Okay, alright. So we were saying that Paul is right now in the city of Athens. Okay, notice how in Philippi we saw the impact of the Gospel on every startup society. So you had somebody like Lydia who is rich, who is influential, who accepted the Gospel. You also had somebody who is a slave girl. That person also accepted the Gospel. Somebody who is, you could say in today's Indian language, middle class or average working class kind of a person who is a jailer who also responded to the Gospel. So the ministry is impacting every startup society and people are responding to this message that Paul is bringing to cities. What about the mindset of these people? Obviously the mindset will be very different. Now in the city of Athens you had people who were mainly philosophers. So we could say something like intellectual people and our question will always be how do you answer these intellectual people? How do you answer people who are philosophical, who subscribe to a certain way of life? We'll see how Paul actually ministers to this category of so-called intellectual, philosophical kind of people. So that is the type of people whom we are meeting in the city of Athens and in today's society we might come across many such well-read individuals who might have their own thought process about God. So what should we do? Should we sit and counter what they believe or should we just simply present the Gospel? How did Paul approach this group of people? That's what we are going to talk about. So let's see. So he's an Athens, he's provoked, he's angry because the city is given over to idols and sometimes this is how we respond. We go to a city at the spiritual condition of that city and the Holy Spirit might move us and say you have to minister in this community, you have to minister among these people. So Paul is very, very passionately ministering over here that what happens here but there are two sets of people. You have some philosophical group known as the Epicurean people and then you have the Stoic philosophers. Now both of these, both of these lines of thoughts were slightly different. So the Epicureans believed in pleasure, they believed in living life to the fullest, they believed in just experiencing life very well. That is the meaning of life, you must experience it, the goodness that this life has to offer. But at the same time you had Stoic philosophers who believed in living life right, doing the right thing and living life with dignity, things like that. So you had two lines of thought and these people encounter Paul and they belittle him. Obviously he was a learned man, yes but maybe not in the Greek philosophies. So they use a term like babbler. What does this man say? Babbler is like baby language. This guy does not know anything. What is this level of knowledge? What is he actually saying? So they are putting him down. Sometimes people might put us down for the lack of understanding of their culture or their traditions. It does not mean that we should not know about it. But even if we are looked down upon, we still have a message to share and we can share it in a good way and we will see Paul do that. So they looked down on him. That was one way in which they evaluated him. Then they also said he is a proclamator of foreign gods. So I told you the society was very philosophical and one of the things that interested them was some new teaching, some new concept, something new brought to the table. So even though they did not find him such an intellectual, they were interested in him because he was sharing about Jesus. He was sharing about resurrection. So it was just intriguing for them and they wanted to know what is it that this man has to tell us. So they took him and brought him to a place called Ariopagus or it was also known as Mars Hill. It was a place. Today we have some of these forums or we could look at those days they had theaters where they would have a man talk and a lot of intellectual people would come and listen. So Mars Hill was a place where the intellectuals would gather and then somebody would come and present their new talk. So these days you have forums like the TED talks and all where something new is being shared by an individual. So something like that. All these intellectual philosophers they would gather at Ariopagus or Mars Hill and they would let somebody speak of their, speak their principles or their philosophy. So Paul gets a chance to speak on Mars Hill or Ariopagus. Then they ask okay we want to know what is your doctrine please tell us because you are bringing some strange teachings here and we want to know the meaning of these things. And these Athenians they loved philosophy just sit and listen and enjoy. So that was their intention. So they sat around. Paul really had observed the city very well so he talks to them. He says, Men of Athens I perceive that in all things you are very religious. So you see the context to the Jews how did he speak? He spoke directly about the Messiah and he reasoned with them. He reasoned with them. In Thessalonica he reasoned with them but here in Athens he realizes these people have no concept of the Lord Jesus. So how to talk to them? So he starts where they are and he says I understand that you are very religious people because he saw so many idols. He saw people are putting their faith in something so they seem to be religious people. So that's what he says okay I recognize you are religious people. And then he says okay you know what when I was observing all your gods I came across this altar which says to be unknown god. This was this god whom you have been worshipping without knowing him I proclaim to you. So Paul found a way. There was an unknown god they were worshipping. In those days they had this concept the Greeks like they would usually worship a god whom they knew but what if they missed a particular god. So they wanted to cover all gods so they made altars to an unknown god even when they worshipped apparently they would worship animals to all the known gods. But in a region where there was no temple they wanted to sacrifice to someone so then they would set up the altar of the unknown god and go ahead and worship. So he picked up he understood that culture he understood that way of worship and he picked up on this and he said you are worshipping an unknown god.  