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Act 18:8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household.
And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

Paul took the chief ruler with him. Crispus is one of the two most influential people to be born
again in Corinth. The other is Sosthenes (verse 17). The Corinthians “hearing, believed.” You
must hear to believe (Romans 10:13-15). Paul baptized Crispus and Gaius, but the rest of the
converts are baptized by others (1 Corinthians 1:14).

PAUL’S VISION

Act 18:9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and
do not keep silent;

This verse emphasizes the tremendous pressure Paul faces in court. He is being criticized by the
Jewish leaders, and the people are being told that Paul is only there for money, which they
believe. Even though there are great victories each day, Paul has become discouraged.

Often during or after a great victory, times of discouragement come. It is an occupational
hazard in the ministry. But the word of the Lord is always there to deliver us. Usually God will
minister to us through someone (maybe receiving a nice letter from a congregational member
or from someone outside the church). In this particular instance, the Lord Himself comforts
Paul. The ministry of the Holy Spirit comes to Paul by a vision of Jesus and assures him he is not
alone. Jesus is with him and so are many believers in Corinth. Paul is apparently disturbed and
upset with his recent time of discouragement and cannot sleep. The Lord comes to him by
night in a vision to tell him of the great victories he will see in the next eighteen months.

Paul has also become fearful (Isaiah 41:10). Apparently some of the converts are accusing Paul
of being in the ministry for money, and he becomes hesitant to speak about money or to
receive an offering for fear of the opinions of people. He is probably overly cautious because of
fear. God assures Paul the Word would go forth without fear of man. The book of 2
Corinthians becomes a defense for the arguments made against Paul.

ACCUSATIONS AGAINST PAUL

1. Walks according to the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:2).
2. Writes powerful letters, but is a coward in person (2 Corinthians 10:2).
3. In the ministry for money (2 Corinthians 8:20-23; 11:7-8).
4. Not one of the original apostles, no credentials (2 Corinthians 3:1; 11:5; 12:11-12).
5. Is boastful (2 Corinthians 10:8, 15).
6. Is deceitful (2 Corinthians 12:16).

Act 18:10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in
this city."