Introduction to 1 and 2 Thessalonians (3)

Pray Psalm 27.11-13.
Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.

Read Acts 17.1-9.

Reflect.
1. Upside-down? Really? What were those pagan people seeing?

2. Paul presented Jesus from the Old Testament Scriptures. Could you do that?

Meditate.
In this passage we get a glimpse into Paul’s method and message. As in Philippi, he sought out the place where people might be most inclined to talk about spiritual things. There, it was a prayer group by the river; here, a synagogue. In the synagogue, Paul would have been recognized as a visitor and perhaps even as a rabbi. He would have waited to be called on, but ready when given the opportunity to speak (cf. Acts 13.15).

Paul’s method was to show how the Old Testament pointed to Jesus (Jn. 5.39; cf. Lk. 24.25-27), reasoning from passage to passage to build a case for Jesus as Messiah and Lord. It is unlikely the people of this synagogue would ever have heard such teaching. Synagogue instruction typically consisted of a rehearsal of God’s blessings to past generations, a moral exhortation from the Law or prophets, and some reminder of traditional duties and obligations, together with singing and prayers from the psalms. To have all their instruction focused on a Person would have been most unusual. But it also brought together, in the minds of many, questions they’d puzzled over, images on which they’d meditated, and promises for which they longed. And “some of them were persuaded” and believed in Jesus.

Some of the Jews who heard Paul believed; but “a great multitude of the devout Greek” – those Gentiles who had associated themselves with the synagogue – came to faith, and some of them were women of prominence.

Opposition soon arose, because Paul’s message was not merely that Jesus was Messiah, but that He was King and Lord. This was no longer an ethnic religious issue; suddenly it was political, and those of Paul’s opponents who recognized this resolved to make the most of it. Jason, with whom Paul and the others were staying (v. 7), became the object of the crowd’s ire. After threats and a brief hearing, a bond was put up and he and those arrested with him were let go. But the persecution would continue, as we shall see, even though Paul had moved on. Paul moved on, but the Gospel stayed and flourished.

Prepare.
1. The Greek text describes Paul and his companions as “practicing another King, saying Him to be Jesus.” Is “practicing another King” a good summary of the Christian life? Explain.

2. Paul reasoned and explained and demonstrated Jesus from the Old Testament. Explain each of those terms using one Old Testament passage that teaches you about Jesus.

3. Is King Jesus a political threat? To whom? 

He made both things known from the Scriptures at the same time, that the Christ had to suffer and to rise and that this suffering and resurrection pertained to none other than Jesus of Nazareth. For there were certain ones among the Jews, just as there are today, who were so lacking in faith that, although they could not deny that the suffering and resurrection of the Christ were present in the Scriptures, they nevertheless entirely denied that these things pertained to Jesus, and they preferred to look forward to the antichrist rather than to believe in Jesus Christ. And therefore Paul not only preached the mysteries of the Christ, but he also taught that these mysteries were accomplished in Christ Jesus.  The Venerable Bede (672-735 AD), Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles 16.25

Father, help me to be more consistent in practicing the Kingship of Jesus. Help me, that is, to…

Pray Psalm 27.1-10.
What specific strength do you need from King Jesus today? As you come into His presence, meditate on all His beauty and salvation, and praise Him accordingly.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 27.1-10 (Joanna: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
Lord, You are our Light and our Savior most dear!
You guard us with might; therefore, whom shall we fear?
Though evil surround us, our enemies fall;
No harm shall confound us when on You we call.

One thing we request but to dwell with You, Lord.
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
No foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise!

Hear, Lord, when we cry and be gracious, we pray!
Lord, do not deny us Your favor this day!
Our help, our salvation, though others may fall,
Preserve our good station when on You we call.

T. M. Moore

Where do 1 and 2 Thessalonians fit in the unfolding of God’s covenant? Order our workbook, God’s Covenant, and find out how all Scripture fits within this redemptive framework (click here).

Forward today’s study to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link to the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Paul’s ministry and prepare for your own.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).