Acts 17:1-9 Paul and Silas in Thessalonica

Paul and Silas were consistent in their strategy to preach the Gospel. They looked for a nearby synagogue and began to preach the Gospel there. They spent three Sabbath days (weeks) at the synagogue. Paul reasoned with them, explaining and proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ who had to suffer and rise from the dead. Certainly the Gospel needs to be preached in the power of the Spirit, and needs to be centered on the Scriptures, but it does not exclude the use of reason. Is Scripture the source of my preaching? Am I seeking the power of the Spirit to preach?


Reason (explanation and proof) is at the service of Revelation with the purpose of persuading those who listen. When Paul refers to his preaching not being of words with eloquent wisdom (1Cor.1:17), he is referring to the custom of the professional orators who performed for the sake of entertainment and instruction calling attention to themselves. The preaching of the Gospel strives to persuade using reason at the service of revelation by exalting Jesus as the Christ, not the messenger. The proclamation of the Gospel must be Christocentric. The messenger must hide behind the cross.

It was very difficult for the Jews to accept that the Christ would have to suffer. They expected a Christ who would become King, but they could not conceive of a suffering Christ. The truth of the Gospel is that through suffering and death we are given healing and life. I don't like suffering. The mere thought of suffering causes me to shrink back. But we know that suffering produces endurance (Rom.5:3) and it is part of our identification with Christ in his kingdom. If Christ was hated and persecuted and suffered, I must realize that my following him will bring the same upon my life. Suffering is part and parcel of the kingdom of God. I have to come to grips with suffering. This is part of the cost to follow Jesus. Am I willing to pay the cost?

The jealousy of the Jews drove them to go after Paul by forming a mob, setting the city in an uproar. They went into Jason's home, but they missed him - thank God. Because they missed Paul, they went after Jason and some other brothers accusing them of acting against Caesar by proclaiming Jesus as king. At least, they were not executed. They were charged a fine as security - more likely referring to giving their word that Paul and Silas would not come back to preach. This may be the "Satan's hindrance" mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians (1Thes.2:18). It is important to realize that behind such opposition lie the powers of darkness. My struggle is not against flesh and blood. That's why I can't stop praying!