Acts, Chapter 17 - Paul at Thessalonica

Outbless Weekly

Acts, Chapter 17 - Paul at Thessalonica

17 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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 [d]Christ.”

- Amphipolis “a city surrounded by water”; “surrounded city”; “encircled city”

- Apollonia “things of Apollo”; the Greek sun god; also a 3rd century saint and virgin martyr

- Thessalonica “victory of falsity”

- The city was surrounded by things of Apollo (a false sun god), the city was named after Alexander the great’s sister. It seemed that the worship of false gods was prospering as this became a huge city filled with sin.

- According to Paul’s custom

o He went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the scriptures

o Explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to supper and rise again from the dead

o And saying “this Jesus who I am proclaiming to you is the Christ”

o Paul is bringing the true gospel message right in the middle of this city surrounded by the things of apollo (a false god)..

4 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. 5 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. 6 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; 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. 9 And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them.

- Notice pattern

- And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas

o Along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks

o And a number of the leading women

o These were “the called” by God who believed

- Faith came by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (again)

o A large number were persuaded (Jews & Greeks & Leading Women)

- But the Jews (the stumbling block comes)

o Becoming jealous (notice they were not in search of truth; they were jealous)

o And taking along some wicked men from the market place (notice who they recruit)

§ Formed a mob and set the city in an uproar

§ The mob makes false accusations and gets people upset on purpose

§ Their plot is to stir up emotions since they can’t speak the truth

§ And attacking the house of Jason (they got violent)

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