The Book of Acts

Paul & Silas in Berea

Acts 17:10-15 _NLT

“That very night the believers sent Paul & Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.”- Acts 17:10

            All present were aware that the bail bond that was posted for Jason’s release would be forfeited if the authorities found Paul in his home, so they sent the apostle on to Berea. Now Berea was approximately 50 miles SE of Thessalonica. It was in the foothills of the Olympian mountain range. Though the city had no historical or political importance, it’s population was quite large.

            When Paul preached in the synagogue, the Jews there were far more open-minded and tested what was being preached by combing thru the scriptures to verify what Paul was saying. Upon corroborating that which was taught them, they became followers of Christ. Even some of the more prominent Greek woman and some of the Greek men converted to Christianity.

            Once some of the troublemaking Jews from Thessalonica heard Paul was in Berea they went there to stir up trouble. The new Berean converts immediately sent Paul to the coast to Achaia and Athens. It is supposed that he was given the offer to stay with relatives of the converts. It is apparent that Silas and Timothy weren’t in the kind of danger Paul was in, so they were simply told to go to Paul in Athens the following day. 1 Thessalonians 3:1 lets us know that Silas and Timothy were sent back to be with Paul. In the very next verse (3:2) Timothy was sent back to Thessalonica. Acts 18:5 reveals to us that Silas went back to Philippi in Macedonia, where he received monetary support for their missionary trips.

            What can we learn from today’s lesson? In spite of opposition, we must push forward with the task God had given us, regardless of what it is. Do not be afraid of the unknown, for it is known by God who has promised in His word to protect you. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” [Deuteronomy 31:6] “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” [2 Thessalonians 3:3] Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament; Copyright 2004.

The Book of Acts

Luke’s Story

            We know from scripture that Luke was a physician. How do we know that?  Colossians 4:14 tells us, “Luke, the beloved doctor, sends his greetings, and so does Demas.” Apparently scholars have corroborated this fact thru their research. Having a doctor on their missionary journeys was an incredible blessing for Paul & Silas, in that we were getting beaten up for preaching the gospel of Christ and needed medical attention. Doctors are supposed to be known for their compassion and Luke was very compassionate both for the sick and the unsaved that he encountered while on the road with the apostles. Luke was not only highly skilled as a physician but was incredibly faithful to the cause.

                  Being the author of both the gospel bearing his name and the book of the Acts of the Apostles, he was obviously a proven historian as well. He was dedicated to telling the truth about everything that they encountered on their journey. As a matter of fact, his first words in his gospel point that out. “Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”

                  What lessons can we learn from Luke’s life: First of all, the words we speak tell others much about our character. They will leave a lasting picture of who we truly are. Secondly, it will become easy to see what level of integrity we have by how we work when no one else is around to see what we’re doing. Luke was highly respected by all who knew him and a vital part of Paul’s missionary journeys. That is Luke’s story in a nutshell. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

The Book of Acts

Paul Preaches in Thessalonica

Acts 17:1-9 _NLT

“Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.” - Acts 17:1

                  As I read the associated commentaries, I marvel at the distances that the apostles traveled on foot to preach the gospel. Paul’s mission was to go from Philippi to Thessalonica, a mere 100 miles away. For us by car that would take perhaps an hour and a half, depending on the way we went and the speed with which we were traveling. It doesn’t tell us in scripture how long their trip took, but it no doubt took many days. And remember, this was after Paul & Silas were given quite a beating with wooden rods. So physical pain was involved in their travels. Amazing.

                  Now Thessalonica was a major commercial hub in the area which was made the capital of one of the Roman provincial districts. Paul bypassed several other large cities to reach Thessalonica feeling it could be a spiritual center for the region. With an estimated 200,000 inhabitants living there, Thessalonica had a very diverse citizenry. Within the city was a large contingent of Jewish people.

                  It was Paul’s practice to find the local synagogue and preach there for several days. The law in most cities was that if there were at least 10 Jewish men within the city limits they could start a synagogue. With that many Jews in one place Paul knew there would be a public place of meeting, so they went there and did was he always does; he spoke about how Jesus Christ was the long awaited Messiah. He wisely began speaking about Old Testament writings and how the Messiah fulfilled them. The Jewish leaders took no issue with the theology imparted; however some were jealous of the popularity readily achieved by the apostles and the many conversions to Christianity.

Many of his listeners were converted, but some driven by jealousy, rather than doctrinal differences, went out in the public square and rounded up some troublemakers to start a riot against the apostles. As they sought them, they went to a man named Jason’s house. Not finding them there, they dragged Jason before the city council simply because he was housing the two apostles. He was required to post bond (pay money for his freedom ... apparently the same as bail).