Now he addresses based on their understanding he says god who made the world and everything in it since he is lord of heaven and earth does not dwell in temples made with that. So see he understands that these people are trying to make god because it was a city given to idols. So he is bringing a new way of thinking what is that thinking.  And he thought there were many temples idols so he is saying God cannot dwell you can't contain them in temples. So he is giving them something which is opposing their belief but he is bringing it in a very honorable way you can say. So he is not accusing them revoking them not like that but he is presenting his thoughts in an honorable way. But these patterns are definitely different from what they believe that he says nor is he worshipped with men's hands as though he needed anything since he gives to all life bread and all things.  And we cannot try to create him so that's what he's trying to say. Then he says and he has made people blood air from every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings. Exalting this creator God who is who has control over everything and so he says that this God he has given us hope. So he says so that they should seek the Lord in the hope that they might grow for him and find him though he is not far from each one of us. So he's saying look you are seekers and this God he wants us to find him. Okay let's move on. He says for in him we live and move and we have a being as also some of your own poets have said now see he is trying to contextualize. Not that he is unaware of the culture completely something he throws in there to relate with them. So he says look your own poets have said so bringing in something familiar for we are also his offspring. So he got from the Greek poets and he kind of tries to win their hearts and then he moves on. And he says that God is going to judge us one day and therefore we have to repent and he brings in the gospel. He brings in the gospel and he says that he will judge the world righteousness by the man. You see the message should always be about the person of Jesus. The message should always be about the God whom we serve and not just about philosophies and this and that. So again the way Peter preached the way Paul has been preaching in every city he comes back to the Lord Jesus. So he says look there's going to be somebody who will judge us and this is the man whom he has ordained. Who is this man obviously it is the Lord Jesus and then he goes on to add he has given us assurance of this to all by raising him from the dead. He's talking about Jesus he's talking about Jesus dying about Jesus being raised from the dead. So the gospel this is what we call the gospel that Jesus is the Messiah that he made the Christ. He died and he rose from the dead. So Paul is preaching the gospel but we see he's done it in a very very beautiful way where he has acknowledged that these are religious people. He has shared his thoughts.  No no no God is the one who has created us but he wants us to seek him.  But the moment they Paul says the resurrection of the dead you know the Athenians did not like it. I told us that they were philosophers and a lot of them wanted to believe that you know life has life doesn't end. Because if you're saying resurrection then you have to talk about you know death and only one lifetime. You know you rise from the dead and of course you know that for every man only one death is one final death happens and then there is judgment. Because Paul talked about judgment in his sermon here that they did not like. You know one life what you do in that life becomes you have to be accountable that because there's going to be judgment. Resurrection judgment they didn't like these things they just wanted to believe that a person can live do whatever they want to die and again be born right. It sounds very familiar as people in this nation you know we are familiar with these kinds of concepts and philosophies but even the Greeks had similar beliefs. They just wanted to believe that you know again you will be born you can experience some other things and accountability consequences. These things made them uncomfortable. So the moment he started talking about judgment resurrection from the dead they started mocking him or again you know putting him down. And they said okay stop stop enough today's session is over how about we hear about we will hear you again about this whole resurrection about Jesus later. Whatever you are saying till now it was nice good sermon good speech please stop time up okay so they stop him there. So Paul he leaves he departs he understands okay their hearts are not you know the variants how they were receptive their hearts were open. The hearts of these people were not open so he stops and he departs from there we are told or he moves on from there. Because he has already preached but once he had