Battle of Thessalonica
Acts 17:1-9 1/7/2024; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
Thessalonica, now known as Thessaloniki, has a population of about one million people and is the second largest city in Greece. Talking about the origin of Thessalonica, it was built in 315 BC by the Macedonian general Cassander and named after his wife, Alexander’s sister. God allowed this ancient city to play a role in the advancement of the gospel in the New Testament church. Let’s look at the first point:
Return to synagogue
According to the priority of Jews first and Greeks second,Paul and Silas still preached the gospel first in the synagogue. First, make choices because of the gospel. Paul, Silas and their party said goodbye to Lydia, left Philippi, and continued westward, finally deciding to stop in Thessalonica. Have you ever wondered why? What is the reason for them to stay? Logically speaking, after passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, it seems like they should stop for a while. Take Amphipolis, for example, an important military and commercial center located north of the Aegean Sea. We can still see the remains of ancient fortifications and Roman aqueducts there today. As for Apollonia, literally, it refers to Apollos. Apollo is the god of light in ancient Greece and the sun god in Roman mythology. However, there were no synagogues in these two cities, so Paul and Silas temporarily reluctantly passed by without stopping and went straight to Thessalonica.
Secondly, keeping the rules is based on the Bible. As a preacher from afar, how should you face a gospel opportunity or place? The Bible gives a common saying: “And Paul went in, as was his custom,” Keeping the rules is a truth that has been emphasized from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Paul taught the brothers and sisters in the church in Corinth where he later went, saying: “ But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Cor. 14:40)” The word “custom” shows that keeping the rules is already Paul’s habit, rather than something he did on a temporary basis. Three Sabbaths in a row showed that Paul and Silas were patient, step-by-step, and eloquent. The most important thing is that the basis of their dialogue is their common Bible and the Bible as the standard. This is also the basic principle of our dialogue in the Lord today, that is, everything is based on the Bible.
Finally, argue based on truth. It is impossible for people to have the same views on everything. Even if they are all based on the Bible, it is inevitable that they will have different perspectives. It is not surprising. Today’s scripture tells us that it’s okay to argue! The key is to focus on the matter rather than the person. The focus is on discerning the truth. No matter whether you win or lose, you only seek the truth. The debate here is based on the rules of Greek logic. These rules allow us to focus on a topic, avoid going off topic, and avoid falling into sophistry. This is actually extremely difficult, focusing on the gospel, talking about it clearly, and explaining it clearly. It may not be the case that one can convince the other in the end, but it is an open-minded, mutually respectful pause. Let’s look at the second point:
Explain the gospel
When a person’s core values belong to Christ, then what he says is based on the gospel, attributed to the gospel, and illustrates the gospel. First, Christ died. To us today, the death of Christ seems to be a common thing. But two thousand years ago, Paul traveled from east to west, telling his Jewish compatriots scattered in Greece that the Messiah, the Savior we were looking forward to and waiting for, must die, and die on the cross. It’s like telling a fantasy, and people will find it difficult to accept it. Because according to Jewish law, those who are hung on the wood are cursed by God. Paul spelled out to the Thessalonians the necessity of Christ’s death so that each of us must confront our sin. The theme brought out is that everyone is required to confess their sins, repent, and be justified by faith.
Second, Christ is resurrected. If Christ merely laid down his life on the cross for us, he would be nothing more than a moral person, but he would not be able to save us. But the most unique thing about Christ is that He rose from the dead. Therefore, the path He walked becomes the path through which we can be saved. Resurrection has become the highest truth of Christian faith. The short life of Jesus Christ is lived out with eternal significance. The truth of Christ’s resurrection broke open in Thessalonica. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:16: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Finally, what I preached. When people understand the Lord’s resurrection, it is not difficult to understand why God’s children have been spreading the gospel and expanding the kingdom of God for more than two thousand years, regardless of life and death. Paul’s answer was simple and direct: 因為 because “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” This means that Jesus is the Christ. Who is Christ? He is our Savior! Not only is He the Savior, He is our Lord! He is the Lord who created heaven and earth, the Lord who saves the world, and the Lord who judges all things! Dear brothers and sisters, what could be more meaningful than for us to preach Christ? The Lord is near, He is already standing at the door! He knocks at the door of our hearts. He wants to enter our hearts and dine with us! Let’s look at the third point:
People who believe and don’t believe
From the books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, it appears that Paul, Silas, and Timothy entered Thessalonica in times of suffering. As Paul said: “But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. (1 Thessalonians 2:2)” First, there are many believers. The gospel is the power of God. As long as you preach it, people will believe it. It’s not because Paul’s preaching skills were great, but because saving the world is God’s own work. Revelation 14 tells us that God will cast down the sickle from heaven to harvest. The sickle alone can reap the harvest of the gospel, and those who do the work of the Lord have nothing to boast about. What kind of people have we become that we can work together with God and can actually preach and bear witness for the Lord. This is God’s great grace! Paul first preached in the synagogue. Unexpectedly, there were many devout Greeks among them, including some distinguished women. This explains that before Paul went, God had brought some Gentiles in through the synagogue, but Paul was asked to lead them to the Lord.
Second, the Jews were jealous. When the Jews saw what happened, they were naturally unhappy. Why do you come to our synagogue to reap your fruit? This is actually somewhat similar to our situation today, right? What people care about is not Christ or the gospel, but their own gains and losses. In a certain church in Europe, because one of the fellowships grew, became independent, developed, and expanded, they immediately couldn’t stand it and immediately cut off from it, as if they were afraid of suffering some loss. Fortunately, they did not do what the people in the synagogue in Thessalonica did. “take some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, ” to bring Paul and Silas to the people.
Finally, Jason was established. There is not much record of Jason in the Bible, and background information is limited. But Jason is the highlight of today’s scripture, which is Discipleship 2.0! In Philippi Paul brought out a Timothy and came to Thessalonica, where Jason was established. Jason not only welcomed people from afar, but also gave Paul and his team a place to stay. When Paul and his party were taken to the magistrate, Jason still vouched for Paul. Obviously, a generation of church leaders in Thessalonica were established as responsible spiritual leaders. Paul calls Jason a co-worker in Romans 16:21. What a glorious title this is! Because this co-worker is co-laboring with the Lord and working together with the Lord.
Conclusion
Thank God! The battle in Thessalonica was full of grace and glory because they preached the gospel, “saying that there is another king, Jesus.” This declaration is the truth! When worldly people hear this, they will feel panic and fear, fearing that they will offend the Roman Emperor, this false god! What about you, dear brothers and sisters, are you afraid?
Let us pray……
Acts 17:1-9
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
5 But the Jews[a] were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.”
8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
