Paul's journey to Thessalonica - chapter 2

Paul's entrance into Thessalonica appears to follow the typical pattern of preaching he employed to make known the Gospel. Typical, that is, in that His gospel was Scripture based, Christ-centered and Spirit-led.

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath daysreasoned with them out of the scriptures,Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. Acts 17:1-3

As can be seen, Paul preached the Gospel to the Jews in Thessalonica. Moreover, he preached out of the Scripture's that Jesus was the Christ or Messiah. Notice that Paul preached the full Gospel. He preached the sufferings, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Not only was Paul's gospel message Scripture based and Christ-centered, it was Spirit led.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 1 Thess 1:5,6

Not in word only! Truth is established in the mouth of two or three witnesses. Paul's gospel was made known by Scriptures and by power in the Holy Ghost. Such presentations of the gospel of Jesus Christ result in "much assurance." In addition to their much assurance, these brethren at Thessalonica received the gospel "in much affliction."

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.Acts 17:5

Imagine that! These unbelieving Jews set "all the city on an uproar." This in itself is no small feat considering the fact that Jews were a minority and perhaps a small one at that. Moreover, these lewd and base fellows assaulted the house of Jason in an attempt to bring Paul and his companions out to the people. This was no social invite; this angry mob was out for blood! What made them so rabid? They were "moved with envy."

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Acts 17:6

Having not found Paul or Silas, this mob now takes these new converts, Jason and certain others, to the rulers of the city. What's truly amazing here is the accusations they were crying out concerning the apostles of Jesus Christ. These unbelieving Jews, these lewd and base fellows, were crying unto the rulers of the city, that these men "have turned the world upside down." Glory to God! They witness against themselves that they deny the Almighty power of God, and His Christ.

Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. Acts 17:7

What's even more pathetic than their previous acknowledgment is the accusation they now make. They said that these men "do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus." Here we have Jews going to the law and rulers of the Gentiles and using the civil authorities to enforce questions pertaining to their religious laws. All of these actions were done in an attempt to thwart the gospel message which seemingly, was successful.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. Acts 17:10

On the surface, it appears that these unbelieving, lewd and base fellows’ efforts were fruitful, but their persecution of the saints actually worked unto the furtherance of the Gospel.

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 1Thess.1:6-8

Those persecuted Christians in Thessalonica actually became a model to other churches throughout the world. They became followers of the Lord by imitating Paul and Silas, so that they were examples to all that believed in Macedonia and Achaia. It's in the epistle to this Church, founded in many afflictions at Thessalonica that we learn so much about Paul's "manner of entering in." This truly shows how he became all things to all men that he might "by all means, save some." (1Cor.9:22b)

For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 1Thess.1:9

We have already seen that Paul preached a Scripture based and Christ-centered message. In addition, this gospel message was not in word only but it was accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost bringing about “much assurance.” Upon further examination we can see the tender heart and father like care the apostle had for those he led to Christ.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:1 Thess.2:5-7

Just look at the simple, honest and gentle way in which the gospel message was delivered. "God is witness," said Paul, of the manner in which they presented the gospel to those who believed in Thessalonica. Moreover, he reminded them that they too were witnesses to the way in which the message of salvation was delivered.

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 1Thess.2:8-10

Paul and Silas were willing to lay down their lives for those brethren in Thessalonica, "because ye were dear unto us." Moreover, their effort to preach the gospel was not just once a week on Saturday morning, but rather "labouring night and day...we preached unto you the gospel of God. In addition, the apostle reminds them of "how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe." Would to God that more of His people behave themselves in such manner! Truly, the example set by the apostles was one worth imitating.

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 1Thess.2:11,12

Look at the individual care the apostles had for each and "every one of you." They exhorted and comforted and charged them all to "walk worthy of God...” Moreover, Paul expressed true thanks for their reception of him and the message he delivered.

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 1Thess.2:13

Remember the great affliction and persecution that this Church was under!

For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 1Thess.2:14

Even though they had been spirited away during the night a short time before, Paul repeatedly attempted to return unto these brethren in Macedonia.

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 1Thess.2:17,18

Finally though, when it was more than he could bear, he sent Timothy to Thessalonica to comfort them "concerning your faith."

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 1Thess.3:1,2,

As Paul labored among these brethren in Thessalonica, he never took his eye off the goal. Remember that Paul ran his race so that he could finish the course and win the prize. He said, "I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some." (1 Cor.9:22b) Again, his primary concern was the care for those he had led to the Lord. That his labor, be not in vain.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

Again we see the depth of persecution these saints in Thessalonica faced.That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 1Thess.3:3,4

Today, Christians around the globe would condemn a gospel that says we are “appointed unto afflictions” and that “we should suffer tribulation.” They become indignant at the thought that nothing but "health and wealth" is their God-given right. Perhaps they've never read the section of Scripture regarding Paul's travel through Greece and the establishment of the Christian faith on European soil. Or perhaps they've never read the first few chapters in the book of Acts recording the spread of the Gospel in the face of much persecution and affliction for those who confessed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Yet the Scriptures plainly speak of this group from Thessalonica being "followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus..." (1Thess.2:14a) When Timothy returned with "good tidings of your faith and charity" the apostles were more than a little comforted regarding these brethren.

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 1Thess.3:6,7

It basically left Paul and his fellow laborers speechless.

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 1Thess.3:9

Ultimately, his prayer regarding those brethren at Thessalonica shows us his true heart and encapsulates "what manner of entering in" the apostle had had.

Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 1Thess.3:10-13

So it is in the city of Thessalonica that we see Paul preach a Bible–based, Christ-centered, and Spirit-led gospel. In this place we see his manner of entering in and the tender care he had for the people he preached the gospel to. In turn then, this church at Thessalonica became a model church for the regions of Achaia, Macedonia and beyond.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 1Thess.1:5-8

We would do well to imitate the example left by the venerable apostle Paul, servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

© Copyright 2002 Rev. Todd W. Pekel