of pride for the people at Aens. Now Paul saw this and he recognized both an opportunity to share the gospel and he was also feeling the burden of sharing the gospel there. Okay. Now the Aans had a reputation, the people of Aens had a reputation of being a city of or the the city of Aans had a reputation of being a city of art, science, religion and philosophy. And um so we see that Paul engaged people in a way that was very relevant to their culture. So we we saw that even yesterday, right? Paul when um he goes to synagogue he engages with the Jews. Okay. He also circumcises Timothy because Timothy is a Jew so he can minister. He goes to the riverside at um um uh and you know at Lististra and he sees um sorry where was that? The riverside was um yeah the Philippi sorry he goes to Philippi and there he goes to the the meeting place and he sees these pe women you know meeting for prayer and he ministers to uh them. So we see that Paul you know wherever he goes he relates to people based on their culture, their education, uh their intellect, um the way of thinking, their way of um reasoning that is very very um important. Okay. So one minute. Yeah. Where am I? Okay. So here he engages people in ways that are relevant to their culture. uh he spoke to the Jews in the synagogue. He also spoke to the god-fearing Gentiles and also he goes to the agora. Now what is the agora in an Agora is a public marketplace where political, cultural and philosophical discussions took place. Okay. So if you had in Paul's time go to city of ans you know you will find people in the agora that is in the marketplace and there will be people some group of people having political discussions some people having cultural discussions some people having philosophical discussions. So basically people were more involved in having a lot of debates discussions and reasoning that took place. So we see Paul intentionally going to strategic places where people met synagogues or the riverside here in inance. He goes to Agora. Okay. So that he can uh you know reason with them. He can also share the gospel. Now if you what was read to us from acts chapter 17 we see that in a Paul encountered two main group of philosophers. Who were they? the Epicurans and the Stoics. Okay, so if you look at your slide, it says Epicurans believed everything happened by chance. God was very distant and achieved goal was to pursue pleasure while avoiding pain. The Stoics believed in divine will, you know, um they shared a divine spark and they patronized self-control and harmony with nature. Okay, so these are two separate world views that shaped much of the thinking of the people at an wisely engages with both groups, you know, with their understanding, their beliefs and yet he was able to present the truth of Jesus Christ to them in their context, in their understanding, in their philosophical reasoning. Okay, we also see that Paul was at the Aeropagus. If you can go on to the slide seven please. Okay. He went to the Aeropagus. Now the uh people at Aens were very eager to hear something new. They always was they were always looking to learn something new. So they since Paul was speaking something new they brought Paul uh to the Aeropagus. And Aeropagus is a prominent council uh where leaders made judicial, cultural, educational and religious discussion. It was like more like a parliament house, okay? Where they made a lot of judicial, cultural, educational and religious decisions. So let's see what happens uh in the aeropagus. So you can read verses 22 and verse 23 please. What? How does Paul address uh what does he address in the Aeropagus? >> Then Paul stood in the midst of the Aeropagus and said, "Men of athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious. For as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription." Amen. >> What was the inscription? >> Read it. >> Okay. Okay. Oh, sorry. To the unknown god. Therefore, the one whom you worship without knowing him I proclaim to you. >> Yes. >> Amen. >> Amen. Thank you. So Paul begins by acknowledging their religiosity. See he starts from their culture, their understanding, their religious background. Instead of attacking their idolatry, saying, "Hey, what is this? There all idols. What are you woriing? All of these." Instead of attacking their idolatry, he uses their own culture to build the bridge for the gospel. Okay? And he points to their altar which says to the unknown >> God. >> God. See how smart he is. He uses that and he says, "Hey, I've come to declare to you and reveal to you this God who you say is unknown God. Who is this God? This God is actually not unknown. He is Jesus Christ the risen Lord. So you see how he is so very carefully smartly starting from their understanding from their culture their religious understanding and sharing the gospel. Okay. So what is the response uh to Paul's um preaching and teaching? Look at uh Acts chapter 17 32-34. What does it say? What happens? Acts 17:32-34. Can you read? Who's reading? Give it to her. Uh yeah, let her read. Yeah. And when they heard of the resurrection of the death, some mocked while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." So po So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed among the Dionosis and aoposis the aeropagite. >> Aeropagite. A woman named Damares and other with him. >> Okay. So what was the reaction of the crowd? Some mocked Paul. Okay. When he spoke of the resurrection. Others what did they do? They expressed interest. They wanted to know more. And some like the member of the council his name is D uh Dionis the aeropagite he believes and also woman called dearis and they follow Christ. So we see that Paul did not water down the gospel or make it more acceptable. But in the context he uses the context, the religious context, cultural context, but he boldly preaches the full truth even if it meant rejection. Right? But yet God opened the doors even among the leaders, a member of the council, a leader accepted Christ. uh and we see that even among the aans leaders the gospel took root. So this is a powerful