Acts Bible Study: Day 27
Today’s passage: Acts 17
Focus verse: But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. (Acts 17:13)
Paul and his team make their way to Thessalonica. For three Sabbaths they go to the synagogue.
Using the Scriptures, they explain about Jesus and how he had to die and rise again. Some Jews decide to follow Jesus, as well as many God-fearing Greeks.
Some other Jews, however, are jealous of Paul’s influence and seek to make trouble for him. They round up some scoundrels, form a mob, and start a riot. Looking for Paul and Silas, they search Jason’s house. Paul and Silas aren’t there.
Instead the mob grabs Jason and some of the other believers, dragging them before the city leaders and accusing them of being insurgents. Confusion abounds.
The city leaders make Jason and the others post bond. Then they let them go. That night Paul and Silas sneak out of town.
They head to Berea. Again, they go to the Jewish synagogue. Luke writes that the people of Berea have a nobler character.
When they hear the message of Jesus, they open the Scriptures to make sure that what Paul and Silas say is true. It is. Many Jews believe, along with many Greeks.
But word gets back to the Jews in Thessalonica. They go to Berea to agitate the crowds and stir up more trouble for Paul and his team.
The focus of the Jews’ angst, Paul leaves town right away. Once Paul is safe, he sends word for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
The three reunite in Athens. The city’s full of idol worship, which troubles Paul. In the synagogue and in the marketplace, he tells everyone about Jesus and tries to persuade them to follow Jesus.
Paul even references one of their altars, dedicated to “an unknown god.” He uses it as a springboard to tell them about God, creation, and judgment, with justice coming through Jesus, proved by him rising from the dead.
Though some of the people sneer at the idea of rising from the dead, others believe in Jesus.
In Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens, Paul and his crew endure hostility as they tell others about Jesus, but more people believe anyway. Sometimes suffering accompanies results.
Questions:
- How much are we willing to endure to see the kingdom of God grow?
- What things can we do to help it grow?
[Discover more about what Paul is willing to do to win people to Jesus in 1 Corinthians 9:19–23.]
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Read more about the book of Acts in Acts Bible Study: Discover How the Early Church Can Inform What We Do Today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.
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