5. Endurance
• The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and
Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be
stripped and beaten. After they had been severely
flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer
was commanded to guard them carefully. (Acts 16:22-
23)
• They came to appease them and escorted them from
the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After
Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to
Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and
encouraged them. Then they left. (Acts 16:39-40)
6. Endurance
• When they had passed through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica (Acts 17:1)
• Philippi to Amphipolis – 27 miles
• Amphipolis to Apollonia – 33 miles
• Apollonia to Thessalonica – 40 miles
• Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days
of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out
from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in
the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;
for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid
again and again when I was in need (Philippians 4:15-
16)
7. Opposition
• Sometimes the opposition is anti-Semitic
• Sometimes the opposition is from the Jews
• The enemy is behind it all (1 Thessalonians 2:18)
• Paul may have had to change his plans
• God is in control
8. Growth
• These churches were so young
Paul was prevented from being with them
(1 Thessalonians 2:18)
He prays for them constantly
(1 Thessalonians 3:10)
He is filled with joy on account of them
(1 Thessalonians 3:9)
9. Growth
• There is growth in numbers
Some of the Jews were persuaded and
joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number
of God-fearing Greeks and not a few
prominent women. (Acts 17:6)
Many of the Jews believed, as did also a
number of prominent Greek women and
many Greek men (Acts 17:12)
10. Growth
• There is growth in maturity
They examined the scriptures (Acts 17:11)
They changed ( 1 Thessalonians 1:9)
Their witness rang out to others
(1 Thessalonians 1:8)
They supported the ministry
(Philippians 4:15-16)
11. Proclamation
• To Jews Paul reasons from the scriptures
(Acts 17:2, 11)
• To Gentiles Paul appeals to their desire for
knowledge
His message is still rooted in scripture
His message concerns the nature of God and
human responsibility
12. Proclamation
• For both Jews and gentiles the message is the
same
“This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the
Christ,”
“In the past God overlooked such
ignorance, but now he commands all people
everywhere to repent. For he has set a day
when he will judge the world with justice by
the man he has appointed. He has given
proof of this to all men by raising him from
the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)
13. Division
• Three responses
1. Some of them sneered (Acts 17:32)
2. Others said, “We want to hear you again on
this subject.” (Acts 17:32)
3. Some believed (Acts 17:34)