preached you have some people from Mars Hill or Aeropakers. You might qualify them as intellectual people they come pick up to me listen to all these speeches and go back. Some of those people believe so those who had open hearts they believe they are told that Dionysius the area of a guide. And the woman named the Maris and others with that they believe so that some intellectuals believe of course why because you know the message is a spiritual message. It's not that the message is opposed to an intellectual not at all so can we share the gospel to an intellectual person a philosopher and all of course we can. How do we tailor make the message for them we don't have to tailor make anything to share the gospel as it is but of course without giving any offense. And if you want to contextualize it to them then you know a little bit about what they believe and then you can share it in a nice way. Will it resonate with somebody who is an intellectual or a philosopher it will because every human being is a spiritual being. So we don't have to sit and argue you know concept after concept. Oh this is what you believe. Okay let me tell you Bible chapter was it says don't do like this. Okay now tell me what next. We don't have to sit and argue every philosophy every thought. How did Paul minister contextualize but he was focused on the gospel even argue with anybody. And the moment he shared the gospel they were not willing he understood. Okay some of them their hearts are closed so he is departed and some of them whose hearts are open they receive. So you see every city is different every set of people is different. Okay and every approach is different but the core of it is we care for the people we love the people we want them to know Jesus. So you bring the message in that way and when you have done your part you know Paul had done his part. He had given his servant on Areopagus now he moves on to the next place so city after city city to city right he is moving on. Now let's see which is the next place where he goes so from acts 17 we are going to acts 18. Okay so if you all have anything to ask you just stop me no problem. I'll ask I'll answer your question I'm continuing because I don't want to waste your time by giving long pauses. But definitely I would like to share my thoughts if you have any questions so please just pitch in unmute yourself and ask are you okay so far is it too fast too much information. Okay it's okay yeah yeah okay great great let's move on let's move on let's go to the next city where does Paul go. Now remember Silas Timothy he was waiting for that but it looks like you know they haven't joined the scene yet. Okay so he is moving on he finished his job at Athens next stop next stop is Corrin I showed you the region of Akea remember Akea Corrin. So he comes after Athens he goes to Corrin. Who does he find here you see Paul is not visiting alone there are brethren there are other believers there are people who are also serving God. So here here in Corrin he comes across a wonderful couple he found their Jews he found a certain Jew by the name of Aquila. Okay and he found you know this couple Aquila was married to a lady Priscilla and we understand that Priscilla was from an influential family. Okay and so that's something that we learn about them now this couple will see that they will continue on with Paul for some time and they you know they have an influence over the church of Corrin. So he meets this couple and we are not you know very sure whether they were already believers or the Paul led them to Christ but they became Paul's good teammates so that much we know. So he meets his Jews they had actually come from Rome. So at that point you know there was some command it was given by Claudius he had asked the Jews to leave Rome. Okay and which is why they left Italy and now they are spending time in Corrin and that's where Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla. How did they connect we are told that they have the same trade what was Paul's trade Paul was a tent weaker and so was Aquila and Priscilla. So they worked together and they they kind of served also together. Now in Corinth in Athens what did he do he went to the prominent place which is Mars Hill, Aeropagus and where he shared the message but in Corinth there were a lot of Jews. So where does he go he's called the way of ministering is he goes to the place where he can share that is the synagogue so he goes to the synagogue every Sabbath we are told in Corinth and he makes his effort. He's persuading both the Jews and the Greeks or he's trying to convince so looks like you know he had to pull out sculptures from the Old Testament that he had to confirm and say this is the Messiah he has food with these these promises so on and so forth. So he's trying to convince or persuade both the Jews and the Greeks in the synagogues and while he is in Corinth he has people joining him. This is his team. Remember Silas and Timothy they were left behind in veria. So now they are joining they come from Macedonia and we joined Paul and Paul was continually he was compelled by the spirit and he was testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. The gospel is being preached to the people in Corinth. Did all of them respond to Paul that's the question everywhere because he's preaching but what is the response you've seen the response in different cities you know. In Thessalonica literally they wanted to throw him out so they even attacked the person who is giving him place Jason what is going to happen in Corinth. He finds opposition in Corinth. Okay so we