Acts 17
-As the team moves out from Philippi they go through
Amphipolis and Apollonia (two good sized cities but apparently without a synagogue
to connect the gospel with) coming into a city where there was a synagogue of
the Jews, Thessalonica. As was the custom, Paul began with the Jews reasoning
with them for several weeks of Sabbaths from the Scriptures concerning Jesus as
Messiah preaching the suffering of Immanuel and His resurrection. *Application*
This has always been how God has worked. He begins with His people in His plan
for salvation. The Old Testament focuses primarily on the Hebrew people, who
were chosen as His instruments for bringing Jesus the Savior into the world.
Jesus was primarily concerned for “the lost sheep of Israel” in His earthly
ministry (Matthew 15:24). Even the church begins with the Jewish people in the
proclamation of the gospel. So salvation and its message begins with the Jews
and extends outward to all the nations (Luke 24:47). We need to thank God for
His willingness to include all of us in His plan for redemption and His
impartiality (Deuteronomy 10:17, Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11, Galatians 2:6,
Ephesians 6:9).
-Once again we see the conflict that the message of Christ
brings eventually with those being confronted with the truth of God. Jealousy
springs forth from the unbelieving Jews and a mob scene ensues in an attack on
the house of Jason who had welcomed the disciples. The famous quote is
mentioned here, “These men who have upset the world (inhabited earth) have come
here also (Acts 17:6b).” *Application* May we have the courage, boldness, and
tenacity to “upset” our world with the message of Christ Jesus. In other places
of Scripture we see why this message was not accepted right away. The cross was
the barrier along with unbelief. To the Jews the Messiah would perform signs
and wonders and leave no doubt about His Kingdom. Jesus became a stumbling
block for them because they could not see the humility of their Messiah. To the
Greeks this criminal that was hanged on a cross showed no wisdom and power that
they were accustomed to seeing in their saviors. For more read 1 Corinthians
1:18-31.
-The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas out of
Thessalonica to Berea, where there was another synagogue of the Jews. “Now
these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the
word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these
things were so (Acts 17:11).” Actual reading of God’s word and letting the
Spirit of God move how He wanted is what led many to believe here in Berea.
*Application* How eager are we to get into God’s Word and examine the
Scriptures daily to find His truth?
-Trouble comes from the raging Jews in Thessalonica pretty
quickly and Paul departs for Athens, the great city of Greece, which was full
of idols. As Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive he observed the city
of great prominence and prestige in regard to philosophical debate. He was reasoning
with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles in the synagogue and the market place
every day. Eventually Paul is given an open door to speak in the Areopagus about
the salvation message of Christ Jesus. This he does in brilliant fashion as we get
perhaps the best biblical glimpse of his artistry and form for presenting the good
news. He connects with his crowd by observation of their worldview and quoting their
own poets. He preached repentance and judgment and the righteousness of Christ to
save furnishing proof through the resurrection from the dead. Some rejected the
message and mocked, but some believed and wanted to hear more from this stranger.
*Application* Here is the best biblical example of assimilation into a culture for
the missionary purpose. If we are to evangelize an area, any area home or foreign,
we must be observant and relevant to the culture we are engaging. Otherwise, our
message will have no impact. Notice too that Paul does not compromise the gospel
in any form or fashion. He speaks the truth boldly with no concession.
Verses to Memorize:
Acts 17:11, 30-31
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