Don't be Silent
Acts18:9-17
9:And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
10:for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
11:And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12:But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal,
13:saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.”
14:But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.
15:But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”
16:And he drove them from the tribunal.
17:And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
18:After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.(ESV)
Word for Today:
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, Don't be afraid! Speak out! Don't be Silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack or harm you, for many people in the city belong to me. vv 9-10
The Jews in our text today did not just rise up together against Pauls teaching but brought him before the governor for judgment.
They accused Paul of persuading people to worship God in ways that are opposed to the Roman law. This is to accuse Paul of treason against the community.
While Paul was about to speak the governor took over out the case. He saw Christians as part of Judaism and this was a big open door for believers to share the gospel in the Roman Empire.
The case turned back against the leaders of the opposition. But the amazing thing for Paul is not what happened in the court but Gods word of encouragement in verse 9 & 10.
The Lord assured him of His presence and opened his eyes to see that there are many people in the city that belong to him.
No matter the situation you are passing through, God is saying to you today Dont be afraid, dont be silent. I have people in this city”.
Yes, you need to know that God is more interested about His word spreading than you are.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to know daily that you are with me.