Acts 17:1-4

Acts 17:1–4 HCSB

1 Then they traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As usual, Paul went to the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” 4 Then some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a great number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.

A. Solid Messenger (2)—And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures. This is a familiar scene in Paul's ministry. Many times we have found him in the synagogue preaching the Word of God. This was his manner, his approach to ministry. He was surrendered to the Lord and committed to the work.

■ This is very simple, and yet I want to emphasize its significance again. We will never make a difference in our communities or other areas of ministry without faithful servants. Churches that prosper and reach folks for Christ are surrendered to the Lord and committed to the work!

B. A Single Message (3a)—Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; Wherever Paul went, the message was the same. Many times he addressed the struggles we face, and the lives we live, but he always presented the Gospel: Jesus crucified, buried, and risen. The message Paul preached brought conviction and a realization of the need for Christ. He presented Jesus as the Savior and Redeemer of humanity. This message literally turned the world upside down. Responding to the message transformed lives.

Paul spent three sabbath days ministering to the Jews, and Luke used four different words to describe his ministry: "argued" is the Greek word dialexato, which means "discussed" or "conversed"—contrast this with 17:17 where Paul debated (dialego); "explaining" is the Greek word dianoigon, which literally means "opening"; it is used of Jesus' instruction of the two on the road to Emmaus in ; "proving" is the Greek word paratithemenos, which carries the idea of "bringing something forward as a way of proof;" here Paul brought the appropriate Old Testament scriptures before his audience, particularly those that taught the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Messiah, Jesus. First, dialoguing. "Reasoned" (). This involves questions and answers. Paul taught; they would question; he would answer.

Second, interpreting. "Opening" (). The word "opening" means here "explaining" (Griffith Thomas).

Third, proving. "Alleging" (). This word in our day means to declare without proof. The Greek word from which this word is translated means just the opposite. It means to bring proof, to "lay alongside" (Griffith) as evidence.

Fourth, preaching. "Preach" (). This means to declare openly in a pronounced way. Our faith is not to be concealed but declared pronouncedly.

■ The church has many obligations and various facets of ministry. There is much we are responsible for according to the Scriptures, but there is a single message we must present. The world needs to hear the Gospel. That message alone has the ability to reach the lost and change the world. There is much in the Bible regarding our obligations and responsibilities in life, but the primary message and focus of the church is to share the Gospel with a world that needs to hear! All that we are or ever hope to be is founded upon the Gospel and the strength and wisdom we need for everyday life rests in the Gospel. The lost must look to Calvary and the empty tomb, while the saved must keep those in focus. —For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

C. A Sufficient Messiah (3b)—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. Paul dealt with Jews who rejected Jesus as the Christ. He dealt with Gentiles steeped in mythology and all manner of idolatry. Paul proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah; He is the Christ. The Jews had no need to wait or continue to look for another; Messiah had come. The Gentiles needed to realize that Jesus alone could provide salvation and reconciliation to God. He had offered Himself as the sacrificial atonement for sin, fully satisfying the righteous demands of God, securing our salvation! Jesus is the Gospel. He is the Savior and Redeemer; there is no other.

■ I rejoice to know that Jesus is sufficient. He fully provided for my salvation. There is no need to look to another. He did for me what no other could. His finished work has secured my eternal salvation. There will never need to be another sacrifice. I am saved by His atoning work!

■ Church we must never lose sight of that. Jesus must remain our focus and priority. We must present Him as the sufficient Savior. He is all one needs to receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life. May we never be guilty of portraying anything to the contrary! Salvation isn't obtained through works, programs or activities; it is in Jesus alone.

Chris Benfield, Pulpit Pages – Topical Sermons, (Mount Airy, N.C.: Chris Benfield, 2014), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "6. The Commitment of the Church".

Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Acts, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1999), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "".

John G. Butler, Analytical Bible Expositor – Acts, (Clinton, Iowa: LBC Publications, 2009), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 195.