After Paul and Silas conquered the enemy in Philippi, where they were beaten, jailed and tortured, they carried on their mission to preach the gospel of the Christ to neighboring cities where the Lord blessed the missionaries with a bountiful harvest.
“1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.” (Acts 17:1)
Paul and Silas traveled along the great Roman military road that started in Rome, passed through Greece and extended to Macedonia. Amphipolis was about a day’s journey, southwest of Philippi or approximately 30 miles away. Apollonia was about a day away from Amphipolis, and Thessalonica, the thriving commerce driven city of over 70,000 residents, another day’s travel, about 25 miles west of Apollonia.
Each city featured large numbers of Jews who gathered at synagogues, which presented an ideal mission field for preachers of the gospel.
“2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” (Acts 17:2-3)
Because of his Jewish heritage, when Paul entered a city, he made a habit of starting out at synagogues where he used his knowledge of scripture to establish himself as a educated, credible individual, then shared the truth about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ.
The missionary, accompanied by his fellow servants, Silas and Timothy, continued to preach the gospel for 3 weeks in Thessalonica where a large number of people believed, and were saved.
“4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.” (Acts 17:4)
Of those who were saved from their faith in the Christ, a few were Jews, most were Greek Gentiles. It would be Jews who would go on the offensive against Paul and Silas, and make attempts to have them persecuted or even arrested for their attempt at conversion to Christianity. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Luke,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
