1 Thessalonians 1 Part 1 A New Church Planted At Thessalonica
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The city of Thessalonica was connected to the Egnation Way, a major Roman road. In addition, the city had a seaport on the Aegean Sea.
Thessalonica's strategic location made it into a prosperous city handling a large flow imported and exported goods or materials.
Paul and Silas traveled on the Egnatian Way from Philippi after the conversion of the Philippian jailor.
The photo below shows a portion of the Egnatian Way as it is today. Many of the old Roman roads are still used, and their robust construction helped spread the gospel.
We will begin by looking at how this church was planted by the Apostle Paul.
Paul and Silas found the Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica.
Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
The Egnatian Way led Paul and Silas from Philippi past Amphipolis and Apollonia. The distance by foot was about 100 miles.
Even after 2,000 years, many Roman roads are still in use, a testament to the quality of Roman construction.
Amphipolis was built on an island in the river Strymon. The city name means "a city surrounded by the sea" because the river flowed around the island community.
It is likely that Paul and Silas stayed overnight at both Amphipolis and Apollonia, as this would divide the journey into about 33 miles travel each day.
Paul preached the gospel to the Jews for three weeks.
Act 17:2-3 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3) 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.
The apostle Paul had a God ordained process for preaching and church planting. He always found where the Jewish synagogue was when he arrived in a new community.
A Jewish synagogue always served as Paul's launching point for preaching the gospel of Christ.
The Jews had a working knowledge of the scriptures and of God.
Paul went to this synagogue and preached the gospel to Jews and Gentiles for three weeks.
Paul always began by preaching to the Jews, offering them the good news first. He did not turn to the Gentiles until the Jews rejected the gospel.
Jesus' command to begin preaching at Jerusalem (the Jews) before going to the uttermost parts of the world (the Gentiles) was carried out by Paul.
The Jews heard the good news first, and then the Gentiles were preached to.
The Old Testament prophecies foretold of a coming Messiah in two distinct aspects. A suffering Savior such as in Isaiah 53, and a triumphant King such as in Psalm 2.
This is why Paul preached from the Old Testament scriptures showing that the suffering Messiah of Isaiah 53, must come first, before a triumphant Messiah rules.
Thus, Paul used the Old Testament scripture to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was both Lord and Messiah, who came to save us from our sins.
Some Jews believed but many Gentiles believed.
Act 17:4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
Luke records that some Jews believed the gospel and became followers of the apostles.
The phrase "devout Greeks" refers to Gentiles who were proselytes to the Jewish religion.
The "devout Greeks" went so far as to renounce idolatry, and they sought to live a moral life, but were probably not circumcised.
In addition, many "chief women" also responded to the gospel. It is a fascinating aspect of gospel ministry that women are often more spiritually sensitive than men.
Lydia's heart was open to the gospel and she was converted to Christ.
Acts 16:14-15 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15) And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
For example, in Acts 16 we read of a woman who sold purple fabrics or dyes.
Her heart was opened to the things of God and she was ready to hear Paul preach.
After hearing the Word preached, she responded with faith, and was baptized, along with those who accompanied her.
Paul commends Christian men & women who were active and faithful.
Romans 16:1-16 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: 2) That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3) Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4) Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5) Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6) Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. 7) Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8) Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9) Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10) Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. 11) Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12) Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 13) Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14) Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15) Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 16) Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
Women often more readily respond to gospel preaching. The gospel of Christ elevated women from a lesser status to equality with men.
In his closing to the church at Rome, Paul notes at least 9 women who were faithful and actively serving God.
The gospel instructs husbands and wives of their proper order in the home, and their mutual submission to Christ.
Unbelieving Jews fiercely opposed the gospel of Christ.
Acts 17:5 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.
The same hardened hearts filled with unbelief that rejected and crucified their own Messiah, was present at Thessalonica.
The Jews were filled with pride and became very jealous when Gentiles readily responded to Paul's preaching of the gospel.
They essentially hired some criminal thugs who started a riot and tried to breach the home of Jason where Paul and Silas abode. Jason was a kinsman of Paul (Romans 16:21).
Let us be those who turn the world upside down for Jesus Christ.
Acts 17:6-7 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; 7) Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
Paul and Silas were not found at the home of Jason, so the mob dragged him and a few other Christians, before the city government.
What a stirring testimony of evangelism the mob gave concerning Paul Silas and those who obeyed the gospel!
Oh, that we would faithfully share the gospel and live by its truths, and be counted among those who turned the world upside down for Jesus Christ!
The formal charge was that Jason and others preached that Jesus Christ is King of kings, and was superior to Caesar.
Acts 17:8-9 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9) And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
The rulers were also swayed by the mob mentality and required Jason to put down some assets as security against civil damages.
Paul and Silas safely depart at night.
Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
As soon as the uproar quieted down, the Christians at Antioch sent Paul and Silas away, safely under cover of darkness.
This is Luke's account of how the gospel was received in Thessalonica and how a new church was planted by Paul.
This is a wonderful, Holy Spirit inspired account of how the gospel reached Thessalonica.
What can we learn from this?
First, that some people will respond with unbelief when we share the gospel of Christ with them.
Second, some may respond with gladness and faith when they hear the good news.
Third, organized religion like Judaism will certainly oppose gospel preaching.
Fourth, we must be faithful and share the gospel no matter the cost.
Fifth, God gave the increase and a new church was born.
Last, the power of the gospel and the regenerating work of God's Spirit does indeed turn our world upside down, and this is a good thing.
May the Lord help us grow as we begin to study through Paul's letters to this church.
Bob
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