Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. Acts 18:8
One of the keys to a successful business or organization is having a common bond through a mission statement. A company with a specific, clear, and well-known mission statement creates a common bond for its employees. This common bond can sustain the teams when a difference of opinions and other hardships arise. When things become difficult, and differences of opinions come up, the teams can come together, remembering the mission statement and the common bond unifies them. It reminds them why they exist and why they will keep going, even when times are difficult. Common bonds not only aid in successes for businesses and organizations, but they also help unify relationships. This is particularly true in marriages. Common bonds unify marriages when life gets hard, and disagreements happen. Of all the common bonds that unite a marriage, Scripture teaches that a Christian marriage is to be rooted and grounded in each individual's personal relationship with Christ. Today, we are looking at a couple who did just that; they had a relationship rooted in Christ and made a profound impact as a result.
In our study of Acts 18 yesterday, we learned that Paul preached about Christ throughout the city of Corinth. This preaching was a reminder that the most important thing we can do for any relationship, especially marriage relationships, is to develop a close, deep relationship with Christ. Acts 18:8 tells us that "many… in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized." We don't know for sure, because the Bible does not specify, but it seems likely that some of these people were Priscilla and Aquila. One thing that we do know for certain is that when they gave their lives to Christ and started following Jesus, they became a powerful team. They taught others about Christ and made Christ known.
When people who are rooted and grounded in Christ come together, they become a powerful team. They are stronger when they are together, and their impact goes even further. Who is on your team? Do you have people in your life who are also deeply rooted in Christ? If you are married, how can you and your spouse partner together to make Christ known?
If you are married, sit down with your spouse and make plans and goals to grow in your relationship with God together. Pick a time once a week to study the Bible together. Select a portion of the Bible you would like to study, or choose one of the reading plans available on the Sagebrush app. After you have both read, pick a day and time to discuss what you read and learn through your study.
Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.
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 and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.
But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”
But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom.
The crowd then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.