are told that these Jews they opposed him and they blaspheme. Meaning they would have said things up against him and also you know against God. So he shook his garments and he said to them so he got very upset with these Corinthian Jews and he said something like your blood be upon your own heads I am clean for now on I will go to the Gentiles. You see that you know Paul generally does that in the cities if the Jews are not going to listen and in this case we find the bigger blaspheme before they would have said things against God. So he's very upset and he says okay fine you don't want to listen I will go to the Jews. The one other thing that we must understand about Corinth a little bit more background we saw Athens is a philosophical city you know very interested in learning new things that is Athens for you. Corinth in those times was a prominent city but it was also a sinful city it was known for its sin whenever they use the term Corinthian a Corinthian had a bad connotation attached to it so there was a lot of sexual immorality in the city. And this could also be because of the God I think the God they worshiped was Aphrodite so they worshiped this God and their temple prostitutes and there was a lot of sexual immorality in the city so it was a hard city for Paul. And that also we have to understand it's a prominent city it's important but the identity of the city is it's a sinful city also. So just have all this background in mind and over here he's meeting some good fellow workers in Aquila, Priscilla, thankfully the team is larger and Silas and Timothy also come in join them over here. Then he faces opposition and so he decides okay fine these Jews are not going to listen I'm just going to go and minister to the Gentiles so he departs and he enters the house of a man named Justice one who worshipped God whose house was next door to the synagogue so lightly that this is a Gentile. And at that time the ruler of the synagogue was a man called Crispus okay and he at his household believed in God so you see here that the leader of the Jews so ruler of the synagogue, a Jewish guy, Crispus, quite pleased believing in what Paul is preaching but what about the other Jews in the synagogue? Obviously they did not believe they were opposing so it's it's quite upsetting for Paul but he's also ministering to justice who is a Gentile person who's outside so God is blessing his ministry that much we can say that God is definitely blessing his ministry. So Gentiles are believing Jews are believing okay so that is a good sign so we are a good sign but at the same time there is opposition so a man like Paul what can we expect you know do we expect him to become discouraged both the things are happening. People are believing there's a lot of opposition also definitely Paul was discouraged okay he was discouraged in current and also we don't know maybe he found it hard ground you know sometimes you look at certain places and you think how in the world are these people going to believe God. So he seems to have been in a very discouraged situation okay can this happen to missionaries today can this happen to pastors today why not the minister looks hard these people are not responding and on the other hand some of them are opposing how to take this now. So he was in a hard and a difficult situation in the city of Corinth so you look at the goodness of God in verse 9 we see here the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision God is encouraging Paul when he is facing opposition and what is God saying God is saying do not be afraid but speak and do not keep silent for I am with you and no one will attack you to hurt you. For I have many people in the city so the encouragement came from God and God told him that there are people in the city who will support you and at the same time you know I want you to have the assurance that it may seem like you are the only one who is serving and doing the ministry but you know what Paul I am with you do you remember this I am with you. We find it even in the Old Testament God used to say to somebody I can think of Joshua my God said be strong be very courageous I am with you so it is God's way of encouraging his his soldier his minister so God encourages Paul in the midst of very very difficult ministry here. And he noticed that he continued therefore a year and six months so how long how long did he teach in Corinth one and a half years one and a half years was it easy for Paul obviously no it was difficult to the extent. Sorry that God had to speak about his encouragement for strengthening Paul's heart so in this way he continues to do the ministry and while he was doing the ministry you know what we choose well still upset with him. And at one point what did they do they rose up and brought in to the judgment seat. Okay so far has this happened it has happened in a different way in every city over here they bring into the the in charge. Yeah at that point there was a man called Gallio who was the procurator. Remember I told you the region of Akea so Gallio is in charge they bring Paul to him. And then you know they start accusing him at the judgment seat they say this fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. So what is the offense now what is Paul's offense he is disregarding the law of the land that is what they are saying. Okay so you know what people just wanted to catch him was he really speaking something against the law of the land we'll find out. So when this accusation comes Paul was about to say something to defend himself because obviously he doesn't look like he had a lawyer officer over here. He still is about to say something but Gallio replies to the Jews based on this accusation.   