“Acts 17:1-9”

Thursday, January 28, 2016

“Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.’ And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, ‘These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.’ They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Verse 2 – Paul “reasoned with them from the scriptures.” When Paul entered the city of Thessalonica, he went first to the synagogue located there to try to persuade the Jewish people to believe and obey the truth. From their own sacred scriptures (the Old Testament) he explained, he gave evidence, he drew conclusions (verse 3). He showed them clearly from God’s own revelation that the Christ had to suffer, be killed and arise from the dead. I’m sure he read them passages such as Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53 that states conclusively that the death of the Messiah (Jesus) was all a part of God’s plan to save Israel from their sins. Many reasonable, stable, fair-minded people listened with an open mind, and honestly examined the evidence and believed (verse 4). Others allowed their emotions to poison their logic and they went on the attack (verse 5).

I know that “religion” can sometimes be a very emotional subject, and emotions certainly have their proper place in matters of faith. But let’s please try our very best to let logic and reason rule the day when it comes to studying the word of God. Let’s determine to honestly examine the evidence and believe the plain and honest truth so that we can make the necessary adjustments in our lives that will be pleasing to our Father in heaven. Nothing is more important to our eternal destinies than learning, believing and practicing the truth (John 8:31-36)

Verse 6 – “These men who have upset the world…” Friends and brethren, when you teach the plain, honest truth, sometimes it just upsets people’s world. That’s just the nature of the Gospel. That’s what it was designed to do (Matthew 10:34-39). Please keep right on teaching it anyway. Upsetting someone’s world is not always a bad thing. Sometime people need to have their worldview turned completely upside down so they can finally start to see things in the proper light. Eyes that have been long been accustomed to the darkness must first be blinded by the harsh light of the truth so that they can begin to see the world with spiritual clarity. Just ask the Apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-18). He most certainly had his world turned upside down.

Please read Acts 17:10-15 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

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