The Roman authorities were disinterested in theological disagreements; however, treason was a much more serious office. The Jews told the council that Paul & Silas were professing allegiance to another king other than Caesar, namely Jesus Christ. 

While Paul was unable to return to Thessalonica for the time being, he did write to the believers there. Only after the current authorities had passed on or were unseated could he return. It seems talk of Jesus was causing quite a stir throughout the region. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament; Copyright 2004.

Word for the Day

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot*

* Philip James Elliot (October 8, 1927 – January 8, 1956) was an American Christian missionary and one of five people killed during Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize the Huaorani people of Ecuador.

The Book of Acts

Paul & Silas are put in prison...

Acts 16:16-40 _NLT

“One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes.”- Acts 16:16-17

                  Here we have an interesting story of a demon-possessed slave girl whose unfortunate state was gleaning for her owners a lot of money. The point can be made that this was ill gotten gain and even though the girl was shouting out the truth, it originated from a demonic source within her. What she said as she followed Paul & Silas was, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” After enduring this for a few days (the exact number isn’t given), Paul finally lashed out at the demon saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” The evil spirit immediately left the slave girl. She was perfectly whole, possibly for the first time. However, this event infuriated the owners of the girl, who grabbed the apostles and dragged them before the local authorities. Her masters lied to the city officials stating that the entire city was in an uproar over what they were saying, teaching customs that the Romans were forbidden to practice. This was untrue. Regardless, the officials had Paul and Silas stripped and beaten badly with wooden rods and thrown into prison. The jailer was told to secure them so they could not escape. So he placed them in the inner dungeon and shackled their feet.

At around midnight, the apostles were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly there was an immense earthquake that shook the prison to its foundation ... all the doors flew open & all the shackles of the prisoners fell off. The jailer, seeing all the open doors and the dungeon in ruins assumed the prisoners had all escaped, so he was prepared to take his own life as a consequence. He drew his sword, but just then Paul shouted in a loud voice that all the prisoners were there, and the jailer called for lights, ran into the dungeon and visibly shaken, fell to his knees before the two apostles. He wanted to become saved. Paul declared, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your whole household. 

Dispute the late hour, the jailer tended to Paul & Silas’ wounds and led everyone to his home where they were all baptized. The authorities found out the apostles were both Roman citizens and at Paul’s insistence apologized for their rough treatment, then begged them to leave the city. Since they serve no one but the Lord, they first went to Lydia’s house to encourage the believers there, then left town. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.                      

The Book of Acts

Lydia’s Story

 

            The amazing thing about Paul & Silas’ travels were that wherever they went they found people open to the gospel message that they were presenting.  In Philippi they met such a person in Lydia, a gentile businesswoman. 

Lydia was a dealer in fine purple cloth & dye, which more than likely means she was wealthy. No husband is mentioned, but she does have a home ^{(Acts 16:40)}. She was one of the gentile women who met outside Philippi on the Sabbath to pray by the river with the Jews. That is where the Apostles met Lydia ... at one of their prayer sessions. 

The fact that Lydia partook in these prayer meetings revealed her desire to learn more about God. The Lord honored her spiritual hunger by providing more truth for her to digest. Once she heard the truth about Jesus, she readily believed. Lydia is remembered as Paul’s first European* convert. 

Lydia’s thirst for God was quenched by the Apostles teaching, therefore she didn’t hesitate to get baptized and have the rest of her household come to hear & believe the gospel that was being preached. Apparently they were all saved & got baptized as well.

We can tell by Lydia’s actions that she understood that which was preached & taught & as a result, received the gift of salvation.  This verifies the verse in Matthew 7:16, “...you will know them by their fruits.” Lydia was bearing fruit from the very beginning of her relationship with the Lord. 

Is your life with Christ bearing fruit for the kingdom? Are you asking God to open doors of opportunity to share your faith in your neighborhood, at school or at work? Are you praying for the souls in your circle of influence? It’s a start. We all have gifts. We all need to find out what they are & begin to cultivate them with the help of the Holy Spirit who resides within us. These things are readily available & ours for the asking. God doesn’t need us, but in spite of ourselves, has chosen to use us. That’s His plan, He has no other. Allow yourself to be used by the Lord for His kingdom. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.

* Philippi, an important port city in Macedonia, was considered a part of what could be referred to as Europe at that time.

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