For that reason if you were to bring this man to me and yes you know I can deal with the situation. But if this is a question of words and names and your own law so Gallio understood these Jews have something against Paul because of his faith and his belief. Which was you know the Jews felt that what Paul was preaching was contrary to what they were proclaiming. So Gallio says look if it is about religion if it is about faith and belief because I don't see any crime this man has not done any crime. It's not about any wrongdoing it's about faith and words and names and all of these things your own law or your beliefs. Basically he says I don't want to judge such matters like don't waste my time this is not a this is a quote for judging wrongdoing not faith and belief. So he drives them out of the judgment seat and they are so upset the people are so upset when this happens when Gallio is not listening to them that they beat up a man called Sosthenes who is the ruler of the synagogue just to create some commotion. So that Gallio will understand that they are so upset and that he will say ok ok come back come back everyone let's talk about Paul and you know let's judge him. They just try to create a scene but God gives an escape for Paul through the answer of Gallio you know sometimes God can work even through the words of the leaders. It's amazing Paul would have never expected even Paul was thinking ok what shall I say how shall I escape but what did God do for Paul. It's a supernatural escape did we see it's not like an angel came and took him out of the city or anything like that but not put it in Gallio's heart to not take up this case. And so Paul escaped and that's how our works you remember even Gamaliel and Peter was under trial he said look if it is God you can't stop and Gamaliel was an influential voice at that time and because Gamaliel said that he abills listen to him and said ok leave it if it is God we can't stop it right but if it is man it will come to an end but I told him today 8 about 9 years of the early church he could not stop and what's happening now it's continuing the work is continuing. So it is God and his work is continuing so sometimes God can even work in the hearts of the leaders and an escape came for Paul in Corinth through Gallio's answer. So now Paul he stayed in Corinth for some time did good work who else is with him you have Aquila, Priscilla, you have Silas, Timothy right so all are doing good ministry. We just saw that Gentiles believing we saw the ruler of the synagogue believing who else believe we don't have the DMs here but obviously they are staying for one and a half years and doing ministry there must be a good church over there. Remember he later writes to the Corinthians so there is a church the Corinthian church and it's a thriving church so they are doing ministry there. So after he stayed for a good while and he leaves that place we are told and he says sales to Syria and Priscilla and Aquila where they also went along with him. He had his head cut off and said, he had taken a vow. So you find that Paul takes on the vow. Why is he taking on the vow? One of the reasons why he was taking on the vow is those as part of the Jewish traditions they used to take a vow. And you know it is likely that he wanted to prove to the Jews that he was not disregarding the Jewish traditions. Now by following this vow and all that did it make for a better Christian? Not necessarily because we know. Of course when we say that okay God I am going to do this we have to keep our word the Bible encourages us to do that. But we don't have any rule that says you have to take vows you have to follow these traditions. There is no such thing in scripture or for the Christian in the new covenant. So why is Paul doing it? The main reason could be that he wants to show that he is not disregarding the Jews or the Jewish traditions. He is as much a Jew as anyone else. So he is basically showing his honor for the Jewish culture and he is saying that just because I believe in Jesus the good parts of the Jewish traditions. It's not that I am dishonoring them not at all. In fact I am keeping and upholding them. So that could be one reason why Paul is taking up this vow. Another thing some people speculate and say that living in Corinth was a very hard thing for Paul. It was a simple city. It was a city with opposition and hatred against him and with doing ministry there was tough. And also maybe the Corinthians just deciding that would have been a tough task for Paul. So there is a symbol of his consecration to God surrounded by synodicity. But maybe he just wanted an act of consecration to strengthen his faith. So he takes on a vow. That could be another reason why he actually took that vow. So he goes to Sechria and then he takes up a vow. In that vow what they would do is they would generally go to Jerusalem. They would keep some rules and then finally they would go to Jerusalem and end the vow there. So now you would find that Paul is making a journey to Jerusalem because he has taken the vow. So in Sechria he cut off his hair and then he comes to Ephesus. Remember at 16 he wanted to go to Ephesus but Holy Spirit forbid him. So he went to Macedonia. It's all about the timing. Was God saying no? You cannot go to Asia. You cannot go to Ephesus. Was God saying no? I'm shutting the door on you? No. Basically in the way that God was leading him, God was saying this is not the right time. At the right time you can go to Asia. So