PAUL THE APOSTLE ( PART 28 ) | THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY | LESSON FROM THESSALONICA ( PART 1)

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3128

PAUL THE APOSTLE ( PART 28 )

THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
LESSON FROM THESSALONICA ( PART 1)

As part of his Second Missionary Journey, the Apostle Paul visited Thessalonica with Timothy and Silas after they were exhorted to leave Philippi.

Acts 17:1 tells us that after meeting with the believers at Lydia’s house, Paul and Silas leave Luke behind in Philippi and travel along the Via Egnatia through the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia.

They travelled along the Via Egnatia before reaching the seaport of Thessalonica.

Thessalonica (or Thessaloniki) was founded around 315 B.C. by Macedon's King Cassander, on or near the ancient site of Therma. The king named the city after his wife Thessalonike, who was Alexander the Great's, half-sister.

Thessalonica was an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Macedon until 168 B.C. when it became a city of the Roman Republic. It soon grew to be a critical trading hub for the Roman Empire by facilitating the exchange of goods between Europe and Asia.

Eventually, Thessalonica became the capital city of the Roman district it was located in.

Here in the capital city of Thessalonica, Paul will encounter the opposition of unbelieving Jews - quite unlike Philippi where it was the Romans who came against him and his team members.

Paul started by visiting one of the chief Jewish synagogues in the area and for three consecutive Sabbaths, Paul explained why Jesus is their Old Testament prophesied  Messiah (Acts 17:2 - 4).

Although many believe what he preached, certain unbelieving Jews, envious of the gospel's success, formed a mob and started a riot (Acts 17:4 - 5).

They assaulted the house of Jason where they thought Paul and Silas were staying, to bring them out to the people.

And when they did not find them there, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the city magistrates, crying out, "Those who have set the whole world in confusion have come here also, whom Jason has received; and these all do what is contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus."

And they caused great agitation among the people and the city magistrates who heard these things. But after taking a bond of good conduct from Jason and the rest, they let them go (Acts 17:1 - 8 )

Abba Father, Paul boldly proclaimed the gospel to the Jews that Jesus was their promised Messiah. The unbelievers among them opposed the gospel and tried to get the Roman authorities to oust them by instigating mob rule and violence. By Your divine providence, the Roman magistrates did not take the side of the Jews. Instead, they dismissed their claims as Christianity appeared to be an offshoot of Judaism. Such religious disagreements were best disputed and settled privately among the Jews and Christians themselves - like any family quarrel -  without having to involve the Roman law courts as a third party. Thus the gospel could continue to be preached without any Roman interference.