These Were More Noble than Those in Thessalonica...Why?
Posted: Wednesday, October 07, 2009
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
Thessalonica today is the second largest city in Greece and is the capital city of the region of Macedonia. The entire urban area holds approximately three-fourths million people. The ancient city was established by King Cassandra in 315 B.C. and was named after his wife, Thessalonike. During the time of the early church, it was largely gentile although there were some Jews living there.
He first stopped where Lydia and her companions were taught and converted from their observance of the Mosaical law, she and her household were baptized into Christ. This is also where they were thrown into prison which resulted in the Philippian Jailer and his household also being converted and baptized into Christ. (Acts chapter 16)
Once it was determined that they were Roman citizens, they were released from prison and went on their way, through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica. It is recorded that he preached and reasoned with the Jews in their synagogue for three Sabbath days. Now here is what the scriptures tell us occurred, using the New American Standard Version;
And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar; and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people. When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have upset the world have come here also; and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the others, they released them. (Acts 17:4-9)
The record further tells us that the brethren slipped Paul and Silas out by night and they went to Berea, where they as usual entered the synagogue of the Jews. Now, this is where the title of our article comes into light. In verse 11 of the same chapter 17 we read this: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
One reader asked me, after reading that verse, "What was wrong with the church at Thessalonica?" Well, there was nothing wrong with the church at Thessalonica, because it had not been established there at the time Paul was preaching to them, nor was it established here in Berea before. Luke, the writer of acts has reference to the Jews Paul was addressing. The next verse tells us, "Therefore many of them believed; also honorable women which were Greeks and of men, not a few".(KJV).
There are considerations which have to be thought out in cases such as this. Most of the Jews were quite familiar with the Torah (Pentateuch, or first five books of the bible) but not always so knowledgeable of the prophets and other Old Testament books. The New Testament had not yet been written and those who learned of the gospel message, had to hear it from those who had had been gifted with inspiration, or read it in their letters, etc. But the gospel message from the apostles and other first century evangelists was primarily taught from the prophets, by showing where it was foretold of the coming messiah, His virgin birth, His death and His resurrection and then explaining the teachings of Jesus while he was here. It was these scriptures which the Bereans were searching daily to see if those things Paul was teaching them, was correct.
Actually, the church in Thessalonica which started at this visit by Paul, grew into a fine and faithful group of God's children. It was only that the specific Jews to whom Paul was teaching, were unconcerned and not many (the scriptures say "some") believed and obeyed the gospel. This compared to the reference to the Jews in Berea, it says "Many" believed.
It sometimes seems strange to people who read that Paul, the "Chosen vessel" of Jesus to go and teach the gentiles, and kings and children of Israel (Acts 9:15), almost without fail went first to the synagogues to start his teaching. Most of his efforts were in gentile countries, but in most of the bigger cities where there were enough Jews to have a synagogue. He, being a Jew and knowing that the gospel message was supposed to be first delivered to the Jews, probably did this on purpose.
One can notice for instance, as he made his way to Thessalonica, he went through two smaller cities, Amphipolis and Apollonia. These probably did not have enough Jews to have their own synagogue. It is a requirement of Orthodox Jews that there be a minimum of ten men to form a "minyan" for communal prayer.
It is also likely that Paul knew that the best place to find an assembly of people was at the synagogue and it was also customary there to allow a visitor to speak. The apostle Paul made three missionary trips and then a trip as a prisoner to Rome. Regardless of his circumstances, he proclaimed the words of Jesus Christ wherever he went until he was beheaded for his stand in Rome. We all ought strive to be more like Paul. We need to strive to be like Jesus, but we are not able to reach that level.
This Article has been viewed 380 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Thanks Joel! I am such a chicken and pray that MARANATHA is a reality before we get to the point of being beheaded, how about you? MarijoYes, indeed. Thanks for the comment.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.