now is the right time. As part of the end of the Second Visionary Journey he touches Ephesus. He leaves a steam where he enters the synagogue and he reasons for the Jews. Is he ministering in Ephesus during the Second Visionary Journey? Yes. But not for a long period of time. You find that people ask him. They say Paul, please stay back. He says no, no, I can't. And he didn't stay back but he took leave and he was hurrying up to go for the feast in Jerusalem. So he is rushing to Jerusalem to complete his vow. But he gives them a word and he says don't buy it. People in Ephesus will come back. But notice how he says it. He says God willing, God willing I will come back. And he sailed from Ephesus. So then he landed at Caesarea. He greeted the church there and he goes to Antioch. Finally he goes to Antioch and he spends some time in Antioch because remember it's his base church. He spends time there and he went over the region of Galatia and Fragia in order strengthening all the disciples. So that seems to be the way he makes this journey. So let me quickly, once again, just for the sake of our understanding. Let's have a look at the Second Visionary Journey map. It will be very clear in our minds. This is the Second Visionary Journey. So we started in Antioch. Went to all these places. Did not do any ministry in Asia. But went off to Macedonia. Some of the cities over here. You remember Berya, Philippi Berya, Thessalonica. Come to the region of Achaea. Go to Aethan, sorry. And then call him.  Then he is rushing. He goes to Ephesus. He ministers a little bit. But they say, oh please stay back for all. He says, no, no, no. I need to go right now to keep the peace. So he is going off to Caesarea. Caesarea, Jerusalem going back to Antioch. So completed this Second Visionary Journey. Three years of time to complete this entire journey. And we have seen different types of cities. We have seen different types of people turning to the gospel. Turning to Christ. We have seen opposition. We have seen open hearts. So what an experience. We have seen addition of team members. We have seen the church planting a strategy where you go, find a place where you can share the message. The best place where you can share the message. So generally it is the synagogues. But in Aethans it was Mars Hill or Aeropagas where he shares the word. Once people come to Christ, teach them somehow about the word of God.  The place where he stayed the longest as of now is one year, six months. He stays there and he goes ahead and completes the Second Visionary Journey. So that is what we have seen so far. I hope we have understood and remember these things because we are going to look at new things as we go forward. Okay, come on. Let's see what happens next. So Second Visionary Journey, we have understood beautifully. Now, excuse me. So Paul, he has completed his Visionary Journey. However, you see these people who had joined Aquila and Priscilla, they stayed back at Ephesus. So who did he leave behind in Ephesus to take care of the believers there? Looks like Aquila and Priscilla. They end up meeting a man by the name of Apollos. This man, something very special about him, the description about him itself is inspiring. We are told he was born in Alexandria, an eloquent man. Elegant is when somebody can just speak. You know, the language flows, there is clarity, there is knowledge, there is understanding in what that person says. Elegant man, mighty in the scriptures. So seems like a personality similar to Paul, well-read, eloquent man. Somebody who is mighty in scriptures, he comes to Ephesus. To this man, he was preaching, he was ministering, you know, as led by God. He was something beautiful about him as he's learned it. But at the same time, he's fervent in spirit. So he's also passionate. What a combination, isn't it? It's like you know the scriptures, you understand, you're well equipped in the things of God. That is one thing. Well equipped and lacking passion. You know, sometimes that's not a good combination. But imagine somebody who's well equipped and passionate. So, Apollos is one such man. Okay, energetic, passionate, knows God's word really well. So, a similar personality like Paul and Aquila and Priscilla meet him and he taught the scriptures accurately is what we are told. So, when he started preaching and sharing the synagogues, Aquila and Priscilla, they hear him out. They hear his message. But they realize that there are certain things that he does not know yet. Now, what are all those matters which they needed to teach him that we don't know but see what it says. It says, Aquila and Priscilla heard him. They took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. So, mentoring, equipping. So, is it possible that there are foreign believers who don't understand God's word thoroughly? See, we are not saying that someone else knows God's word thoroughly. That's not the point. But, you know, there is a revelation that Aquila and Priscilla had about crying steps. Maybe the baptism in the Holy Spirit. You know, a couple of other things which they felt Apollos doesn't have.  