These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
- Heavenly perspective…
- Know the enemy…
- Paul and Silas were going to spend some time in PRAYER…
- A slave girl who was possessed by a spirit of DIVINATION [πύθων] began to follow them…
- For days she shouted – these men teach a way [one of many] to get to God…
- Paul turned and said to the SPIRIT – in the name of Jesus come out…
- Because he recognized WHO the enemy was – there was VICTORY – Ephesians 6:12
- Prison ministry…
- The MASTERS of the girl were NOT happy [could no longer make money]
- They had Paul and Silas brought before the LEADERS of Philippi…
- Their accusation was they were ROMAN – and Paul and Silas were JEWS [antisemitism]
- The LEADERS had the men BEATEN and thrown into PRISON…
- At midnight – Paul and Silas were praying and PRAISING God [expecting God to do something]
- FIRST – the other prisoners were LISTENING to them [powerful witness]
- SECOND – there was an earthquake and all the doors opened and their chains fell off…
- When the jailer woke up – he ran in and fell down before them – what must I do to be SAVED…
- He and his whole house – put their faith in Jesus – and were BAPTIZED!
- Know the enemy…
- 1st – The Synagogues… vs. 1-4
- 1st – Relatable Ministry… vs. 1-2
- Skipping cities… vs. 1
- Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia!
- Paul and company left PHILIPPI and passed through TWO cities…
- AMPHIPOLIS [surrounded by the sea] – about 50km from Philippi…
- APOLLONIA [belonging to Apollo] – about 50km from Amphipolis…
- Both cities were along the main Roman road that ran through Greece [Macedonia]
- Both were LARGE cities [about the size of Philippi] – LOTS of people that needed the Gospel…
- Paul likely stopped in these cities – as they were about a days walk apart…
- But Paul did NOT preach in either one of them – he continued onto Thessalonica…
- THESSALONICA – meaning VICTORY [νίκη] over the Thessalians [Θεσσαλῶν]
- The half-sister of Alexander the Great was named Thessalonike…
- To commemorate the victory of Philip II [father of Alexander] over the Thessalians!
- Familiar… vs. 1-2
- They came to Thessalonica – where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
- Then Paul as his custom was – went in to them!
- THESSALONICA was a very LARGE city – it had a population of around 100 thousand…
- It also had a SYNAGOGUE [the suggestion is the other two cities did not]
- Paul had a CUSTOM [ἔθω] of going into SYNAGOGUES [seen TEN times in Acts]
- FIRST – he could relate BEST to the people there because he was also a JEW…
- SECOND – the people there KNEW the Word and Paul could reason [διαλέγομαι] with them…
- THIRD – gentiles around the SYNAGOGUES were INTERESTED in God…
- Paul used this to reach an audience he could CONNECT to and was EAGER to listen!
- It is NOT realistic to think we can share the Gospel with EVERYONE [eight billion people]
- But we can reach SOME – the question is WHO do we share with…
- We will be the most effective on reaching those whom we relate to…
- We should look for those who are interested in hearing about the Gospel!
- Spreading the message…
- I Thessalonians 1:8 – “From you the word of the Lord has sounded forth – not only in Macedonia and Achaia – but also in every place… so that we do not need to say anything.”
- That does not mean Paul did NOT care about the other TWO cities…
- Those who received the message in THESSALONICA had a huge impact…
- They would go on to spread the message ALL around [Amphipolis and Apollonia]
- Paul had the Gospel – but did not know their culture or traditions…
- The LOCAL believers were much better equipped to share than a STRANGER like Paul!
- As we reach out to with the Gospel to those we relate best to…
- They then reach those they relate to – helping spread the Gospel to the whole world!
- 2nd – Three Weeks… vs. 2
- For three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures!
- Paul reasoned [διαλέγομαι] with them for THREE Sabbaths [church services]
- This likely means he was teaching in the SYNAGOGUE for THREE consecutive Saturdays…
- After that he spent a MORE time outside the SYNAGOGUE teaching the gentiles…
- But it is possible [if unlikely] Paul ONLY spent THREE weeks total in Thessalonica …
- If that is the case it is AMAZING – it means Paul established a church in THREE weeks…
- A HEALTHY church he went on to write TWO letters to – I and II Thessalonians!
- We are about to celebrate our FIFTH year [not week] anniversary…
- It would seem IMPOSSIBLE for a church to be established in such a short time…
- But NOTHING is impossible for God – and He is NOT limited by our ideas!
- It is easy to get caught up in METHODS – thinking we know how God works…
- Forgetting that He does NOT limit Himself to our ideas – He likes to BREAK the mold…
- So rather than TELLING God how to get things done – we need to be ASKING…
- How does He WANT to do it – that is when AMAZING things take place!
- 3rd – The Word… vs. 3
- The Christ… vs. 3
- Explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead.
- And saying: This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ!
- In those THREE Saturday [Sabbath] teachings…
- Paul opened the Bible [διανοίγω] – the Old Testament…
- Showing [παρατίθημι] – the MESSIAH [Χριστός] had to suffer and rise again from the dead…
- Proving that Jesus whom he preached – is [present] the CHRIST [Χριστός]
- The Jews KNEW the Old Testament – they read it EVERY week…
- But they had MISSED the plan of God – they did not understand the purpose of the MESSIAH!
