Paul ventures back into modern-day Turkey for his third missionary trip. Meanwhile, Apollos confounds the Jewish community and meets up with the Corinthian church.
Acts 18:23, 27-28; Psalm 2, 8
In a crowded hall, a sole figure commands the eyes and ears of every individual in attendance.
“What do we require for God to warrant our attention?” He asks rhetorically. “Yet another sign? Hasn’t he already endeavored to great lengths to call us his own, to esteem us as members of his family? We, the children of Abraham, born into the birthright of God’s chosen lineage–purposed to be an auspicious light to spark brilliance within a dark and unseeing world–we ourselves have turned a blind eye to our very maker who has called us out of darkness and into His glorious light. What is most unfortunate is that we–as God’s chosen children, though a most forlorn lot, have forsaken the very reason for our calling. Yet, God still endlessly labors to shepherd us back into his fold.
When he unveiled the Law of Moses, God hemmed a tight fabric around our frightened and wayward ancestors. No doubt, this felt restrictive, but along with such guidelines, our people felt safe, directed for the first time, purposed in their otherwise paltry lives. God brought the rule of Law to our rescued ancestors, and a new hope with endless possibility was forged… that is, for a season.
You see, even though God placed the worship of Him at the very center of this newly fashioned community, he had gained Israel’s attention… though for a moment. When making camp in various locations throughout the desert while heading towards the land of promise, the tabernacle of worship holding the shekinah glory itself was not enough to hold their attention. The shaft of light illuminating down from the heavens and brilliantly confounding the night sky, ever reminding his people of his presence, was not sufficient.
What is it within us that vindicates the lament of Elijah when he cried out to the Israeli spectators, “How long are you going to struggle between the two choices? Choose a side!” Will it be God? Or mindless idol worship? Indeed, we are a lamentable people, especially when we lose sight of the Lord’s work in front of us. What must God do to keep us from drifting away and neglecting so great a salvation?
For hundreds of years, God sent us prophets who have diligently risked their own lives to warn us, as wanderers… as idol worshippers, of the wrath to come. “Stop wandering… stop serving yourselves and the idols who promote such destructive thinking… and place yourselves under the protection of the Law.”
“What could possibly motivate God to remain steadfast in warning his children? What motivates any good parent to give such warnings? What is man that you think of him, or a son of man that you are concerned about him? You have made man lower than the angels… Yet… You, Oh God, have given man, more specifically the Son of Man, the nations of all the earth as an inheritance. And who is this son of man? Surely no one in Israel, not even the prophets, holds a light to the one who is worthy to receive praise from all the nations of the earth. Messiah!”
Quietly seated amongst the larger crowd, Chloe’s eyes grow wide. She then elbows her neighbor and gives her a curious look. She whispers, “Did you hear that?”
“It is this Messiah,” He continues. “This chosen son of man to harness and redirect the ways of the earth and all who inhabit it. It is he with whom I wish to speak of today. Would you recognize him if he bared his face right here in this room?”
Keeping her eyes fixed on the well groomed and captivating speaker in the middle of the room, Chloe’s friend finally renders a subtle nod.
…
Standing in the middle of the mostly deserted street, Paul turns to see the remaining vendors cleaning up their areas along the sides of the road. He then follows the direction of the city’s thoroughfare which appears to spill out at the foot of the enormous mountain directly to the south. His stare becomes so intent that he doesn’t notice the flock of sheep approaching him from behind and passing by. A teenage shepherd boy follows from behind as well, slows and turns to see what Paul is looking at.
Standing next to Paul, the two quietly stare at the mountain for a while longer before the shepherd boy finally speaks up. “New here?” He asks.
A startled Paul takes his eyes off of the mountain to see a dozen sheep surrounding him and the shepherd boy standing strangely close. Feeling awkward, Paul finally says, “It’s beautiful here.”
The shepherd shrugs indifferently. “I guess.” He says.
Paul then bends down to examine the face of one of the ewes. “Good looking flock.” He says. “These yours?”
The shepherd shakes his head.
“Your family’s?” Paul inquires.
He shakes his head again.
Paul laughs. “Are you a rustler then?”
The young man smiles at the thought. “If I were a thief, do you think I would parade them right through the middle of town?”
“Hey,” Paul responds. “I was out of options. Nothing else was making sense.”
“My owner’s.” The boy says.
Now feeling sheepish himself, Paul lets out a sigh. “I see. What of your family?” He asks.
The young man shakes his head again without an answer.
Silence ensues as the two continue to gaze upon the mountain.
“Well,” Paul finally announces. “You said it. I’m new here. Would you be willing to introduce me to your master?”
The teenager shrugs again. “I guess.” He lets out, as he begins to collect his sheep and move them towards their home.
Paul nods. “I didn’t get your name.”
