Acts 18:8 - Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.

Generated Verse: Acts 18:8

What does "Acts 18:8" mean?


Acts 18:8 is a powerful verse that demonstrates the spread of Christianity and the impact of Paul's ministry in Corinth. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue...": Crispus was a prominent figure in the Jewish community of Corinth. Being the "ruler of the synagogue" meant he was likely a leader responsible for overseeing worship services and the administration of the synagogue. His conversion was significant because it meant a prominent Jewish leader was acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah.

"...believed in the Lord with all his house.": Crispus not only believed in Jesus personally, but his entire household (family and likely servants) also came to faith. This indicates a profound transformation within his family and highlights the communal nature of faith in the early church. Decisions about religion often affected the whole household in that culture.

"Many of the Corinthians, when they heard...": Paul's preaching and the example of Crispus' conversion had a wide impact. "Many" Corinthians, both Jews and Gentiles, heard the Gospel message and were convinced of its truth.

"...believed and were baptized.": These Corinthians not only intellectually accepted the message but also demonstrated their faith through baptism. Baptism was a public declaration of their commitment to Christ and a symbolic cleansing of their past life. It was a key part of the conversion process in the early church.

In summary, Acts 18:8 highlights the following key points:

Impact of leadership: Crispus' conversion was particularly influential because of his position in the community. His example likely encouraged others to consider Christianity.
Household conversions: Families and households were often converted together, reflecting the social and communal nature of faith in the ancient world.
Wide reach of the Gospel: Paul's ministry was effective in Corinth, reaching a diverse population and leading many to faith.
Action and commitment: Belief was not just intellectual assent but was followed by baptism, a public act of commitment to Jesus Christ.

The verse illustrates the power of the Gospel to transform lives and communities. It demonstrates how faith can spread through personal testimony, leadership, and the work of the Holy Spirit.