First Corinthians 1 Part 1 How Paul Planted A Church At Corinth

We are going to study through First and Second Corinthians. Please pray for me that the Lord will bless my studies and that I can communicate clearly God's truth that we need to hear. 

Paul's longest letters were those that he wrote to the church at Corinth. This church had many problems and many praiseworthy things. 

We will begin by looking into the book of Acts in order to see the particulars about the founding of this church. 

Paul came to Corinth and found other Christians whom he befriended.

Acts 18:1-3  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2)  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3)  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 

The phrase "after these things, takes us back to Paul bringing the gospel into Greece and preaching at Athens.

He then traveled to the city of Corinth. This was a city that was busy with commerce and shipping. It was also a city known for gross immorality and rampant idolatry.

Paul was used by God to plant a church in this well known city. When the apostle arrived he encountered a Christian couple named Aquila and Priscilla.

In the course of conversation, Paul discovered that they were also tent makers, so they worked together making tents. 

Such work allowed Paul to raise funds to cover his personal expenses while he sought to establish a church at Corinth. 

Paul preached the gospel in the synagogue.

Acts 18:4  And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 

Paul quickly found the synagogue and on each sabbath day, he would attend. 

He sought to use the Old Testament scriptures to show the Jews that Jesus Christ was their Messiah and Savior.

No man was better equipped to make the connections with the Old Testament types and prophecies about Christ and to show how they were literally fulfilled by Jesus.

Paul received the best Roman education and the best religious education, being a disciple of the well respected Gamaliel. 

Paul reasoned with them, engaging in meaningful dialogue and intense discussions about the gospel of Christ. 

His goal was persuading the Jews so that they could be led to repentance and faith in Christ. 

In addition, Luke tells us that there were also some God fearing Gentiles in attendance at the Synagogue services.

The Spirit of God pressed Paul to preach that Jesus is Christ. 

Acts 18:5  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

Paul received support when Silas and Timothy arrived. At this point, the apostle was  "pressed in the spirit."

The words refer to that of a cattle squeeze, fences that push in on each side, forcing the animals into a position where it cannot move. 

A cattle squeeze allows a farmer to administer medication or treat an injury sustained by the animal.

Thus, the Spirit of God pressed upon Paul's heart that he must forcefully declare that Jesus is the Christ to the Jewish people at Corinth.

Self righteous ones always oppose the gospel of Christ. 

Acts 18:6  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. 

The Jews arranged themselves into stiff opposition against Paul's preaching of the gospel. They blasphemed the Lord Jesus Christ, much like the Jewish religious leaders at Jerusalem did. 

Paul did as the Spirit of God pressed him to do. He declared truth and they rejected it. Therefore, the apostle separated himself from the synagogue. 

He informed the Jews that because they rejected the gospel of Christ, he would preach the good news to Gentiles.

Paul separated himself from the blasphemers but there were many believers.

Acts 18:7-8  And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8)  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

We rejoice because even though unbelief gripped the hearts of many Jews, some did believe and many Corinthians were converted to Christ, both Jew and Gentile.

Thus, as the Word was preached, people were converted and God was glorified.  

Believers began meeting in the home of a man named Justus. His house was in very close proximity to the synagogue. 

In addition, Crispus was the chief ruler of the synagogue, and he was fully persuaded that Jesus is the Christ. He and his family believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Along with many other Corinthians.  

Jesus comforted Paul and urged him to keep preaching the gospel.

Acts 18:9-11  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10)  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11) And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.  

How beautiful the next words recorded by Luke. He tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to Paul that night in a vision. 

Jesus told Paul not to be afraid. The apostle had been physically assaulted several times and stoned once, being left for dead. 

Thus, Jesus comforted Paul by saying that He would not allow any man to attack or hurt him. 

He wanted Paul to know that there were many people in Corinth who needed to be saved by hearing the gospel.

As a result, Paul preached the gospel and taught sound doctrine to the church at Corinth for 1 1/2 years. 

This helps us understand the close relationship Paul had with the Corinthians, as well as his awareness of their problems.

We face a hostile, active enemy who opposes the gospel.

Acts 18:12-13  And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13)  Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 

Rome appointed Gallio as a governor in Achaia. The Jews must have thought they would receive a favorable hearing with Gallio and they stirred up an insurrection against Paul.

They brought the apostle to the judgment seat demanding that Paul be punished for preaching the gospel.

Satan's opposition was thwarted. 

Acts 18:14-16  And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15)  But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. 16)  And he drave them from the judgment seat. 

The apostle was about to defend himself but the governor refused to deal with any Jewish religious issue. He sent his guards and drove them away from the judgment seat. 

Out from evil hearts proceed evil actions. 

Acts 18:17  Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things. 

The Jews were incensed that their scheme to restrain or kill Paul came to nothing. Like a mindless violent mob, they grabbed the new ruler of the synagogue and beat him. 

After some time passed, Paul prepared to travel back to his sending church at Antioch. 

This gives us the background necessary for understanding Paul's letters to the church at Corinth. 

Bob