Acts 17:1-17 THREE CITIES One may wonder at the fact that Paul, Silas and Timothy passed through Amphipolis and Appollonia without stopping to preach there until we read that in Thessalonica there was a synagogue. It had been Paul's mode of operation to go to major centers to establish a new work so that from there the word of God would spread out to areas around. Also, a synagogue gave him a place where he had access to a public forum and could present the Gospel in a question and answer style that was common in those days. Some may wonder why we pass by some cities today to reach another in the spread of the Gospel. The guidance of the Holy Spirit may vary from one time to another. There was never given a specific protocol to follow in the scripture except for the plain statement, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel." In a general sense the disciples knew their work would begin in Jerusalem, then go to Judea and Samaria and ultimately to the "uttermost part of the earth."
When the servant is guided by the Master, he is under a control greater than his own agenda might be. To pass by some places to reach another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit simply means I must do what God has called me to do, where He wants me to go, and trust Him to meet other needs through other people. It has been said by many who have led by the Lord to specific places, "A need doesn't constitute a call." This knowledge will keep me from criticizing unnecessarily the efforts of other people who work in ways different from what I do. Paul went into the synagogue because he did not avoid the "children of Israel" who were part of his original call even though they had been the source of much of the opposition he faced. Even so, some Jews believed in spite of their prejudice. When something works well in the work of the Lord (like the use of a synagogue), use that method as often as possible until that method is shut down. We need to be aware of the fact that methods do have to change from time to time and place to place. When the time comes to make a change in methods, make sure the change is better than what you had before and be willing to use it as long as it in no way compromises the message of the Gospel and the biblical way of presenting it. The message never changes It must always be scriptural. It must always be Christ-centered. It must always be clear and plain in its presentation as it relates to the audience, their issues in life and the problems they face.
The message Paul preached week after week was the same. Jesus is the Messiah. Jews didn't want the suffering Messiah. They wanted a conquering Messiah who would restore them to their place among the nations of the earth. Some believed, but because others were jealous, they rejected the message. Paul carefully explained the scriptures as he set them forth in an orderly fashion. He probably began in Genesis and went from scripture to scripture explaining as he went the types and shadows of the Messiah in the sacrifices and offerings, then going on to the Psalms and prophecies to point out through them, the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Jews who opposed didn't try to refute or reject the teaching of Paul. It was too well explained and presented for that. The resentment they had against the preachers of the Gospel was because of the response of the people to the message. This is being repeated today in places where God is working. The reality of changed lives cannot be refuted. The dignity, respect and commitment on the part of those who God saved is a testimony to the truth of the message preached. People respond in various ways to try to stop the furtherance of the Gospel. Open opposition at first usually gives way to innuendo, scorn, searching for inconsistencies and then comes indifference.
Opposition and conflict, finds it source in Satan. His agenda is to defeats the inroads of truth and righteousness into the areas of darkness and fleshly interests he promotes as the god of this world. He has in the past, and is still, hiding the Gospel by blinding the minds of them who believe not. Resistance against change is a natural human tendency when the minds of people are set on natural, sensual desires. Depraved animosity makes people want to try new sins that seem glamorous and appealing to the flesh. This then leads to hostility toward God and His people that defies explanation. What are we to do? How are we to respond to antagonism? Our responsibility is to keep at the work to which we are called. Paul's text was the Word of God, and he did not change it to some philosophical response to questions. His message was the Son of God. He determined not to anything but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The confidence he had was not in himself but in the power of God. The guide he followed from place to place and in each conversation or public message was the Spirit of God. That responsibility has not changed for us.
It is to be expected when a lot of people, including prominent women and God-fearing people who have finally found what they were looking for, to be met with hostility when they turn away from what left them empty. Thessalonica was an important city on a main highway where commerce and travel was important. In the middle of the normal life of that place came those who were "world upsetters." In this city at the head of the bay, cosmopolitan in population and religion, God began to work. We have in the history of the work at Thessalonica and example of how a scripturally gathered New Testament church began. The book of 1st Thessalonians gives important information as to why there was such triumph in the work of God there. Yet there were serious trials and travail that came along with it. Those men who were "bold in our God" conducted themselves in a most honorable way. They were not deceitful and were open in the way they spoke. God had put them in trust with the Gospel and they were determined not to let God down by using flattery or seeking personal glory. No one could accuse them of misconduct in any thing they did. In Thessalonica plain preaching of the Gospel by honorable, righteous, consistent men led many to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way the work of the Lord should be done today. It is not right for us to avoid confrontational preaching in which the problem of sin is addressed by smoothing sin over with loud or soft music and entertainment. To present Christ as Savior in drama or sentimental words, makes Him out to be not much more than an accomplished actor. He is the Mighty God, who alone faced - and dealt with - once for all the problem and consequences of sin by His violent death on the cross. No wonder there was turmoil and hostility in worldly Thessalonica.
Berea was a different kind of place. Smaller, quieter on an out of the way by-pass where people had time and the inclination to think and read. There were Jews there as well who were thoughtful and studious. When Paul spoke in their synagogue, they took down the scriptures for themselves to check out what he said. They did this continually day after day. In Berea many Jews believed and also some prominent Greek women and men. The "nobility" of the Bereans was they knew and believed the scriptures to be the true Word of God, and they were willing to act on the Word of God when they understood it. It is important to examine the things we hear preached to be certain they are true. When the word is given, treat it with respect and do not spurn it even if it cuts close. Search the scriptures diligently and seriously to be assured of the truth of God. When you come to a conclusion about a matter, be thankful and act on what is taught. The response in Thessalonica was hostility, but in contrast, the response in Berea was "a ready mind."
Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea to help the new believers who were under the stress of opposition from the jealous Jews of Thessalonica. Paul knew when to go into a place, and he knew when to leave. He was guided by the Spirit to discern which man or men would be most suited to leave to consolidate the work and prepare it to function on its own guided by the men of the place the Holy Spirit raised up. This practice is still the most effective way to enable a new assembly to be strengthened. Trusted men need to have the responsibility and ability to "teach others also."
Paul went with others to Athens which was probably the greatest center of learning at that time. There is a tendency on the part of those who rely on their intellectual acuity, to spurn faith as a legitimate way of living and as a basis for belief in God. So in Athens the attitude toward the Gospel was, for the most part, indifference and scorn. God knows the end from the beginning and in our service for Him, we must go where He leads us, take advantage of the opportunities before us, adapt as best we can to the people who live there and present the Gospel as relevantly as we can - and leave the results to God.