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Lesson 23 : Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (2): Thessalonica, Berea & Athens (17:1-34). I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study. Paul & Silas preached the gospel in Thessalonica , second largest city of Greece (17:1-9 ).
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Lesson 23:Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (2):Thessalonica, Berea & Athens (17:1-34)
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul & Silas preached the gospel in Thessalonica, second largest city of Greece (17:1-9). • Paul, Silas and maybe Timothy traveled 100 miles SW from Philippi to Thessalonica. • Upon arriving in a new city, Paul followed a customary course of action. • The gospel persuaded many to obey the Lord in Thessalonica (17:4). • However, some Jews who were not persuaded raised up a persecution (17:5-9). • Nevertheless, the church in Thessalonica grew and prospered.
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Christianity is founded upon and grounded in solid, provable, historical, reliable facts! • Christianity is a religion that can be reasoned from evidence! • The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of Christianity. • The resurrection of Christ is a historical reality! • Godly women have always been valuable & prominent in the growth & work of the church. • Godly women gathered with the disciples after the ascension of Christ (1:14). • Godly women were regularly converted to Christ (5:14; 8:12; 13:50; 16:14; 17:4, 12, 34). • Godly women were vital to the health and growth of the church (9:36; 16:1). • Today, godly women remain a valuable, vital & VIP element in the Lord’s church!
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul, Silas & Timothy preached the gospel in Berea, to fair-minded hearers (17:10-14). • Paul escaped the violence in Thessalonica and traveled 50 miles to Berea (17:10). • The noble-minded hearers in Berea [1] readily received the message, [2] rigorously researched the message compared with Scripture, and [3] rightly responded to it. • The envious Jews from Thessalonica traveled 50 miles to agitate the crowds (17:13). • The newborn babes in Christ in Berea escorted Paul 20 miles to the sea (17:14).
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Scripture lauds the BereanBible study habits as an example for all Christians to follow! • They were diligent students—searching (present tense) the Scriptures every day! • They were discriminating students—checking to see if what they were taught was true! • They were devout students—ready to receive it and then ready to obey it!
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul preached the gospel in the idolatry-infested city of Athens (17:15-34). • Brethren rescued Paul from Berea and escorted him 300 miles to Athens (17:15). • As accustomed, Paul reasoned daily where people were (synagogue & marketplace). • And, as was customary, Paul was met with opposition to gospel message (17:18-21). • To those who did not know God or Jesus, Paul preached God and Jesus (17:22-31). • The resurrection of Christ was the heart of the message & the response (17:32-34). • While in Athens, Timothy was sent back to Macedonia (cf. 18:5; 1 Thess. 3:1-2, 6).
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Ignorance of God and His truth provides no safeguard in judgment; all must repent! • The evidence for God is readily apparent and abundant (Psa. 19:1; Rom. 1:20). • The requirement of God is that all men turn to Him and serve Him (1 Thess. 1:9-10). • The warning of God is that a day is coming on which all men will be judged (2 Co. 5:10). • The love of God provides us a standard (His righteousness) and a sympathetic Judge.
III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives • We need to use the Scripture and reason from the Scripture when teaching others! • We need to live and teach that Jesus is King – of our lives, of our nation, of the world! • We need to be open and honest students of the Bible, examining it daily! • We need to take the gospel to people where they are, then let the gospel change them! • With God, I am everything and have everything; without God, I am nothing!