Acts 17:18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
 
PAUL was preaching the gospel. To preach means he declared the specifics of mankind’s existence and purpose based on God’s redemptive plan and fulfillment in Jesus the Christ. He told the truth about sin and everyone’s need for a Savior. Paul used Scripture to affirm his words. God’s Word came to Athens through God’s chosen apostle to the Gentiles.
   In response, the trained philosophers who commonly debated questions of human existence and purpose labeled God’s messenger a babbler. The philosophers who sought an orderly understanding of human nature were unable to believe that Jesus, a man from Nazareth in Galilee of Judea, could he be named “Son of God.” How could it be the Son of God was horribly crucified as a Roman insurgent? Surely he did not rise from the dead and ascend to heaven! Even more, how could this ascended man send the Holy Spirit of God to the world? Where is this Spirit who changes minds to know this Jesus? Did this babbler really say these things happened because God, the Father, loves us? Did this Father cause all this to happen, so we can be saved? What does it mean to be saved?
   A babbler is one who gossips and talks with trickery. Paul’s preaching in the marketplace seemed full of trickery to these educated, methodical men. Even though Paul would have given historic evidence of the gospel, the truth seemed to be the rantings of a strange philosophy no one could or would understand. Who in the world had ever spoken such things?
   Still today many missionaries and evangelists encounter the same response to the gospel. Some of you may encounter this very often as you enter into tribes, villages or regions where no one knows God’s gospel. Your gospel talk may sound as if you are trying to trick them. The human mind is very reluctant to reject ancient traditions and philosophies that hold us tightly to restrictive, even demeaning rules. Human nature believes God’s gracious love is much too good to be true! Family members, neighbors and the culture in general believe the gospel is babble.
   Still, the Spirit was working in Athens. The philosophers did not chase Paul away, beat him or jail him as others had done. They wanted to hear more.
   Yes, from the very beginning Satan has hidden the truth. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. The barriers to truth stand tall, but God’s grace is higher, wider, longer and deeper. Be ready to speak, so what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. (Romans 1:19)
 

Acts 17:16-17 While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
 
WE recall violent men from Thessalonica had traveled to Berea to stop Paul’s preaching. Some Bereans took Paul to Athens to be safe. For some reason Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. Perhaps they could continue their evangelism in a less public method than Paul normally did. We thank God he has and does use many people in many ways to advance the gospel in families, neighborhoods and villages, even as people oppose Jesus’ good news.
   Athens was meant as a safe haven for Paul. He would perhaps find some rest while awaiting Silas’ and Timothy’s arrival. But Athens quickly became Paul’s next mission field.
   In the U.S. we call police, fire fighters and medics “First Responders” because they are the first to help people in distress. Paul is God’s First Responder in Athens. He quickly saw Athens was in spiritual distress. Beautiful art forms, architecture and a world-famous university gave Athens the reputation as a center of art and education. But many temples, statues and worship spaces glorified the man-made god images Satan had given to the depraved mind. What could a man of God do but help the blind to see and the deaf to hear? It was time for Jesus’ mind-transforming gospel to rescue Athens. They needed immediate help!
   Paul, the practiced First Responder did what he always did. He went to a synagogue. As we have seen in Philippi, there were some Roman communities where Jews were persecuted and even banned. In many cities and regions, though, the Jews were tolerated. Some were even encouraged and honored as good citizens. Their lawful lives and religious practices were seen as a model to good citizenship and productive life. Certainly the faithful Jews who attended synagogue spoke of Yahweh as Creator and law giver. They followed God’s commands to protect themselves from the idols. After all, idolatry had destroyed their ancestors’ land.   
   Thus Paul found Jews and God-fearing Greeks in the synagogue. Luke doesn’t tell us how these synagogue members responded. We can believe there was, as always, a mixed response to the gospel. Some would believe and rejoice! Others would reject and dismiss Jesus and Paul’s heart to help them.
   First Responders anticipate a call for help and are prepared to immediately act to save lives and protect people from further harm. This, dear Christian, we must have that “First Responder” mindset, too. We all know people who need help to be saved from eternal destruction. Let’s be prepared to act when the Spriit calls us. 