“Onesimus.” The boy replies.
…
Gathering around a table in the small courtyard situated in front of Titius Justus’ home, Timothy and Sosthanes suddenly look up to hear a woman’s voice clamoring for their attention.
Seeing Chloe’s face, Timothy smiles and says, “Hey, there she is. How are you, Chloe?”
Without pleasantries, Chloe gets straight to the point. She turns back to see her friend walking with the man who had just finished addressing the synagogue. “You must meet this man.” She says.
Sosthanes and Timothy both lean over to see the two walking towards them.
Chloe blurts out. “I’ve never heard anyone speak like him before. He was… sheer brilliance… as if from the voice of God.”
Sosthanes’ eyes widen. “Wow! Did this gentleman just speak?”
As the two make their way into the courtyard, Chloe replies. “Yes, very much so.” She turns to introduce the man. “Timothy, Sosthanes, this is Apollos. You three need to have a conversation.”
“It’s an honor to meet you both.” Apollos offers. “I’ve heard much about you.”
Timothy and Sosthanes exchange a confused glance.
Sosthanes asks. “You know of us?”
“Purely by reputation.” Apollos bows.
“Forgive us.” Timothy questions. “How is it that you have heard of us?”
Apollos smiles and reaches into his satchel. “Ahh, there they are. “Aquila and Priscilla send you greetings of extravagant grace.” Handing over his letter of recommendation, he offers, “This might be of service.”
Chloe blushes and gives a slight grin.
…
Trying to shut a stubborn gate, Onesimus doesn’t see his master watching. He kicks away at the ground where the gate post normally sits. “Stupid gate.” He mutters, as he keeps kicking at the ground to loosen the dirt around it.
“Fix it right the first time, and you won’t have that problem.” A voice calls out.
Onesimus looks up to see his master who wears that “I told you so” look.
“I thought you would be out with the sheep longer than that.” His master says. “I wasn’t expecting you back until dusk.”
Onesimus looks around at Paul who takes his cue to make introductions.
Watching Paul walk towards him, he asks. “Who’s your friend?”
“Paulus.” Paul offers. “I met Onesimus shortly after arriving in Colossae.”
“Where are you coming from?” The man says.
“Just arriving from Galatia, but before that Antioch of Syria.” Paul says.
“That’s a lot of travel.” The man says.
“Indeed it is.” Paul agrees. “I had been in Jerusalem before that and Ephesus before that.”
“Jewish?” The man asks.
Surprised by the question, Paul nods and replies. “Yes… I am.”
The man grimaces and looks back at Onesimus. “Make him a bed.” He turns back to Paul and asks. “You hungry?”
“Yes.” Paul replies.
He sizes up Paul for a second time and manages to find a slight smile. He then extends a hand and says, “Philemon.”
…
We’re going to stop here for today:
The mic is dropped in Achaia when Apollos, the sophisticated savant from Alexandria, addresses the Jewish Community in Corinth and proclaims the arrival of Jesus as Messiah. Not unlike Paul from the year before, Apollos presents a persuasive case citing multiple passages in the Septuigint that hint at the coming of the Messiah.
In this episode, I highlighted two Psalms written by King David, Psalms 2 and 8. In a similar way, the author of Hebrews, who may or may not be Apollos himself (that’s my take anyway) uses these passages to heighten the value of humanity above all else. More specifically, he highlights the son of man who will reign over all of the world’s created order (Hebrews 2:8). Quoting the two psalms of David is insightful, especially when juxtaposed against the backdrop of God’s promise made to David himself about having a descendant who will rule all the nations on a permanent basis. Yes, there is more to understanding the role of Messiah than what is seen here in these two psalms, but understanding the “Davidic Covenant” is one important factor.
On his way to Ephesus, Paul arrives in Colossae, which is one of many towns in Roman Phrygia. Colossae is in the same fertile valley as Laodicea, which is one of the churches later addressed in John’s Revelation. Also later written is Paul’s letter to Philemon, which encourages the wealthier Colossian business man to take it easy on his younger slave, Onesimus, who somehow gets himself into trouble. While Onesimus appears to go through some hard times, he later becomes of great use to Paul in his ministry.
It is likely that both Philemon and Onesimus learned of Jesus through Paul and made personal life commitments to Jesus under the ministry of Epaphrus who returned to his hometown of Colossae after spending time with Paul in Ephesus (Colossians 1:7). Curiously, we’ll see other New Testament sightings from Aristarchus, Luke, Barnabas and even John Mark in Colossae over time.
Loads of activity happening here at the end of Acts 18, but as we’ll see, we’re only warming up to some of the amazing God sightings encountered in Paul’s third mission trip.
Well that’s it for this week: May the events that transpire around you this week be seen from a different lens. May you see God at work all around you. With that, let’s move forward together.