Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 1

January 1;   Acts 17:3;   106/260(II);   ‘Faithful Paul’

 Acts 17:3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."

 Paul and his traveling companions were now in Thessalonica.  As the Apostle Paul always did, he went into the synagogue in Thessalonica and for three Sabbaths shared the scriptures.  Verse 3 tells us that Paul explained the scriptures.  This is so important.  People need to not only hear the scriptures, but be taught exactly what those scriptures mean.  Bible School training is so important, so that the man or woman of God who teach the Word of God, teach it accurately.  Paul also demonstrated with signs and wonders, the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus on our behalf.  The Bible says that teaching the Word, with miracles, signs and wonders following, is fully sharing the scriptures.  The Apostle Paul was incredibly diligent to follow this pattern of going to the synagogue first in whatever city he went to, in order to share the Word with the Jews and Gentiles in attendance.  The Bible goes on to say in verse 4 that ‘some of them were persuaded.’  Not everyone will believe the Word, not even when the Apostle Paul shared the scriptures.  Our responsibility is to share the gospel with people.  The Holy Spirit deals with the spirit of those who hear.  As with Jesus, the interest of the Jews and Gentiles in Paul and his ministry caused envy among the Jews who did not believe.  To avoid undue violence Paul and Silas were sent to Berea by the believers.  As soon as Paul and Silas got to Berea they went into the synagogue and did exactly what they did in Thessalonica.  The faithfulness and of Paul is a powerful testimony.  He told us to imitate him as he imitated Jesus.  What an example to follow.