Back to the Bible Podcast – Episode 117: Acts 18:1-16

Host: Larsen Plyler
Date: July 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Larsen Plyler leads listeners through Acts 18:1-16, focusing on Paul's ministry in Corinth, the challenges he faced, and lessons for contemporary faith communities. Drawing connections from the historical context of Corinth to practical lessons for today's church, Plyler emphasizes the authority of Scripture, the continuity of apostolic teaching, and the principle of restoration. The episode is rich with insights into the dynamics of early Christian communities, Paul's missionary strategies, and the proper focus of church identity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Foundational Anchors in Faith

• Plyler begins by reflecting on the importance of having foundational "anchors" of faith that help believers withstand doubt—especially when faced with tough questions in college or life.
• He references his own book, Anchors in a Sea of Questions, explaining its purpose:
  • Not to answer every specific question, but to provide essential doctrinal foundations (02:05).
  • “There was no way I could anticipate all the questions… But I knew there was a God and I knew that Jesus had been raised from the dead, and I knew that the Bible was reliable.” – Larsen Plyler (03:20)

2. Transition from Athens to Corinth (Acts 17–18)

• Paul moves from Athens, a city known for its intellect but spiritual apathy, to Corinth, a city infamous for immorality but surprisingly receptive to the gospel (06:12).
• In Athens, responses to the gospel were generally ambivalent—highlighting a danger of hearing spiritual truth yet remaining unmoved (05:35).

3. The City of Corinth: Context and Culture

• Corinth’s status as a major trading city contributed to its size and notorious reputation for immorality (07:12).
• The phrase “to Corinthianize” meant engaging in sexual immorality—even in the eyes of the ancient world.

4. Paul’s Companions: Aquila and Priscilla

• Paul partners with Aquila and Priscilla, Jewish tentmakers expelled from Rome by Claudius (08:40).
• The nature of their faith when first meeting Paul isn’t definite, but by the end of the chapter, they are firmly established as disciples.
• Their initial connection with Paul is through their trade, not necessarily their faith (09:15).

5. Ministry Approach in Corinth

• Paul balances tent-making with synagogue teaching until Silas and Timothy arrive, likely bringing financial support from Philippi, enabling Paul to commit fully to preaching (12:00).
• He persistently preaches to Jews that Jesus is the Christ, but upon facing resistance and blasphemy, he turns to Gentiles—a recurring pattern witnessed since Acts 13 (13:30).
  • “Your blood be on your own heads. I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” – Larsen reading Paul, Acts 18:6 (14:35)
• Moves next door to Titius Justus, a Gentile God-fearer’s house; strategic proximity keeps Paul engaged with the Jewish and Gentile communities (15:15).

6. Early Church Growth and Encouragement from God

• Crispus, the synagogue leader, converts alongside his household. “Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, were believing and being baptized.” (16:35)
• The Lord appears to Paul in a vision with reassurance:
  • “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you... for I have many people in this city.” (17:24)
• Paul stays in Corinth for 18 months, longer than any prior stop—unexpected considering Corinth’s reputation (18:25).

7. The Letters to the Corinthians and Apostolic Authority

• Plyler explains the significance of 1 & 2 Corinthians, noting the church’s many issues (division, immorality, doctrinal confusion) but also its value as a source of apostolic instruction (19:20).
• Paul’s instructions to Corinth are consistent with what he teaches “in every church,” underscoring the universal applicability of apostolic teaching:
  • “The things that I write to you are the Lord’s Commandment.” – 1 Corinthians 14:37, quoted (20:50)
• Emphasizes that the teachings of Paul, Peter, James, and John apply everywhere, not just to special places or contexts (22:20).

8. Church Identity: Beyond Denominations

• Plyler warns against building identity on human teachers or traditions (23:40).
  • “Whether or not it’s devotion to a man or to a tradition...the core of my devotion is to Christ.” (24:55)
• Although congregations may have similarities, it's not because of denominational structure but due to mutual devotion to Scripture (25:55).
  • “If they are the same in the ways that they are the same, why are they the same? I hope... it’s because, like the church at Corinth, they are receiving the words of Peter and Paul and James and John and Luke and Mark.” (26:05)

9. The Principle of Restoration

• Clarifies the idea of “restoring the New Testament church” (27:15):
  • Not about replicating any single early church with all its faults or unique circumstances.
  • It's seeking to live up to the apostolic ideal, embracing their instructions and commendable examples while recognizing human imperfections.
  • “We are not saying we want to be just like the church at Antioch or just like the church at Ephesus... we’re talking about restoring ourselves personally and the congregations that we’re a part of to the New Testament ideal.” (28:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Anchors in the Journey of Faith:
  “There was never a time where I was unanchored. And that’s because of some truths.” – Larsen Plyler (03:40)

• On Spiritual Apathy:
  “There are times where we hear the truth of God’s word and we don’t let it change us. And we don’t get mad about it. We just move on with our lives as if nothing had been said...and that’s a danger as well.” (05:50)

• Authority of Apostolic Teaching:
  “The things that I write to you are the Lord’s Commandment.” – Paul, by Larsen Plyler (20:50)

• Restoration Principle:
  “When we talk about restoring the New Testament Church, we are not talking about being like any one New Testament congregation in every way...we’re talking about restoring ourselves personally and the congregations that we’re a part of to the New Testament ideal.” (28:55)

Key Timestamps

• 02:05 – Purpose of Anchors in a Sea of Questions
• 06:12 – Transition from Athens to Corinth
• 07:12 – Cultural background of Corinth
• 09:15 – Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla
• 12:00 – Silas and Timothy arrive, enabling Paul’s full-time ministry
• 14:35 – Paul reacts to Jewish resistance
• 16:35 – Conversions in Corinth, especially Crispus and his household
• 17:24 – God reassures Paul in a vision
• 18:25 – Paul’s extended stay in Corinth
• 19:20 – Issues addressed in First and Second Corinthians
• 20:50 – Scriptural authority is the same for all churches
• 23:40 – Church identity and denominationalism
• 27:15 – Restoration principle explained
• 28:55 – The New Testament ideal as church standard

Summary Takeaways

• Paul’s ministry in Corinth demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel, reaching even the most unlikely places.
• Scripture—especially apostolic teaching—is to be the foundation and authority for all congregations, transcending culture, location, or time.
• Restoration is not about copying any single New Testament congregation, but about continually striving toward the biblical ideal in faith and practice.
• Genuine church identity must be rooted in Christ and Scripture, not in human traditions, denominational labels, or personalities.