"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL TO CHANGE LIVES"
Acts 18:8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
Paul had gone from Athens to Corinth, going in will of God to do the work of God. And, as he went he took every opportunity that God gave him to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, ( the very gospel that had changed his life ) He wanted the same for others, and was commissioned by God to preach it and to teach it, and to make disciples. And, here we have a little picture of some of Paul's ministry with people we will one day meet in heaven.
1. Anyone can believe and be saved.
Acts 18:8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
In this case, the "anyone" getting saved, happened to be a ruler of the synagogue. He heard the gospel shared by Paul, repented of his sins, put his faith in Jesus Christ and was saved. Praise the Lord.
2. Often one person being saved, leads to others being saved also.
Acts 18:8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
We notice the ripple effect of the salvation of Crispus, and how God than moved among his household. This would no doubt have included his wife, and his children, and the servants that were in his house. And, we also see that "many of the Corinthians" believed.
This is not uncommon. God will touch one life, and than, that life if used to touch others, and so on, and so on.
3. Being saved takes place when a person believes the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Acts 18:8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
Thank God for the simplicity of the Gospel, and the Power of the Gospel. The sequence in this verse is as follows. There was preaching or sharing of the gospel, there was hearing of the gospel, and there was believing of the gospel, and the result was that those who believed were saved, and then, those who were saved were baptized in obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. Simple as that.
Thus, how important is it for us to remember that the Gospel is the power of God to salvation, Rom 1:16
4. A family being saved, can be than used by God to reach others outside of that family.
Acts 18:8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
I've seen this happen so many times over the years. This is the greatest ripple effect I know of. You yourself may have been affected by one of those ripples, or maybe, God is using you to start a ripple. Either way, may the Lord do a great work through all of us to save the lost.
5. The New Testament consistency records that once people were saved, they became baptized.
Acts 18:8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.
This was the Biblical pattern. Saved, and than baptized. Today, it would bring great honor to the Lord for us to renew and consistently adhere to what Jesus has laid out for those who put their faith in Him.
6. Even men we consider great can become afraid, and need encouragement from God.
Acts 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent;
Even after being used by God, Paul apparently became afraid, and needed much encouragement from the Lord to keep on keeping on. Not uncommon. The devil was probably pounding away at Paul, he usually pounds on those who are doing the work of God.
Some questions:
1. Who is in your life that needs salvation?
2. Would you ask God to use you to influence them towards Jesus Christ for salvation?
3. They may be leaders, or they may be family members, or just fellow citizens of the community you live in. Do they need Christ?.
4. Is it on your heart to share with them?
5. Are you by any chance afraid right now about sharing with them?. May God encourage you just like He did Paul,
6. Have you been baptized since you were saved? If not, will you please honor Jesus by obeying Him in this matter?
A prayer:
Father, these little stories are more than just little stories. They are records of the work of Almighty God in the lives of people who needed grace, mercy, love and the salvation that can only be found in Jesus Christ. We will meet all these folks mentioned in this devotional someday, when we arrive in glory. In the meantime, may we be used to bring many others to Christ. And, may the Lord add to His kingdom as many as are being saved. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
