November 26: Acts 17-18:18

November 26, Acts 17-18:18

Acts continued… Happy Thanksgiving! Paul is on a mission and the Jews are still opposing him, but God is for him! 

Acts 17  Paul and Silas in Thessalonica. Paul went to the Synagogue, as was his custom, to go and reason with the Jews about Jesus being the Messiah. He explained that Christ had to suffer and then be resurrected from the dead. Some were persuaded and others were not. Then we learn about the Jews that were not persuaded, they were jealous, so they gathered a mob to go against Paul & his companions. Paul later writes 2 letters the those in Thessalonica, 1st & 2nd Thessalonians. We read those tomorrow:)

Paul and Silas in Berea. Paul & Silas escaped by night and they went to Berea. “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.” The people there were examining the Scriptures with Paul and learning the Truths of Christ.  Sadly, the Jews from Thessalonica make the journey over to Berea and begin stirring up trouble there for Paul, Silas, and Timothy. Again, Paul was sent off by the brothers to Athens and Silas & Timothy were not far behind him. 

Paul in Athens. Paul was hanging out in Athens and waiting for Silas & Timothy to come to him. While he was there, “his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.” Paul walked in the Spirit - continually praying and thinking about God and focusing on Him - and the Spirit made Paul aware of all of the idolatry around him. He waited no longer, and went to the synagogue and the marketplace to reason with the people who did not believe with what he believed. Athens was unique that “all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.” So, they wanted to talk more with Paul and hear about his ‘philosophies' and thoughts. Some even thought him to be a babbler and a preacher of foreign divinities. But, many wanted to hear what he was saying…

Paul Addresses the Areopagus. Paul understood the culture of Greece and its moods and attitudes. This is critical for doing missions work. All cultures operate with differences and understanding them will help a Jesus follower to be more effective and less insulting. The Areopagus was the place where a lot of jurisdictions and rules were put into effect, but also where the stoics and philosophers hung out. Paul was very smart and intentional with them. “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.” He was sensitive to them while telling them the truths of Christ. He used their surroundings to point them to the real God… He did not shy away from the truth either, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” The time is now! Some mocked Paul but others believed… The results are up to God and not how persuasive we are or anything of the sort. Our role is simply to tell people about Christ. 

Acts 18:1-18:18 Paul in Corinth. After Paul hung out in Athens, he went to Corinth and at first he met with a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They recently came from Italy because they had been kicked out. They were tent makers by trade, as was Paul, and he worked with them while he stayed there. When he wasn't working, “he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.” Silas & Timothy finally showed up & Paul was deep in his teachings about Jesus to the Jews. They were not accepting what he was saying and “And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” Paul was now pretty much done trying to convince the Jews about Jesus, he was going to the non-Jews to tell them about the hope and life of Jesus. Paul then experienced more opposition and still ended up leading people to Christ & baptizing them. 

The Jesus talks to Paul in a vision, “And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Jesus talked and Paul obeyed. Then the time was about up and more opposition came and after some time he left for Syria. 

Paul later writes 2 letters to the church in Corinth, 1st & 2nd Corinthians. 

To sum it all up: 

• We are to be like the Berean’s - study God’s Word and study it deep to better understand who Christ is and what He has done for us. He did die and rose from the dead for us. God accepted it and we can now be with Him forever and have Him on earth as well. 
• When you are surrounded by so many idols, like Paul was, is your spirit troubled or do you not notice? This is a challenge for you to look around and see what is going on around you… It is ok for you to appeal to others about the truth. They prominently display what they believe, and you have every right to do the same!
• When Christ is with you, everything will be fine - one way or another. Even if it is brutal here on earth - when Jesus is with you, it will all work out. 

Look at Paul's journey! Telling people about Jesus and going where the Spirit sent him...