Acts 17: 32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.”33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them,34 but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 18: 1 Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome.3 Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.
Paul had those who would doubt him and his message in every town, and church, and now on Mars Hill, they were mocking him and his message about the resurrection of the dead. Guess what Paul did? Paul went to the next place to continue to preach God's truth and one of his greatest challenges was ahead in the city of Corinth. Corinth had another name that showed just what Paul was going to face. Corinth was known as "sin city!" The ridicule Paul experienced in Athens only spurred him on to share the message God had called him to proclaim and he was sharing that message in the power of the Holy Spirit, so the effect on those who heard it was going to be powerful!
Paul did not let the doubt of those philosophers on Mars Hill cause him to have any doubt that there were more who needed to hear it in other cities and provinces. Paul's central focus was never shaken and that meant Moving On. When his time was over in Athen's Paul did not hesitate to move on to the next place. That is the calling of his type of missionary and Paul kept true to that calling by going to Corinth.
When Paul went to the next place God always inserted some great people in his life to encourage him, and yes, to support his journey financially as the believers from Phlippi did. Philippians 4: 15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this.16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. Paul's ministry was not a "career" choice, but a spiritual calling, and in reality, he was the only one who truly knew what his purpose was in that ministry. Others could only look on and pray for him and support him so he could fulfill his calling and that commitment by those believers made it possible for Paul to do three missionary journeys sharing the gospel wherever he traveled and God blessed through all of the elements responsible for the success of his journeys. Paul's career choice was to be a lawyer as a Jew, but Jesus changed all of that and made him a missionary to Jews and Gentiles. Praise God!
But Paul's life was not built around being a "hometown minister." God had bigger plans for Paul and the urgency God put in Paul's walk is best seen in his letter to the church in Ephesus, where he writes Ephesians .5:15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise,16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Paul knew when it was time to Move On and without hesitation, that is what he did. Paul kept "Moving On." Not distracted by trying to make close friends. Not distracted by sinking in roots. Not distracted by financial security. Paul just kept "Moving On." He was a man on a mission that no one could begin to understand. Paul was the "most misunderstood man on the earth." He didn't need to be understood because Jesus met him personally on the road to Damascus and then set a course for his life that only he could see. Paul was CALLED! What has God called you to do for Him that is unique to you? Time to get moving on!
The Pilgrimage Continues
David Warren
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