In Thessalonica
Acts 17:1-9
Still, on his second missionary journey, Paul passes through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica where there was a Jewish synagogue. Paul went into the synagogue as was his usual custom. After he proclaimed Jesus Christ, some of the Jews and a large number of Greeks joined Paul and Silas.
Because of this, the Jews became jealous. They enlisted the help of some bad characters and formed a mob and started a riot. They rushed to the house of a man named Jason looking for Paul and Silas. They sought to bring them out to the crowd. Since they could not find Paul and Silas, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials claiming Paul and Silas had caused trouble all over the world and now they have come to Thessalonica. They made Jason and the others post bond and they were let go.
In Berea
Acts 17:10-15
Paul and Silas were sent away to Berea during the night after what happened in Thessalonica. As they customarily do, they went to the Jewish synagogue. The Bereans were unlike the Thessalonians because they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed as well as a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and agitated the crowd and stirred them up. Paul was immediately sent to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. They would join Paul later in Athens.
In Athens
Acts 17:16-34
Paul is in Athens without his team. He looked around the beautiful city and became greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. Day-by-day, Paul spoke in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to argue with him.
• Epicurean – teachings of the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus. Those who are devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially to the enjoyment of good food and comfort.
• Stoic - Being calm and almost without any emotion; being indifferent to pleasure or pain.
Because Paul was teaching about Jesus and the resurrection, some called him a babbler. Others said he was advocating foreign gods.
Paul was taken to the Areopagus who wanted to know about what they called a “new teaching.” Paul shared with them that throughout the city he had seen many idols. He said he even found an altar with the inscription “To An Unknown God.” Paul used this as an object lesson to start with what the Athenians knew in order to teach them about Jesus Christ. What Paul taught is in Acts 17:22-31. This is referred to as Paul’s sermon on Mars’ Hill (the Areopagus).
When the Athenians heard about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, some of them sneered. Others wanted to hear more. When Paul left the meeting, a few followed him and believed.
Questions
1. What happened in Thessalonica?
2. What happened in Berea?
3. Why was Paul depressed when he looked around Athens?
4. What happened in Athens?
5. What was the object lesson in the meeting of the Areopagus? What is the life application for us to use in our evangelism?
|
|
