Acts 17:1-15

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Paul's Second Missionary Journey Continues

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Scriptures predict the sufferings and resurrection of the Messiah.

  2. The Scriptures prove the historicity and accuracy of the Gospel.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Let’s turn the world upside down!

QUESTIONS

  1. Why do we think Luke stayed in Philippi and did not travel with Paul and the others to Thessalonica?

  2. How long was Paul preaching in Thessalonica?

  3. What was Paul’s approach with the Jews in Thessalonica?

  4. Why must the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 be distinguished from the nation of Israel?

  5. How did some of the Jews in Thessalonica respond to Paul’s preaching?

ANSWERS

  1. Because Luke, the author of Acts, switches the pronouns from ìweî and ìusî to ìtheyî and ìthemî in this section.

  2. This chapter says he preached in the synagogue for three weeks. But he probably stayed there longer teaching the Gentiles as well. We know that the Philippian believers sent financial gifts to Paul more than once in Thessalonica.

  3. Paul showed the Jews that the Old Testament Scriptures predicted the sufferings and resurrection of the Messiah. Then he showed them that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled these prophecies and must be the Messiah.

  4. Although modern Judaism tries to say that the Suffering Servant is the nation of Israel, the two are clearly distinguished in Isaiah 53:8.

  5. They became jealous and formed a mob and tried to get Paul and the others arrested based on the lie that they were trying to undermine Caesarís authority. Later they followed Paul to Berea and stirred up trouble there.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. The entire Bible as God’s Story of Redemption fits together beautifully. The Old Testament sets out the promises about the Deliverer God would send. The New Testament shows step by step how Jesus Christ fulfilled these promises. List as many Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah and their New Testament fulfillments as you can.

  2. The Jews in Berea set an excellent example to follow. When Paul came to them preaching that the Messiah had come, they compared his message with the Scripture, to see whether what he said was true. This is an excellent practice when we come upon new teachings in Christianity. Can you give an example of this which you have seen?

CHALLENGE

  1. Preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ will turn the world upside down in a good way! Want to make a difference in this world? Try Paul’s approach.

KEY VERSES

  • “Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 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

  • “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” Acts 17:6

  • “They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Acts 17:11

Acts, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsActs 17:1-15