Acts 18:18 Sha’ul remained for some time, then said good-bye to the brothers and sailed off to Syria, after having his hair cut short in Cenchrea, because he had taken a vow; with him were Priscilla and Aquila.
19 They came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself went into the synagogue and held dialogue with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay with them longer, he declined; 21 however, in his farewell he said, “God willing, I will come back to you.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.
22 After landing at Caesarea, he went up to Yerushalayim and greeted the Messianic community. Then he came down to Antioch, 23 spent some time there, and afterwards set out and passed systematically through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the talmidim.
24 Meanwhile, a Jewish man named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker with a thorough knowledge of the Tanakh. 25 This man had been informed about the Way of the Lord, and with great spiritual fervor he spoke and taught accurately the facts about Yeshua, but he knew only the immersion of Yochanan. 26 He began to speak out boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God in fuller detail. 27 When he made plans to cross over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote the talmidim there to welcome him. On arrival, he greatly helped those who through grace had come to trust; 28 for he powerfully and conclusively refuted the unbelieving Jews in public, demonstrating by the Tanakh that Yeshua is the Messiah. (Complete Jewish Bible)
Paul was a busy apostle. He was on the move—reaching out to people that many of the Jewish followers of Christ did not. From his extreme persecution of the Church to his radical transformation as an apostle of Christ, Paul challenged the way the Church functioned.
Jesus also challenged the way the followers of God understand how society was to work. He spent time with the sinners. He broke the Jewish laws of Sabbath. He included women in the kingdom of God.
Paul, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila, left the two in Ephesus when he traveled on to share the Gospel throughout the region. He felt comfortable with both of them there to encourage and teach the Christians in Ephesus. When another believer, showed up, both Aquila and Priscilla taught him. Paul did not balk at Priscilla teaching Apollos more about Christ and following Him. Many women and men supported Paul’s ministry by continuing the work after he left.
God’s design for his kingdom is not lopsided: God uses both men and women to enlarge the kingdom. Jesus included in his ministry women society had forgotten or silenced. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God continues to work through them.
Hymn for Today: "I Love to Tell the Story" by Arabells K. Hankey.
1. I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know 'tis true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.
Refrain: I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
2. I love to tell the story;
'tis pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet.
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God’s own Holy Word.
Refrain: I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
3. I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it, like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long.
Refrain: I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
Thought for Today: ‘Adonai says:
“In the Last Days,
I will pour out from my Spirit upon everyone.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams. (Acts 2:17a).
Please pray: That many young people in Ecuador will be called into Christian ministry.
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