ACTS LESSON 37

    We will begin this lesson in Acts 17:1 "Now when they had passed
through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was
a synagogue of the Jews:"

    Acts 17:2 "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and
three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,"

    This Thessalonica was part of Macedonia.  The they above, for
sure, means Paul and Silas.  We could only speculate to whom else is
with them.  This is not a completely pagan area, because there is a
synagogue (place of worship). Paul preached three different sabbaths
(Saturdays) here.  Paul, being a Pharisee, would have access to the
synagogue.

    Acts 17:3 "Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have
suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I
preach unto you, is Christ."

    Christ and Messiah are the same.  The Jews had been looking for
generations for Messiah.  Paul is not accusing them, but explaining to
them, of Jesus' death and entombment.  He explains that Jesus had to
die, so that He could be resurrected.  It was prophesied in the Old
Testament and fulfilled in Jesus.

    Acts 17:4 "And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and
Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief
women not a few."

    These Greeks had been attending the synagogue.  They were
interested in the one true God.  Thessalonica was a city actually of
many synagogues.  At various times, up to 36 of them were in the city.
Luke, in his writings, gives credit to the women receiving Christ as
Saviour.

    Acts 17:5  "But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took
unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a
company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of
Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people."

    Jason, some believe was a relative of Paul.  The name Jason is a
Romanized form of the name Jesus or Joshua.  These lewd fellows of the
baser sort would be called thugs in our society.  Notice, why these
Jews came against them, it was envy or jealousy.  These Jews had
gathered a mob to get rid of Paul and Silas.

    Acts 17:6 "And when they found them not, they drew Jason and
certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have
turned the world upside down are come hither also;"  Acts 17:7 "Whom
Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of
Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one] Jesus."

    They do not really have any grievance against Paul and Silas, and
surely not this Jason that would stand up before the court, so he
tries to say they are trying to take Caesar's throne.

    Acts 17:8 "And they troubled the people and the rulers of the
city, when they heard these things." Acts 17:9 "And when they had
taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go."

    Jason had to put up bond for himself and the others so the
authorities would let them go.

    Acts 17:10  "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas
by night unto Berea: who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of
the Jews."

    Berea is still a city of Macedonia near Mount Bermices.  We will
see that this group of Jews is well read in the Scriptures.  Paul and
Silas left in cover of darkness to keep them from imprisoning them.
The word has not travelled to Berea yet, so they can find safe haven
here.

    Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in
that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched
the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."  Acts 17:12
"Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were
Greeks, and of men, not a few."

    This is exactly what I believe.  If a person truly studies the
Scriptures with an open mind and heart to receive the Truth, God will
reveal that Truth to you.  The Old Testament Scriptures point to
Jesus.  If these people truly understood the Old Testament, they would
readily accept Jesus as their Messiah.  Their attitude was better
(they were not envious) just eager to know the Truth.  Jesus is the
Truth.  These Greek women were attending the synagogue.  They were all
worshippers of God the Father already.  Now they receive Jesus as
Saviour and Lord, their Messiah.

    Acts 17:13 "But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that
the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also,
and stirred up the people."

    These Jews from Thessalonica aren't satisfied to run them out of
their town, they cause trouble here in Berea, as well.  I do not
understand how they could stir up those who believed.  I believe it
must have been those who rejected Paul's message.  The beginning of
the Christian movement and the founding of their Churches were under
much opposition.  Even today, starting a new work is very difficult to
do.

    Acts 17:14 "And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go
as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still."

    We see, here, that Paul was rushed out of town by night to keep
him from being jailed. Why Silas and Timothy stayed behind is not
given.  Perhaps, they were not at the house when Paul was carried
away.  The authorities were really after Paul who was the main
preacher.  The others would have not been in as much danger.

    Acts 17:15 "And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens:
and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to
him with all speed, they departed."

    It really appears that Paul was whisked away so quickly, that he
did not have time to wait for Timothy and Silas.  Paul sends word to
Timothy and Silas to come immediately and join him.  He, perhaps,
feared for their lives, if they stayed there in Berea.  Those who
brought Paul safely to Athens were to take instructions back to
Timothy and Silas.

    Acts 17:16  "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit
was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry."

    Paul, later on sends Timothy back to Thessolonica and Silas to
Berea, because he can not go back there himself.  We will get into a
great deal of that when we get into Thessalonians.  Athens truly was a
city of idols.  This was not a godly city by any stretch of the
imagination.

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                           Acts 37 Questions


1.  What two towns did they go through on the way to Thessolonica?
2.  How many Sabbaths did Paul preach there?
3.  What did he use to reason with them?
4.  What country was Thessolonica part of?
5.  What day is Sabbath?
6.  "Opening and alleging..." what, was what Paul preached?
7.  What is another name for Christ?
8.  Why did Jesus have to die?
9.  Who were the two with Paul?
10. What is a synagogue?
11. Who were two specific groups mentioned who believed?
12. Was this the only synagogue?  Explain.
13. The Jews that didn't believe were moved with what?
14. Who did they take to attack Paul and the others?
15. At whose home was Paul staying?
16. What other name is the same as Jason in Roman?
17. Who was this Jason?
18. What ridiculous accusation did they make of Paul?
19. The rulers required Jason to do what before he released them?
20. What did the brethren immediately do for Paul and Silas?
21. Where did they go?
22. What mount is this city near?
23. How were the Jews here compared to those in Thessolonica?
24. Why were they convinced of Jesus more readily?
25. How can anyone really learn the Truth?
26. What nationality were the women believers?
27. Who came and stirred up the Jews in Berea?
28. Where did the brethren take Paul for safety?
29. Who remained in Berea?
30. What message did Paul send them?
31. While Paul waited for them, what did he observe about the people
    of Athens?

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