Let's teach him. So, you see how ministers are equipping other ministers. What a beautiful thing. Instead of getting jealous, what an introduction we saw about Apollos. Like eloquent man, teaching taught accurately. Aquila and Priscilla could have become jealous of Apollos but that was not the case. Instead, what they decided, they decided, this is a good person. How about we teach him the things that are lacking in his understanding. So, they taken aside, they teach him the way of God more accurately. And then, this Apollos, he desires to cross Akaya and, you know, they kind of, and then he decide to cross to Akaya. So, he wants to go to Akaya. Remember, Ephesus is in Asia. We've seen that in the map. But he wants to go by calling this. Obviously, we know that he ministered there in the Corinthian church. So, when he wants to go, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him. And when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace. So, he goes to minister. But how did they send him? They send him with a good word. A letter says, okay, we know Apollos. He is a good minister. Welcome here. Be hospitable to him and receive from him. And he goes to Akaya and he does a good ministry there. We are told he vigorously reputed the Jews publicly, showing from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. It wasn't an easy job at all. But Apollos was the right man for that job. And he went to a place like Corinth. He already saw difficult place. Even Paul found it difficult. But he went there. When Paul was not by God, you know how Paul later, when he writes to the Corinthian church, he says, Apollos, what? I planted Apollos water. So God allows us to step into one another's work. But it's all about the kingdom of God. Okay. So with that, let's close off. I think we have covered quite a bit in today's sessions. We pray and we close. And then we'll come back and pick up from at chapter 19. It's going to be even more interesting. Okay. So I just request one person to please pray, either Dave or Kiran, because I didn't already pray it. Okay ma'am, I'll pray. Yeah, please. Thank you. Father, we thank you for this class. We thank you that you've been with us, even though we have some difficulties. But we thank you that you've been gracious to us and have learned from this work. Okay, thank you. We've seen your work through Apollos and Silas and how you've done your ministry in all those areas. So Jesus, we thank you. All this act is interesting for each one of us. So that we can learn even more from your work how to do your ministry and how to work accordingly. Yes, we thank you for this time. We ask you and the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Dave. God bless you all and have a wonderful day. Thank you, Pastor. Thank you. Bye.


Good afternoon. For those who are new, I'm Dr. Theron Sherman, and in today's briefing, we will be studying SCP-6343. There doesn't seem to be any objectionable material in this document, so let's begin. Item number SCP-6343 Object Class, Neutralized Special Containment Procedures SCP-6343's containment cell is to be monitored by one guard at all times. Changes in the behavior of SCP-6343 are to be reported to site staff. No attempts to open or otherwise access SCP-6343 are to be made until further notice. Note, as of February 2, 2021, SCP-6343 is considered neutralized. Description SCP-6343 is a large rectangular container comprised of an anomalously strong form of glass and a wooden base. A small locked hatch is located on the back of SCP-6343, although all attempts to open it have failed. A metal plaque is attached to the base of SCP-6343, with the words, the amazing non-existing beast present on its surface. Several objects are contained within SCP-6343. A wooden chair, a pair of shackles both bolted to the floor, two metal bowls, both exhibiting signs of previously containing unidentified forms of meat and water respectively. A key, thought to be used to open the hatch on the back of SCP-6343, although this cannot be tested due to the keys currently unreachable location. The objects within SCP-6343 are commonly moved and struck against the walls in a violent manner, and all show signs of severe damage. Notably, the shackles are in motion near the floor at most times. Noise regularly originates from SCP-6343, including muffled vocalizations and banging on its glass walls. Recovery SCP-6343 was recovered in a recently abandoned pawn shop in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A note was found taped onto the subject's exterior, which read as follows.  No wonder that guy was in such a hurry to get rid of it. For some reason, the door thingy locked itself automatically. Could you call someone to get it open? Thanks! The following is a log of all reported behavior of SCP-6343 during its containment period. February 11, 2021. Object is first contained. February 11, 2021. Muffled yelling, banging on glass. Noises ceased at 11.37 p.m. February 12, 2021. Previous day's behavior resumes. Metal bowls are interacted with. Food waste and water droplets within the bowls appear to de-manifest via unknown means. All behavior ceases at 10.49 p.m. February 13, 2021. Previous day's behavior resumes. Objects now being violently thrown and struck against walls. Behavior ceases at 8.21 p.m. February 14, 2021. Behavior resumes with much less frequency. Vocalizations are reported to sound much less aggressive in tone. Ceases at 5.44 p.m. February 15, 2021. Behavior resumes later than normal. Now exclusively consists of infrequent moaning. Ceases at 1.30 p.m. February 16, 2021. No activity until 9.29 a.m., when a loud thump is heard from SCP-6343. Shackles and chair are removed from their prior position. All anomalous activity from within SCP-6343 has ceased since February 16, 2021, and the glass comprising its walls was able to be easily broken the following day, with the exception of the previously mentioned objects. Nothing was found inside. Thank you for listening.  Please become a patron or visit our merch store at the link in our bio to support our work. Secure. Contain. Protect.