In Acts 18, we see a glimpse of something different, the persecution of Jews. The Jews are forced from their homes in Rome. God has not forgotten the Jews in sending the gospel to the Gentiles. Persecution doesn’t mean God had turned on them. The church was persecuted because it was growing and displaying God’s power. Persecution is a refining, a purifying, a making pure gold, a making fit for a King.

Paul is reviled by the Jews and declares himself innocent of their blood as he declares that from now on he’s going to the Gentiles. I find it a little comical that at that moment he leaves and just goes next door. He goes to the Gentiles, but he doesn’t go far. God encourages Paul to stay in the city and keep preaching. He stays another year and a half.

God gives Paul a word that no one will attack him to harm him. Paul has been beaten. Paul has been stoned to death (and lives through it). It’s a good word to hear he’s not going to be attacked to be harmed. God says to not be afraid. Paul was human. He had some fear of being attacked or God wouldn’t have said something.

There is one incident where Paul is dragged to the courts, but he’s freed without having to say a word and another man is beaten.

Priscilla and Aquila (wife and husband) start traveling with Paul and working alongside him as teachers. We don’t hear any more about them continuing to work as tentmakers. Priscilla, along with her husband, together teach Apollos about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We see nothing wrong here with Priscilla being involved in teaching a man. She’s not outside her husband’s or her church leader’s authority in doing so.

Why is teaching “accurately the things concerning Jesus” not enough? We can get forgiveness of sins with knowledge of Jesus and His sacrifice for our sins, but we aren’t going to have the overcoming power to live free from sin and to live free to love without the Holy Spirit working in and through us.