Acts 17:01-15 Ministry at Thessalonica and Berea
17:01-09 Ministry at Thessalonica
17:10-15 Ministry at Berea
Acts 17:01-09 Ministry at Thessalonica
Paul, Silas passed through Amphipolis, Apollonia and reached Thessalonica. As per their custom, Paul and Silas went to the synagogue and preached Jesus as Christ. They proclaimed Jesus as King and Messiah of Jews. However, it was made clear that he was not a political king but the king of every heart. It is known as the Kingdom of God and not a geographical kingdom on earth. The enemies always took advantage of the local leaders and Roman authorities to defame evangelists and caused persecution. A large number of God-fearing Greeks accepted Christ as a personal saviour. But, few prominent women refused. Again, we see the modus operandi of the unbelieving fanatic Jews. They gathered evil men of the market together and formed a mob to create a problem for society. Since Jason is the host of Paul and Silas, he was dragged to the court or station and interrogated for the baseless complaints of the Jews. Knowing the seriousness, Paul and Silas sent out to Berea.
Unbelieving people indeed gather anti-social elements to disturb the preaching of the Gospel. Nowadays, we could see them everywhere in society, sometimes even in the church and mission works. They are constant trouble makers and block the development of their church and organisation. Their deeds are exposed while preaching the Word of God, so they hate the preachers and hide in the crowd and mob. One thing is clear God has kept everywhere his chosen and obedient people. Holy Spirit continues to work whenever and wherever we preach the Gospel. Let’s do our part to fulfil the vision of God. Every servant of God and every believer must use every chance to preach leave the result to God. I am sure everywhere God has his elected and chosen race and proven in the mission work.
Acts 17:10-15 Ministry at Berea
Paul and Silas arrived at Berea and started to preach in the synagogue over there. Though they never were threatened but not frightened to leave the work of the Lord. Bereans were noble, searching the scriptures and reading and meditating, and discussing the Lord’s word day after day. They received the message with eagerness and examined the scriptures, and adopted them in their lives. Many of them believed. They were prominent Greek men, Greek woman and Jews. When the Jews at Thessalonica heard that Paul and Silas were preaching at Berea, they came over to Berea and agitated the crowds and stir them up against Paul and Silas. The believers at Berea sent out Paul to the coast, then they brought him to Athens and left him there. But Timothy and Silas stayed for a while at Berea, later instructed to join Paul at Athens.
One thing is true in the mission history. Satan is equally vigilant and works to disturb evangelisation. He uses all tricks to cause damage to the expansion of the Kingdom of God on the earth. The perseverance of Paul, Silas and Timothy has to be appreciated. Are we not going through the same situations in our lives. Never give up the entrusted assignment to you despite the constant disturbances from the opponents. Be strengthened in Christ, run towards the goal and achieve it.
Discussion:
1. Can we preach the Gospel everywhere or only as the Lord directs?
2. How to handle the trouble makers in the mission work? Can we give up or pursue?
(for further studies in Acts of the Apostles, please refer to the series on this site)
