ACT 17The power and energy of the Spirit is abundant in the apostles, suffering persecution, yet their hearts are filled with prayer and praise to God, and they go on their way as witnessing for the truth, servants of God, preaching Christ. The next place is Thessalonica, and after their manner they enter a synagogue of the Jews, and for three Sabbath days Paul reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, 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." Some of the Jews believed, and associated themselves with Paul and Silas. Also of the god-fearing Greeks a great multitude, and a good number of the chief women. In 1 Thess. 1:9,9For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; (1 Thessalonians 1:9) we hear of idolaters being converted, "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven; their deliverer from the coming wrath."
We learn in that Epistle (Chap. 2:14) what persecution they endured from the other idolaters, as the converted Jews also suffered from their unconverted nation, bringing the wrath of God upon themselves to the uttermost.
Paul preached Christ rejected, who suffered death, and was risen from the dead, the true King; so the kingdom was now connected with Christ in glory, a Kingdom not of this world. (John 18:3636Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36).) So His followers must share His place on earth (Phil. 1:2929For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29)) as well as in heaven. The truth of the Church, the body of Christ, is not unfolded here. In both Epistles to the Thessalonians (Verse 1) it is the Church which is in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is therefore as children of the Father, those who own Christ as their Lord, that we are spoken of here.
The Jews cannot bear the truth that sets aside their religion, given to them by God through Moses, though now useless, because the substance of all their shadows had come. Moved with envy they employ lewd fellows of low character to help them in their satanic opposition to Christ. They stir up the mob and assault Jason's house, setting the city on an uproar, and tried to find Paul and Silas to bring them out to the people. They could not find the apostle, so they drew out Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, "These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also, whom Jason hath received; and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another King, one Jesus."
These things troubled the people and the rulers of the city, but they contented themselves by taking security of Jason, and the other, and let them go.
The brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea; and are again at their work in the synagogue among the Jews.
These Bereans "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 thing were so." Therefore, many of them believed, also of honorable Greek women, and a good number of men. "Faith cometh by hearing," and where there is this readiness of mind, the soul is soon led into peace, in the assurance the Word gives of the work of Christ that has put away our sins, and fills our heart with the love of Christ.
But the Jews of Thessalonica heard of the work at Berea, and with diabolical energy, and enmity of heart, came and stirred up the people. The brethren immediately sent Paul away as it were to the sea; but Silas and Timotheus remained there at Berea. Paul's companions brought him to Athens, and he commanded them to send Silas and Timotheus to him with all speed, then they departed.
Though it is not recorded here, we see in 1 Thess, 3:1, that Paul sent Timotheus back to visit the Thessalonians, to comfort, and to establish them in the faith, and in verse 6 we see Timotheus back at Athens again with good tidings of their faith and love, and of their affection for the apostle, and desire to see him again.
Paul at Athens waiting for Silas and Timotheus has his spirit stirred in him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. He reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met him. This drew the attention of the philosophers of the Epicureans and stoics (the one tasted everything the streams of earth could afford in their search for happiness; the other affected indifference to suffering). He spoke to them of Jesus and the resurrection. The false gods went in pairs, so they thought this was a new pair. They brought him up to Mars Hill, the highest court in Athens, and asked him to unfold this new doctrine. "We would know therefore what these things mean."
Paul, with divine wisdom and observation, said, "Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious, for as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, 'To the Unknown God.' Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you." The people of the city, idle and at heart skeptical, were given up to idolatry; and the circle of the gods being exhausted, they had dedicated an altar to the unknown God. None of their idols could satisfy them as being the right one. It shows that in man's heart, the idea of a supreme being still finds a place that infidelity cannot remove, but Satan has conspired to corrupt man's mind into idolatry. Creation is God's witness (Psa. 19; Romans 1:19, 2019Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:19‑20)) in every part of the universe.
We do not get all that Paul declared here, but only an epitome. He sets forth God as Creator and Sustainer of all life. Too great to be contained in temples made with hands. He needs nothing from men. He has made of one blood all nations of men to dwell upon the earth; has fore-arranged day and night and all the seasons; and He has placed the boundaries of the dwelling of the nations, that they may seek God; and He is not far from each one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being. We are His offspring. God made man upright, but man has sought out many inventions. No creature form can represent Him. God, therefore, having borne with man's ignorance in the past, now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He bath raised Him from the dead. No doubt Paul would be led to open out the truth of man's responsibility as a creature to his Creator, and bring his sins before him, as to that for which he must give account to God. This is apparent from what is given us. The man Christ Jesus, Lord of all creation, rejected and crucified, is now risen, and is the man appointed as judge to judge the world in righteousness. It is long suffering mercy now; it will be judgment then without mercy.
When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked-man would love to have that proved untrue. No, the past will not cover up, every one shall be raised from the dead, so said our blessed Lord. (John 5:28, 2928Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28‑29)). He Himself is risen from the dead, and this is assurance to all men that the judgment is coming to them. There is only one way to be saved; it is Jesus. "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
Others said, "We will hear thee again of this matter." These are the procrastinators: How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? They had other business in view and the soul is left to perish. We did not hear of the more convenient season ever coming to Felix. And reader, it may never come to you. The Lord used Paul to give out His testimony in this vain city. So Paul left them. Howbeit certain men slave to him, and believed. A few are gathered out to the name of Christ Jesus out of this pleasure-loving, frivolous city of pretentiously wise men. "I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these thing from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight." Matt. 11:2525At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. (Matthew 11:25); 1 Cor. 1:18, 2918For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)
29That no flesh should glory in his presence. (1 Corinthians 1:29).