lesson that we can learn today that you know we can use wisdom we can engage with culture thoughtfully but never compromise the truth of the gospel. We need to preach the truth of the gospel in the way it is in the pure uncompromised way and we trust the Holy Spirit to touch the hearts knowing um that you know their responses will vary. There will some people will mock laugh some people will not believe some people will believe and accept the gospel. So what are some of the key takeaways from this segment that we learned from Birya and from Aans? What are some of the things that we can and understand? Come on. Huh? People will mock the gospel but doesn't mean that you stop. Okay. sharing the gospel understanding. >> Yes. Before you share the gospel, understand the cultural, religious background so that you can minister to them effectively. Yes. Despite opposition in Thessalonica, Paul continues to preach and strengthen the churches. So we see revival is ongoing. It requires a lot of diligence and followup. We also see that people in Birya uh like like the people in b uh in birya we also believers should examine scripture carefully understand it and confirm the truth. Okay. uh we see the in Paul models you know adapting the gospel presentation to the audience wherever he goes even in a you know he adapts the gospel presentation to their context but he maintains the integrity of the gospel he does not compromise on the truth of the gospel and whether in the synagogue whether in the marketplace or the city council you know every situation Paul uses it to proclaim Jesus Christ. Okay. Um so we see that not everyone will respond positively but God will work through those who are ready to accept him. Okay. And we also see that in Paul's missionary journey that he demonstrates sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and also is aware of the strategic locations that he can spread the gospel. And if you look the the gospel is being spread to strategic major cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, you know, Birya, an all major big cities that God is taking him and the Holy Spirit is working. Okay, any questions so far? Any questions? Okay. Now from Aan's Paul moves to another very important seapport um city called Corinth. So if you go back to slide two okay you can see there Corinth uh is there and Corinth okay all major seapport cities near the Aian Sea. Okay. Um, so he goes to Corinth which is another major strategic seapport city. So we can go now to slide number eight. Okay. So after his ministry in Athens, Paul left to Corenth. He also sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to strengthen the believers there. Okay. So let's uh look at what you know happens in Corenth. uh the Paul's ministry in Corinth is recorded for us in acts 18 1-17 and Corinth is another major city where God uses to establish a strong church through Paul's effort. So can somebody please read uh Acts chapter 18 verses 1-17 please who has a mic read dear read I'll help you read after those things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corenth and he found a certain Jew named Akula born in Pontos who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because uh >> Claudes >> Claudes had commanded all the Jews to depart from Romy and he came Rome and he came to them. So because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked for by occupion they were 10 m and he disowned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded >> persuade both Jews and Greeks >> slowly slowly slowly Silas and Timoth uh Timothy had come from Macedonia. Paul was compelled by the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus is is the Christ. But when they oppressed opposed opposed him to me, >> he shook he shook his garment and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own head and am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles. And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named Justice, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. Then uh Cry Cryus, the rule of the synagogue, >> believed on the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized. Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision. Do not be afraid but speak and do not keep silent for I am with you and no one will attack you to hurt you for I have many people in the city. And he uh continued there uh six there year and six months teaching the word of God among them. Now when Dalio was pro pro >> proconsel of Aia and Jew and Jews with one a crowd rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat saying this fellow >> persuades >> persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Galio said to the Jews, if it if it there if it were a master of wrong matter of wrongdoing or weakened crimes, "Oh Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. But if it is a question of word and name of your own law, look to it yourself. For I do not want to be judge of such matter and be draw them from the them from the judgment >> judgment seat. Then all the Greeks took Sustinis the rule uh the ruler of the synagogue and beat him before the judgment seat. But Galo took no notice of those things. Amen. Thank you. So in Corenth Paul uh no keep the slide please. Uh eight. Yeah. Uh uh in Corinth Paul meets Aquilla and Priscilla who like him were Jews. Okay. And they also had the same business or they share the same trade. And what were they? Tent makers. Okay. And this meeting was very providential. Uh why? Because Corinth was uh one of the strategic port cities. Okay. And it was a there was a lot of trade happening. Merchants from across Asia and beyond you know would come to Corenth to trade, to buy, to sell. And uh so by working you know with their hands as a tent maker, Paul not only provided for himself but also placed himself again in a very strategic location where he can share the gospel. Right. So he was in the marketplace where so many thousands of people would come every day to do business so he can share the gospel with them. And it was not just people who are in Corinth but