Corinth was rich in history and culture, famous for its politics, sports, and commerce. It was known for its temples, idolatry, and immorality. Its citizens were hedonistic, competitive, and insubordinate. Could the gospel take hold there and transform these sinners into saints? Let’s take a tour, seeing photos and noting archaeological discoveries.
These
are sermon notes, not written in a polished or finished manuscript form. I used some of my own photos, that were taken on our trip to Corinth. I also used slides from a commercial product, the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands.
To see
the video of this and other sermons:
To see thumbnails of all
posts on this blog:
Acts 18:1-17
The City: Possible
to Reach? YES!
We might not think
so because …
Paul’s limited
response in Athens. No church started.
Idolatry: 12+
heathen temples.
Immorality: to
“Corinthianize.”
Greek philosophy and
mythology.
Commercialism: all
about money.
Isthmian Games every
two years.
Slavery: almost two
slaves per citizen.
Population: approx.
250,000 (20x that of Athens).
The Apostle: Able to
Evangelize? YES!
Acts 18:1-17
Providence – 18:1-4
Pressure – 18:5-6
Progress – 18:7-8
Promise – 18:9-11
Protection –
18:12-17
The Apostle: Able to
Evangelize? YES!
From Tent-Making to
Testifying - 18:1-5
From Jews to
Gentiles - 18:6-7
From Resistance to
Re-entry - 18:6-7
From One Man to Many
- 18:8
From Fear to
Fortitude - 18:9-11
From Accusation to
Approval - 18:12-17
The Church: Possible
to Correct? YES!
Paul later in
Ephesus, about AD 55 (1 Cor 16:8).
We might not think
so because …
News from several
sources: questions and issues.
Quarreling,
jealousy, immaturity, cliques.
Leadership,
tolerance of immorality, lawsuits.
Marriage, idolatry,
worship.
Women’s role, the
Lord’s Supper.
Spiritual gifts, the
resurrection, giving.
The Letter: Valuable
to Study? YES!
Essential! First,
it’s the timely, timeless Word of God.
Second, it will help
us to be …
People of gratitude.
People of
prevention.
People of
understanding.
People of
restoration.
People of
commitment.
The “Gallio
Inscription” (Acts 18:12-17)
Archaeology confirms
once again the accuracy and precision of Acts. Gallio served as the proconsul*
of Achaia, but only in AD 51-52.
Establishes the time
of Paul’s efforts there.
*Governor of a
senatorial province in the Roman Empire. Appointed by the Roman senate.
Also in NT: Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7–8, 12).
The “Erastus
Inscription”
Paul wrote Romans
from Corinth AD 57-58.
Rom 16:23 “Erastus,
[Corinth’s] city treasurer (city manager) (NIV, “director of public works”)
(Grk. oikonomos, “house ruler,” “steward”) gre you.”
The “Erastus
Inscription” in ancient Corinth may refer to this same man.
The “Erastus
Inscription”
The two Latin lines
on the inscription:
ERASTVS PRO AEDILIT
E
S P STRAVIT
Full translation may
be: “Erastus in return for his aedileship laid (the pavement) at his own
expense.”
(Aedile - city’s
financial manager, usually quite wealthy. The pavement was laid about AD 50.)
Possible hymns:
Send the Light
Shine, Jesus, Shine
Kneel at the Cross
Whiter than Snow
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