- The Rejection…
- Psalm 118:22 – “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.”
- The Jews rejected Jesus – because they were looking for the wrong kind of SAVIOR…
- They wanted someone to save them from ROME not their SIN…
- This is the MOST quoted verses from the OLD Testament [six times]
- Jesus is the stone that the builders REFUSED – Mark 12:10 – Acts 4:11 – I Peter 2:7
- There is a principal of Bible interpretation – important TRUTHS…
- If Jesus said [Gospels] – the Disciples taught it [Acts] – and the Epistles explain it [I Peter]
- Then what is being stated is a VERY important TRUTH in the Bible!
- Amazing…
- Psalm 118:23 – “This was the LORDs doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.”
- The CROSS was not the idea of MEN – it was the PLAN of God from the beginning!
- When Jesus was crucified – the plan was still a MYSTERY – I Corinthians 2:7-8
- But it did not stay a MYSTERY – THREE days later He rose from the grave…
- And everyone MARVELED – because they saw the PLAN…
- God came down to DIE – and pay our DEBT – so we could LIVE!
- The Day…
- Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
- A very famous verse – often sung – often quoted…
- But it is not referring to TODAY – it is talking about THE day [הַיּוֹם]!
- The DAY Jesus came and died – to take away the SIN of the world…
- The DAY that all of our HOPE rests on – the DAY when the DOOR to heaven opened…
- Therefore – we will REALLY [cohortative] rejoice and be glad because of THIS day!
- Salvation…
- Psalm 118:25 – “Save now – I pray – O LORD. O LORD – I pray – send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.”
- I pray [אָנָּא] – a compound of LOVE [אַהֲבָה] and PLEASE [נָא]
- LORD please LOVE us and SAVE us now [הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא]
- BLESSED is the one who comes [Jesus] in the name of the LORD!
- This was the CRY of the crowds on PALM Sunday – Matthew 21:9
- As Jesus came riding down the Mount of Olives on a Donkey…
- They laid out the coats and palm branches and cried out – HOSANNA!
- Because Jesus was the one who did LOVE us – and came to SAVE us…
- He would go to the CROSS and pay the price for our sins…
- The plan of God from before time began – that was written in His Word – Revelation 13:8
- 4th – The Women…. vs. 4
- Some of them were persuaded – and a great multitude of the devout Greeks.
- And not a few of the leading women joined Paul and Silas!
- Some of the people were [passive] CONVICTED [πείθω] by the WORD…
- And – [not translated] they CAST their lot [προσκληρόω] with Paul and Silas [chose sides]
- Those who believed included DEVOUT [worshiped God] Greeks…
- Including a LOT of WOMEN – a number of whom were very influential [πρῶτος]!
- The FIRST person to believe in the city of Philippi had also been a WOMAN – Lydia…
- In fact WOMEN played a key role in the spread of the gospel in the early church!
- No less so today – it is often the WOMEN who first respond to the Gospel…
- WOMEN seem to be more in tune – open – to responding to Jesus…
- A common statistic – the whole world over – more WOMEN than men attend church…
- But it should not stop there – ladies share the Gospel with your husbands and sons!
- 1st – Relatable Ministry… vs. 1-2
- 2nd – Choosing churches… vs. 5-9
- 1st – Envious… vs. 5
- The Jews who were not persuaded became envious took some evil men from the marketplace.
- Gathering a mob they set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason.
- And sought to bring them out to the people!
- The Jews who [active] REJECTED [πείθω] the WORD…
- Became jealous of the response of the people to the Gospel…
- There were MORE people who CHOSE [προσκληρόω] the church of Paul – than their church…
- So they hired some EVIL [πονηρός] men from the market [ἀγορά] to stir up a MOB [imperfect]
- But when they could not find Paul – they went to the house of a man named Jason…
- Presumably this is where he was meeting after leaving the SYNAGOGUE!
- It is disheartening how churches tend to attack each other…
- They are very territorial – this is THEIR city – THEIR area…
- Yet we are supposed to be working together – bringing people to Jesus…
- If someone wants to start a church across the street – we should help them…
- Praise God if there are THOUSAND churches – all working hand in hand to reach the lost!
- 2nd – Upside down… vs. 6-9
- Right side up… vs. 6
- When they did not find them they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city.
- Crying out: These who have turned the world upside down have come here too!
- When they could NOT find Paul and company…
- They instead DRAGGED [imperfect] Jason and a few brothers before the leaders [πολιτάρχης]
- They accused Jason and the believers of turning the world upside down [ἀναστατόω]!
- We live in a world that is UPSIDE down – a world that has REJECTED God…
- When it is a crime in many countries to PRAY – or bring a BIBLE into school [USA]
- But where homosexuality – and abortion are protected by the Law!
- Isaiah 5:20 – “Woe unto them that call evil good – and good evil.”
- We live in a world where evil is good – and good is evil…
- Which is why we go preaching the message of Jesus to turn the world right side up!
- Guilty by association… vs. 7
- Jason has harbored them!
