“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.’” Acts 18:6 NIV
Many of the Jews persisted in contradiction to the Gospel of Christ and would not yield to the strongest of reasonings nor persuasions. Not only were they resolved to not believe it themselves, but they did all that they could to prevent others from believing the Gospel too.
Paul had done his part; he spoke the Gospel truth to them, provided them with warning, and after all attempted methods, it was all in vain. Though he was able to clear his own conscience and deliver his own soul in his attempt, he was not prevailing in delivering their souls.
Having given over the Jews, Paul does not give over his work – “I will go to the Gentiles.” It was in his devotion to Christ and his devotion for all to believe, that this protest and rejection from the Jews could not stop him. He was compelled by the Spirit and not his own ambitions. After the Lord spoke to Paul telling him to stay, “Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.” (Verse 11)
May our devotion to serve come from the Holy Spirit and not our own personal ambitions. For it is the power of the Holy Spirit that provides us with the energy needed to continue, particularly when faced with opposition, and even persecution, as in the case with Paul.
Lock Your Wings 
“He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.”
Acts of the Apostles 18:25-26 NLT
Two hard things:
1. Being criticized.
2. Changing because of constructive criticism.
Yet Apollos did both: accepted correction and became even better through it. May we also seek to change in a humble way and become even better and more knowledgeable than we think we are.
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