people who are coming from different cities. So what would happen if he shares the gospel with them? What will happen if he shares the gospel with them? Huh? They will accept. And what will they do? Huh? Come on. What will they do if they accept the gospel? They will go back to their respective places where they came from. You know, they came from different places to Corinth. They would go back and they would also share the gospel there. Okay. So, this is more than, you know, just a practical choice. It was a strategic mission ministry decision. The marketplace of Corinth was a hub where local lights, the local people, sailors, foreign traders all passed through. And by being present there, Paul had constant opportunities to reach the not only the local people, Corinth uh Corinthians, you know, when they're doing business, but also he was able to connect with travelers, merchants from other cities who could now receive the gospel and go back and spread the gospel in their own regions. Okay. And we also see that he shares Christ with the common people not only with the educated uh you know people like Paul. Okay. We see at the same time Paul also does not just do business but he does not neglect the synagogue but we see on the Sabbath he goes and he engages with the Jews and the god-fearing Greeks in the synagogue. So his approach shows a balance reaching both the ordinary Gentiles, the ordinary people in the marketplace and also the Jews in the synagogue. Okay. So you can show slide nine. Okay. So if you look at slide nine u you know there's a contrast or comparing between an Corinth. So we see in each city Paul very strategically you know uh chooses strategic place for the gospel. In an who does he engage with >> intellectuals, thinkers, philosophers also the marketplace you know discussions uh the the agoda right and then that led into the aeropagus where it was the council members who made decisions. So the intellectual elites uh where and uh you know we Paul uses their own cultural reference to proclaim Christ. Okay. In Corenth the focus is shifted. Who does he minister to in Corinth? >> There's no philosophers there. Paul is immersed himself in the marketplace and also the uh synagogue. Okay. ministering to the Jews, engaging the common people and also the Jewish community. Okay. So the contrast shows Paul's way of adapting himself in every place so that the gospel can be reached. In a gospel was presented in terms of wisdom. Okay. He reasoned with them and also cultural dialogue. But in Corinth, the gospel reached the working class, the traders, the families and the synagogue leaders. Okay. Now, the Greek culture in Corenth is much like the people in Athens. Uh they also took pride in a lot of philosophy and wisdom. But yet we see Paul deliberately choosing to associate with the ordinary people in Corinth because lot of people coming from out other places. Okay. Um so he deliberately associates with ordinary people later in his letter when he writes to the church at Corenth in 1 Corinthians in chapters 1 and two Paul reminds them that the wisdom of the world cannot be compared to the wisdom of God. In chapters one and two he mentions that the wisdom of the world cannot be compared to the wisdom of God. So his ministry basically challenged the Corinthian uh people toward you know that who depended on who were more leaning on pride and elitism uh by showing that gospel was for all the people. It was not just for the intellectuals, not for the rich, not only just for the council people leaders, but also for those in the marketplace, traders, ordinary people, and not just for the intellectuals and the wealthy. Okay. Now, uh yeah, you can go to the next slide 10th as well. Okay. So uh we see when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, you know, to Corenth, Paul was greatly encouraged and they their arrival allowed him to focus even more on preaching, especially to the Jews. However, many of them rejected the message. And then what did Paul declare? Acts 18:6, what does he say when they rejected the message? The Jews, what did Paul declare? that he will minister to the Gentiles. Right? So, do you think that is a failure that he could not minister to the Jews? What do you think? Do you think it was a failure? He could not minister to the Jews. It was not a failure, right? But it was a turning point because many Gentiles in Corinth responded positively. And what are some of the some of the Gentiles the names are mentioned there which is just read to us. Justice whose house was next to the synagogue he becomes a believer. Chrisus the ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord with his whole household. Gas and the household of Stephanus was also brought to the Lord. We read this in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 14 and 16 and chapter 16 verse1 15. Acts 18:17 also says that even Sautinius and another synagogue ruler appears to have later come to Christ and uh Paul mentions about him in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 1. Now if Paul wrote uh the book of Romans from Corenth then even Aras who was a city treasurer very important treasurer okay uh finance minister in our days we call okay city treasurer was also saved he was a man of high social standing okay so Luke u makes a note that many of the Corinthians heard believed and were baptized Right? If you read uh Acts 18:8, we see that many of the Corinthians were heard the gospel, they believed and were baptized. And many of these converts were likely from the lower classes. We read about that in 1 Corinthians 1 26. Okay? And uh and they were also from very immoral backgrounds because of idolatry. There's lot of immorality. 