Paul and Silas in Thessalonica
Acts 17
1Paul and Silas traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to
Thessalonica where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2Paul went into the
synagogue as he always did, and on each Sabbath day for three weeks, he talked
with the Jews about the Scriptures. 3He explained and proved that the Christ must
die and then rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I am telling you about is the
Christ.” 4Some of the Jews were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, along with
many of the Greeks who worshiped God and many of the important women.
5But the Jews became jealous. So they got some evil men from the
marketplace, formed a mob, and started a riot. They ran to Jason’s house, looking
for Paul and Silas, wanting to bring them out to the people. 6But when they did
not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers to the leaders of the
city. The people were yelling, “These people have made trouble everywhere in
the world, and now they have come here too! 7Jason is keeping them in his house.
All of them do things against the laws of Caesar, saying there is another king,
called Jesus.”
8When the people and the leaders of the city heard these things, they became
very upset. 9They made Jason and the others put up a sum of money. Then they
let the believers go free.
Paul and Silas Go to Berea
10That same night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea where they went
to the Jewish synagogue. 11These Jews were more willing to listen than the Jews
in Thessalonica. The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and
studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true. 12So, many
of them believed, as well as many important Greek women and men. 13But the
Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea,
too. So they came there, upsetting the people and making trouble. 14The believers
quickly sent Paul away to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. 15The
people leading Paul went with him to Athens. Then they carried a message from
Paul back to Silas and Timothy for them to come to him as soon as they could.
Paul Preaches in Athens
16While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he was troubled
because he saw that the city was full of idols. 17In the synagogue, he talked with
the Jews and the Greeks who worshiped God. He also talked every day with
people in the marketplace.
18Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him, saying,
“This man doesn’t know what he is talking about. What is he trying to say?”
Others said, “He seems to be telling us about some other gods,” because Paul was
telling them about Jesus and his rising from the dead. 19They got Paul and took
him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said, “Please explain to us this
new idea you have been teaching. 20The things you are saying are new to us, and
we want to know what this teaching means.” 21(All the people of Athens and
those from other countries who lived there always used their time to talk about
the newest ideas.)
22Then Paul stood before the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “People of
Athens, I can see you are very religious in all things. 23As I was going through
your city, I saw the objects you worship. I found an altar that had these words
written on it: TO A GOD WHO IS NOT KNOWN. You worship a god that you
don’t know, and this is the God I am telling you about! 24The God who made the
whole world and everything in it is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not
live in temples built by human hands. 25This God is the One who gives life,
breath, and everything else to people. He does not need any help from them; he
has everything he needs. 26God began by making one person, and from him came
all the different people who live everywhere in the world. God decided exactly
when and where they must live. 27God wanted them to look for him and perhaps
search all around for him and find him, though he is not far from any of us: 28‘We
live in him. We walk in him. We are in him.’ Some of your own poets have said:
‘For we are his children.’ 29Since we are God’s children, you must not think that
God is like something that people imagine or make from gold, silver, or rock. 30In
the past, people did not understand God, and he ignored this. But now, God tells
all people in the world to change their hearts and lives. 31God has set a day that
he will judge all the world with fairness, by the man he chose long ago. And God
has proved this to everyone by raising that man from the dead!”
32When the people heard about Jesus being raised from the dead, some of
them laughed. But others said, “We will hear more about this from you later.”
33So Paul went away from them. 34But some of the people believed Paul and
joined him. Among those who believed was Dionysius, a member of the
Areopagus, a woman named Damaris, and some others.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version
SITUATION
Banished from Philippi, Paul and his companions visited the cities of Thessalonica and Athens. In both places Paul boldly testified to the saving grace of God.
OBSERVATION
When we speak about Jesus, we should understand our audience well.
INSPIRATION
The prevailing world-view denies the existence of absolute truth. So when the Christian message, which is essentially historical and propositional, is proclaimed, modern listeners hear what they interpret as simply one person's preference - another autonomous human choice of lifestyle or belief ....
What does this tell us?...
To evangelize today we must address the human condition at its point of felt need - conscience, guilt, dealing with others, finding a purpose for staying alive....
So we must be familiar enough with the prevailing world-view to look for points of contact and discern points of disagreement.
It is no different then if you or I were talking with a Hindu for example, about issues of life and religion. We wouldn’t assume that he or she was coming from a Judeo-Christian perspective. We would start from the Hindu presuppositions about the world, probe their world-view find the points of contact and, concern, and then begin to challenge or question those presuppositions. Only then could we begin to present our case effectively...
Our handy prepackaged God-talk won't do. Before we tell them what the Bible says, we may have to tell them why they should believe the Bible (there is a great case to be made). And we need a Christian apologetic that doesn't just make the case for us; it must touch the chords within our unbelieving friends and neighbors and begin to alter their view of reality. (From The Body by Charles Colson)
APPLICATION
When you were introduced to the faith, what kind of testimony intrigued you? Is there someone in your life who may be in the same situation you were in? How can you share with them what you have found? If there is no one, find a circle of friends where you can share what Christ has done for you.
EXPLORATION
God Communicates - Isaiah 1:1; Daniel 5:5-28; Matthew 1:20; :12-13; 3:13-17; Luke 1:13, 30; :10; Acts 18:9; Hebrews 1:1-2.
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