- HARBORED [ὑποδέχομαι] – to take by the hand…
- The Jews accused Jason of taking Paul into his homes…
- Jason would NOT have gotten in trouble if he had NOT been helping…
- But because he wanted to hear about Jesus – he ended up being ARRESTED!
- Standing up for Jesus is far from a guarantee that life will be easier – I Peter 4:12
- In fact if often means that we are going to face EXTRA challenges…
- But they are worth it – because in the end we know we win!
- Another King… vs. 7-9
- These are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar – saying there is another king – Jesus.
- And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things.
- So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest they let them go!
- The accusation was that ALL [πᾶς] the BELIEVERS were on the WRONG side [ἀπέναντι]
- They were NOT following the RULES [δόγμα] of the Caesar…
- And they were saying [present] there is ANOTHER [ἕτερος] King – Jesus…
- This was a very serious crime – considered TREASON – and was punishable by DEATH…
- So it UPSET the crowd and the LEADERS [πολιτάρχης] when they heard it…
- But Paul was nowhere to be found – and there was NO way to prove the charge…
- So Jason and the believers posted BAIL [ἱκανός] – and were released!
- This was NOT the first time the Jews had rejected God as their king…
- Israel had rejected God as their King – demanded a man [Saul] rule them – I Samuel 8:7
- Again at the crucifixion of Jesus they said they had NO king but Caesar – John 19:15
- Now again the Jews were rejecting a perfect God – and chose a flawed man!
- Romans 6:16 – “Whatever we choose to obey becomes our master.”
- In life we are going to be a SERVANT to someone – the question is WHO…
- We can choose to trust in this WORLD – and we become a SLAVE to this world…
- If we run to the WORLD for answers – we are LIMITED to their solutions…
- But if we choose to TRUST in Jesus – He can do far more than ANYONE in this world!
- 1st – Envious… vs. 5
- 3rd – Study the Bible… vs. 10-15
- 1st – Double check… vs. 10-12
- More noble… vs. 10-11
- Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.
- When they arrived they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
- These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica.
- In that they received the word with all readiness.
- And searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so!
- Paul and Silas were rushed out of the city by NIGHT – for their own safety…
- When they came to the city of Berea [75km west of Thessalonica]
- They AGAIN went [imperfect] into the SYNAGOGUE of the Jews…
- But the Jews here were more NOBLE [εὐγενής] compared to Thessalonica…
- In that they received the Word [τὸν λόγον] with ALL [πᾶς] excitement [προθυμία]
- And SEARCHED [ἀνακρίνω] their Bibles daily to find out if the message was true [optative]
- It made them more NOBLE because they did NOT just accept what they were told…
- They CHECKED the Bible to VERIFY the message – make sure that it was correct!
- Just because a pastor says sometime – does NOT mean it is right…
- Every time we hear a Bible study – we need to VERIFY it!
- Too often men believe what they are told – because they are looking to a person…
- We should NOT just accept the words of anyone – no matter who is teaching…
- If we ONLY know what the preacher has told us – then our faith is in his words…
- But if we seek the Bible for the answers – then our faith is in the Word!
- Many believed… vs. 12
- Therefore many of them believed.
- And also not a few of the Greeks – prominent women as well as men!
- THEREFORE – many people CHOSE [active] to BELIEVE [πιστεύω]
- From the Jews – as well as MANY gentiles [including influential women and men]
- Because when people are willing to SEARCH the Bible – it brings REVIVAL!
- Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes by hearing – and hearing by the word of God.”
- The reason why people do NOT believe – is because they are NOT reading their Bible…
- The moment we are willing to open our Bible and look for Jesus – we find Him…
- It is through His Word we get to know the God who created us…
- And we find out His plan to save us – so we can be with Him in eternity in heaven!
- 2nd – Not Afraid… vs. 13-15
- Standing strong… vs. 13
- When the Jews from Thessalonica learned the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea.
- They came there also and stirred up the crowds.
- When the Jews from THESSALONICA heard Paul was preaching in BEREA…
- They came and began to cause trouble – stirring up [σαλεύω] the crowds against Paul…
- Paul had been BOLD in Philippi – BOLD in Thessalonica – and now BOLD in Berea…
- ALL the time his life was in DANGER – he was beaten – thrown in prison…
- But Paul was NOT intimidated – because he knew what he was fighting for…
- He was giving the only message that could save people from eternity in Hell!
- If we are convinced people are going to hell if they do NOT believe in Jesus…
- No peer pressure – no ridicule – nothing would keep us from sharing!
- We know the mystery of life – we know there is only one way to heaven…
- Knowing the truth – how could we hold back from telling others – Jeremiah 20:9
- Waiting… vs. 14-15
- Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away to go to the sea.
- But both Silas and Timothy remained there.
- So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens.
- Receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed – they departed!
- The believers in Berea hurried Paul by SEA – to the city of ATHENS…
- Silas and Timothy were able to stay behind [ὑπομένω] to encourage the NEW believers…
- But Paul sent word to them to come to him [subjuntive] in Athens as quickly as they could!
- 1st – Double check… vs. 10-12