Thessalonika: difficulties with the Jews - Acts 17:1-9 - N. T. - 

Passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they eventually reached Thessalonika, where there was a Jewish synagogue. Paul as usual introduced himself and for three consecutive Sabbaths developed the arguments from scripture for them, explaining and proving how it was ordained that the Christ should suffer and rise from the dead. 'And the Christ' he said 'is this Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.' Some of them were convinced and joined Paul and Silas, and so did a great many God fearing people and Greeks, as well as a number of rich women.

The Jews, full of resentment, enlisted the help of a gang from the market place, stirred up a crowd, and soon had the whole city in an uproar. They made for Jason's house, hoping to find them there and drag them off to the People's Assembly; however, they only found Jason and some of the brothers, and these they dragged before the city council, shouting, 'The people who have been turning the whole world upside down have come here now; they have been staying at Jason's. They have broken every one of Caesar's edicts by claiming that there is another emperor, Jesus.' This accusation alarmed the citizens and the city councillors and they made Jason and the rest give security before setting them free.

Cf. - Philippians 4:16 - N. T. - You were the only ones; and twice since my stay in Thessalonika you have sent me what I needed.

Cf. - Acts 13:5+ - 

Cf. - Luke 24:25-27, 46-47 - N. T. - Then Jesus said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?' Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, Jesus explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.

Cf. - Acts 2:23+; 18:5+; 13:43; 10:2+; 13:45+ -

Cf. - Romans 16:21 - N. T. - Timothy, who is working with me, sends his greetings; so do my companions, Lucius, Jason and Sosipater.

Cf. - Acts 24:5 - 

Cf. - Luke 23:2 - N. T. - They began their accusation by saying, 'We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king'.

Cf. - John 19:12-15 - N. T. - From that moment Pilate was anxious to set him free, but the Jews shouted, 'If you set him free you are no friend of Caesar's; anyone who makes himself king is defying Caesar'. Hearing these words, Pilate had Jesus brought out, and seated himself on the chair of judgement at a place called the Pavement, in Hebrew Gabbatha. It was Passover Preparation Day, about the sixth hour. 'Here is your king' said Pilate to the Jews. 'Take him away, take him away!' they said. 'Crucify him!' 'Do you want me to crucify your king?' said Pilate.

Fresh difficulties at Beroea - Acts 17:10-15 - N. T. -

When it was dark the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away to Beroea, where they visited the Jewish synagogue as as they arrived. here the Jews were more open-minded than those in Thessalonika, and they welcome the word very readily; everyday they studied the scriptures to check whether it was true. Many Jews became believers, and so did many Greeks women from the upper classes and a number of the men.

When the Jews of Thessalonika heard that the word of God was being preached by Paul in Beroea as well, they went there to make trouble and stir up the people. So the brothers arranged for Paul to go immediately as far as the coast, leaving Silas and Timothy behind. Paul's escort took him as far as Athens, and went back with instructions for Silas and Timothy to rejoin Paul as soon as they could.

Cf. - Acts 13:5+ -

Cf. - John 5:39 - N. T. - You study the scriptures, believing that in them you have eternal life; now these same scriptures testify to me, and yet you refuse to come to me for life!

Cf. - Acts 14:2+ -

Cf. - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 - N. T. - When we could not bear the waiting any longer, we decided it would be best to be left without a companion at Athens, and sent our brother Timothy, who is God's helper in spreading the Good News of Christ, to keep you firm and strong in the faith and prevent any of you from being unsettled by the present troubles.

Cf. - Acts 18:5 -                                       -  PAGE  126  -

Paul at Athens

Paul waited for them in Athens and there his whole soul was revolted at...

                                                      -  PAGE  127  -

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Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!

Why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord" and not do what I say?' "Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and acts on them - I will show you what he/she is like. He/She is like a man/woman who when he/she built his/her house dug, deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built. But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man/woman who built his/her house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!" - Luke 6:46-49 - 

If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ Jesus, who is the head by whom the whole body is fitted and joined together, every joint adding its own strength, for each separate part to work according to it function. So the body grows until it has built itself up, in love." - Ephesians 4:15-16 - 

I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, he will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come. He/She will glorify me, since all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine. Everything the Father has is mine; that is why I said: all he/she tells you will be taken from what is mine." - John 16:12-15 -

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