Almost 2,000 years ago the Paul, the Apostle, traveled to the city of Corinth in what is now Greece and founded a Christian church there. That city still exists. Paul loved and obeyed Jesus dearly.

1. Paul in Corinth
Actual, well-preserved, realistic
historical events accurately
establishing reliable facts about the
growth of the Christian Church.

2. Corinth, Greece, Today

3. Ancient Corinth Found
video

4. Acts 18:1-17
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of
Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all
Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he
stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews
and Greeks.
When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching,
testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed Paul and became abusive,
he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am
innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.
Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the
Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this
city.” So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought
him to the place of judgment. “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in
ways contrary to the law.”
Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about
some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it
involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not
be a judge of such things.” So he drove them off. Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the
synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.

5. Paul wrote 2 letters to Corinth
I Corinthians 1:1-2
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will
of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in
Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together
with all those everywhere who call on the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.

6. I Corinthians 16
Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of
every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that
when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the
men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will
accompany me.
After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. Perhaps I will stay
with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do
not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and
there are many who oppose me.
When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of
the Lord, just as I am. No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he
may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.
Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to
go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves
to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, to submit to such people and to everyone
who joins in the work and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because
they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve
recognition.
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and
so does the church that meets at their house. All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one
another with a holy kiss.
I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come,
Lord! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

7. Paul Saw Jesus
I Corinthians 9:1-3
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not
seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of
my work in the Lord? Even though I may not
be an apostle to others, surely I am to you!
For you are the seal of my apostleship in the
Lord.
This is my defense to those who sit in
judgment on me.

8. Paul tells Details of the Life of Jesus
I Corinthians 11:17-26
In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more
harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a
church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt
there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s
approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat,
for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As
a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. Don’t you have
homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating
those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not
in this matter!
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the
night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and
said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the
same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in
my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever
you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he
comes.

9. The common Muslim view of Paul
• He deceived the church.
• He hijacked Christianity.
• He never presents the life of Jesus.
• As we’ve seen, these assertions aren’t true.

10. We start with the end of the story:
We believe Jesus is the Savior
because He died for our sins on the
cross and the rose from the dead.
But every story has a beginning:
Christmas!