Lesson: Acts 17

In this article, we will look at Acts Chapter 17. In the previous chapter, Paul and Silas were joined by Timothy where they went through Macedonia, which is north of Greece. They went to Philippi where they baptized Lydia, and continued in their traveling ministry throughout Greece where they were arrested, beaten and thrown in jail. This is where an earthquake occurred and the jail doors were flung open. The jailer was about to kill himself in shame before discovering that none of the prisoners escaped. From there, Paul ministered to the jailer where he was saved. The jailer offered to have them depart, but Paul refused to leave secretly, wanting to have his case heard openly. Their departure to Thessalonica is now where we enter Chapter 17.

Chapter 17

Paul and Silas went to Thessalonica in Greece where they went to the synagogue. It was tradition for them to do this. One has to remember that the original disciples, along with many of the original converts, were Jewish. Early Christianity was seen as an extension of Judaism. As such, it would have been typical for Paul and Silas to make their case in the synagogues there. As mentioned, they won over many new converts. Some were ethnic Jews though. However, most of those who converted in large numbers were Greeks who recently converted to Judaism before converting again. For the powers at be, there were massive issues. 

It's common for those who hold on to power to view what they don't know as a threat, and this is the case with Paul and Silas. Throughout history, anyone who clung onto power, wealth and privilege would do anything to maintain that power. This is still the case. Those who felt threatened would resort to assault, spreading lies, and even murder if the opportunity presents. The ideas of exploiting the meek are incompatible with the teachings of Jesus, and those who embrace the idea of power and privilege knew this too. Throughout the history of Christianity, there have been multiple opponents. From Romans and rival sects, troublemakers within the church, and in this case in Thessalonica, several elder  Jewish rabbis and elders. Nowadays, this can often be other Christians.

Finding unruly men in the marketplace, they formed a mob and went throughout the city looking for Paul and Silas. The mob stormed the house of Jason, who the crowd charged with harbored them. They retorted the line that the Pharisees have used against Jesus in that they were breaking the decree of Caesar by proclaiming that there was another king, Jesus. As mentioned in lessons past, the kingship of Jesus isn't within the earthly realm. The ministry of Jesus is one of spirituality and salvation. It's a movement built upon hope, and not a tool meant to be used for political or social control. Thus, the charges of Jason were dismissed. However, the angry crowd made their presence known. 

Paul and Silas left in the night for Berea. Repeating their process, the first thing they did was go to the synagogue as they did in Thessalonica. However, they were much more warmly received there. Many Jews, along with Greeks and women, converted. However, when word got to Thessalonica that Paul and Silas were in Berea, the crowds went over there and stirred up trouble as well. Man, Paul and Silas can't just get a break! As a result, Timothy and Silas decided to stay and build up the church of believers there, but Paul decided to travel to Athens.

By this point in history, Athens wasn't as prominent of a city as it had been a century or two earlier. The city was still held in very high regard by the Romans as the basis for their own civilization. The Romans were highly influenced by the Greeks, adopting their gods as their own, and the Greeks had many of them too! Thus, the Roman Gods are basically re-branding of Greek gods. Paul was thus going to the source. Paul started to make his case to the Greeks in Athens at the Areopagus. Some Athenians were quite dismissive, while others were more receptive. The Athenians were the type that wanted to know about the latest in philosophy and teachings. 

Paul makes his case by perceiving that the Athenians were very devout and religious, even to the point of them having an altar with the inscription, "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD" . Paul started to tell them about the unknown God; the God isn't seen, but is everywhere. The God who doesn't assume a physical presence, but is with you wherever you go, and is a part of your conscience. A God who is not made with human hands, nor dwells in temples made with them. God is everywhere, and he is for all. This God made all things, on both the Earth and in the universe. He had made everyone, and we are his offspring. He then proceeded to tell the Athenians about Jesus, as God's son, has made the greatest sacrifice, and then validated his sacrifice with the resurrection. While most of the Athenians were dismissive of the idea of the resurrection, they were some believers who embraced the idea.

Conclusion

When one looks thru the chapter, we realize that many will be like the people in Thesslaonica, who were hostile to the teachings of Jesus, like those in Athenians, who were dismissive, and then went on indifferent thru the rest of the day, or like those in Berea, who embraced the teachings of Jesus. This is reflective of the current outcomes of those who minister to Jesus. Some will be hostile, welcoming, or just indifferent. 

Also of note is that again, those who are consumed by their own self-interest and engage in the pursuit of power, privilege, and control will show hostility to those who embrace the word of God. The teachings of Jesus are a contradiction to those who strive for power and control. Those wanting to hold onto there power for whatever reason will spread lies, resort to physical and verbal abuse, and in several cases, resort to murder. The wants of the greedy are universal in nature. This isn't restricted just to one ethnic group. Through the history of Christianity, there have been several battles fought, including those from other Christians. Others will join a church to pursue their personal ambition. Some will paint themselves as God's gift to the church, but only work for their own interest and pursuit, and not that of God. They will empower others, who call themselves Christian, and who share their corrupted interest, and then  mow down those who stand in their way. Those who uphold the teachings of what a church should be as according to the teachings of Jesus. 

The reason why we bring up Paul and Silas is that we often go through our own spiritual battles. We remind ourselves of what they have gone through in their ministry. Despite whatever issues may occur, they didn't lose focus of what their ministry was about. We shouldn't lose focus either. Remember who Jesus is, remember his sacrifice, and remember that he went through that sacrifice because he loves us and he wants us to have that personal relationship with him.