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It almost feels like we are going too fast through Acts. There is so much information to absorb. The big thing that stood out to me was brought to my attention by one of the notes in my Bible regarding Acts 18:14-16:
Gallio, Proconsul of Achaia, made an important judicial decision for the spreading of the Gospel in the Roman empire. Judaism was a recognized religion under Roman law. As long as Christians were seen as part of Judaism, the court refused to hear cases brought against them. If they had claimed to be a new religion, they could easily have been outlawed by the government. In effect Gallio was saying, “I don’t understand all your terminology and finer points of theology. Handle the matter and don’t bother me.”
Because of Gallio’s decision, Christianity was able to grow under the radar for a little while longer. It wasn’t until later persecution increased that the early church had to be more cautious. It is important to understand our heritage as Christians to truly appreciate what God has done to get us here.
Daily Devotion 
Interesting! I didn’t know that.
I, too, feel like we are just blazing through, but that’s OK. Still getting some good stuff. What keeps striking me over and over is the fact that most of these people who begin to follow the Lord continue in the trade they were previously in. Save for the folks who felt specifically called to be Apostles and those who were engaged in witchcraft, prostitution etc…the rest continued their lives and business as before except now they were followers of Christ. I love Lydia’s story, because she was probably a fairly wealthy and successful business woman. She would be considered today a successful fashion designer…and she continued in that business. The jailer continued in his job. They didn’t join a Christian ghetto. Yes, they had a community of believers for support, but they continued their lives in the world that God had placed them. We would do well to remember that.
I also notice over and over the account that “many important women” believed. Rather culturally progressive of them to mention women at all, let alone reveal that many of them were important in the community and were vital to the spread of Christianity.