1 Corinthians chapter 6:1. So this highlights the power of the gospel to redeem and transform lives no matter what sin they are in or what is their past. Okay. Now in the midst of uh all the ministry that was happening there was also a lot of opposition. So if you look at slide 10, Paul received a vision from the Lord and what does he say? Uh what does God tell him in the vision? No, please keep um 10. Yeah. What does it say? Do not be afraid. Yes. But speak and do not keep silent for I am with you and no one will attack you or hurt you for I have many people in this city. So this reassurance gave Paul courage to remain in Corenth for a year and a half teaching the word of God and establishing a strong church. Okay. Then we see that Paul was brought before Galilio the prow council of Aka and the Jews accused him of persuading the people to worship God contrary to the law. Okay. But uh did Galo take up their case? What did we read? Did Galo take up their case? The judge over there sitted, did he take up the case? Hello. We just now read Acts chapter 18. Are you listening? Did Galileo take up the case? Yes or no? Why? Why didn't he take up the case? Look at Acts chapter 18 verse 12-6. What does he say? What does he say? Why does he dismiss the case? Ah, it is an argument about religious dispute, right? Has nothing to do with criminal offense or any crime. He saw it as a religious dispute. So we see that this moment is very significant. It shows us that the Roman authorities this uh the judge a woman nanny can you please mute your mic? Thank you. So it shows as the Roman authorities at least at this stage they viewed Christianity as a part of oh this muna. Okay. So the Roman authorities you know at this stage viewed Christianity as a part of Judaism and Christianity was not a crime against this state. So we see even God interfering here and allowing the Roman authorities to think that Christianity was part of Judaism, not a crime against the state. And so this allowed them to spread the gospel freely under Roman protection for some years. And even though Sautinius, the synagogue ruler, was beaten before Galileo in the judgment seat, Galileo ignored this matter. But we see Sautinius later became a Christian uh became a believer in Christ and also became a leader. Okay. Now during this time when Paul was in Corenth he wrote the first two epistles 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. Right? Because he came from he came from Thess go back to uh slide two please. Slide two. So we see that Paul comes from Philippi to Thessalonica to Berea and then to Athens and then to Corenth. Okay. So he wants to maybe he's heard reports of um what is happening in um uh in Thessalonica because Paul and Silas Silas and Timothy had come to Corinth. They were about news to Paul. So Paul writes uh first and second Thessalonians to encourage and strengthen the young believers in Macedonia. Okay. Now it's very likely that during Paul's time that he spent in Corinth for 18 months that regions around even Corinth was evangelized including Sinceria. Okay, I don't think Sinceria is is in here in this map. Okay, let me see if it's in the other map. No, it's not there. Okay. Yeah. So we see that you know um uh so even in Sinceria the uh which is an eastern seap port of Corinth about 7 miles away from the heart of the city and other parts of Aka were also evangelized when Paul stayed in Corenth for good 18 months and uh if you read Romans chapter 16 verse1 Paul writes about Phoebe a sister who was a servant of the church at Sinclia. Okay. So, we see that Paul not only is ministering in one city but even as he's there he's uh you know using the opportunity to evangelize other cities around Corinth. Okay. Uh can we go to slide 11? Okay. Look at what um can somebody read that? Acts 18:18. >> Oh, you have to use the mic, please. >> Paul stayed on with the believers in Corinth for many days, then left them and sailed off with Priscilla and Aquila for Syria before sailing from Canare. He had his head shaved because of W he had taken. >> Okay. Slide 12. Uh let's read verses 19 and 22 as well. Can somebody else read that? Go to slide 12. Yeah. Slide 12. >> Yeah. 19 and to 22. himself entered the synagogue and listened to the Jews. And when they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not concern but at them saying, "I must by all means keep this coming from Jerusalem. But I will return again to you." God will save from Ephesus. And when he had landed at Cicia and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. So here we see that Paul departed and from Corenth okay he leaves Corinth after spending a good you know 18 months over there and then he goes along with Aquilla and Priscilla who went with him and then from uh Paul's episodes to the Corinthians which he writes much later we know that a thriving spiritful church had been established at Corenth. Now while this church experienced many practical problems, there was still a very vibrant community where God's spirit was moving very very freely and powerfully. Okay. And in early AD52, Paul and his team traveled from Corinth about 12 miles to Sinceria along with uh Aquilla and Priscilla. And Paul had his hair cut off because he had taken a wow. Okay. And he was determined to reach Jerusalem in time for the feast. Okay, we'll stop here. Um I think there is a question from somebody. So let me just so Rajie says if God already knew who belonged to him in Corenth was Paul sent to convince people or to reveal people God had already prepared. What do you think? If God already knew who belonged to him in Corenth, was Paul sent to convince people or to reveal people God had already prepared? Huh? uh God had already prepared right? Yes. So God um God knows who is going to believe in him but yet the gospel has to be preached. So we cannot sit back and say hey God knows who and all are going to believe in uh believe in him India so we don't have to preach the gospel. No we can't do that. Okay they are ready. And that is why God or the Holy Spirit did not take Paul to the cities that he wanted to go but took him to the new cities in Europe where he could spread the gospel. Okay. Any other questions? >> Yes. >> Where's the mic, please? Yeah. Use the mic. Yeah. verse two of oh the the present day Italy. >> Yes. Because Sicilia and all of that you know is Italy. Yes. Yes. Okay. Okay. Thank you everyone for joining class. I'll see you next week. God bless. Thank you. Thank you.