Acts 17:13-14 When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
 
WHAT were the Jews from Thessalonica thinking? Paul had preached God’s love and grace to send a redeeming Messiah to them. These Jews not only refused to see the gospel truth in the Scriptures, they violently resisted Paul to force him to leave. Now these same hateful unbelievers traveled 100 miles to aggressively oppose Paul. Once more, their aggression forced Paul to move on.
   We can wonder why the Berean Jews and Gentiles, who had come to believe the gospel, did not defend Paul. Were they afraid of the opposition? Did the gospel embarrass them?  Did they not fear God? Could the Berean residents not restrain the agitators from Thessalonica? The Thessalonians’ threats were apparently too frightening to oppose.
   Is this an example of the modern church? The church has given way to God’s hateful opponents for a long time. When God’s enemies have threatened to remove Christian literature from schools, courthouses and other public places, the church has often avoided the battle and accepted the oppositions’ demands. Sin has boldly entered the public domain because the church has quietly stepped aside. We wouldn’t want anyone to be offended by the truth of God’s righteousness, would we? Is the gospel only real on Sunday morning?
   Scripture reveals sin is intolerant, angry and deadly. Its destruction begins with God cursing the ground to produce thistles and thorns and killing animals to clothe Adam and Eve and then (Genesis 3:17-21). We then read of murderous intent in Genesis that forces God to flood the world. Sin drives Jospeh’s brothers to capture and enslave him. Evil intent separates many in Israel from the God who delivered them from Egypt’s furnace. Sin killed the prophets and destroyed Israel and Judah. Sin killed the Savior. The opposition to God has destroyed millions of his faithful believers and continues its persecution.
   The sinner has no room in his heart for truth. He will not be satisfied until Jesus’ church is as the spiritually dead Israel once was: Judges 21:25 In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.
   We can wonder why the Sovereign Lord tolerates this evil in his world. But then we can be thankful he has kept us safe until the day he renewed us to believe in Jesus and be saved. As we await the day God will destroy all evil, our prayer must be that God will deliver us from sin’s attacks. Our LORD God commands us to stand firm to exalt his name. Paul would later write to the faithful in Thessalonica: 2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers (Remember this is everyone in the church.), stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.   
 Be thankful for the church’s history to overcome the opposition. We must be faithful to protect the church for future generations.               

Acts 17:10 As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
 
PAUL never allowed opposition and danger to stop him. This was his life to which Jesus had called him. From the beginning of his ministry, sudden departure from danger even at nighttime was common (Acts 9:25). Paul’s response was to continue seeking opportunities to teach Jesus is the Christ. The synagogue in Berea is his next gospel platform.
   God has prepared an open-minded congregation. Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians. How did the Bereans show this?
   First, they received the message with great eagerness. Yes, we should always be excited and eager to hear the good news Jesus is Savior. To know he is the Way to Life Everlasting must stir our hearts to joy and thanksgiving.
   Then the Bereans next did something every Bible student and church should do. They examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
   We have read in Acts the apostles’ gospel preaching method was to teach the Old Testament Scriptures as God’s plan of salvation fulfilled in Jesus. They taught of God’s grace to create a covenant with Abraham to bless the nations. The apostles gave evidence that Jesus is the Christ, the fulfilment of prophecy throughout Israel’s history. His humble life, powerful ministry, horrible death, glorious resurrection and inspiring ascension prove the Scriptures.
   In response to hearing the preaching and reading the Scriptures, many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. The gospel is for all. There must never be any thought certain people do not deserve to hear the gospel, or God does not want certain nations or tribes of people in heaven with him.
    Once again, the Spirit has planted a new church. Seed by seed the church is growing. It’s future strength will depend on the believers’ commitment to the gospel. Opposition will come against them as it has confronted the evangelists. Will the new church persevere to continue on as Paul has done? 

Acts 17:2-3 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he said.
 
OUR impression is Paul, Silas and Timothy were teaching at the synagogue for three Sabbaths. But we learn from Philippians 4:15 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; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Again and again means the evangelists were in Thessalonica for some time. The new, small church in Philippi was supporting the three evangelists with regular offerings as they taught Jesus is the Christ.
   We must stop to consider what it meant for the Jews to hear, “Jesus is the Christ!” everywhere the apostles preached. This was an extremely radical departure from what the Jews had learned in their synagogue for generations. The faithful Jews understood the law pointed to a supreme Christ, who would come in glory and power to overthrow all opposition. He would be enthroned in Jerusalem. All nations would bow to his authority.
   That will happen one day when Jesus returns. But in the meantime, the Jews could not accept a man from Nazareth (Few knew Jesus was born in Bethlehem.) who was crucified, dead and buried could possibly be the prophesied Christ – the Messiah of conquest and physical salvation.
   Still, in God’s grace as is always true, vs. 4 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. But to the majority of the Jews, hostile opposition was the only correct response to Paul’s teaching:
 
Acts 17:5 But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 
 
Did you read how the Jews organized a riot? This method is still true for many who use violence to promote their cause. They did not care who they attacked. Jason owned the house where the evangelists lodged. He quickly became the mob’s scapegoat.
 
Acts 17:6 But when they did not find Paul, Silas and Timothy, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”
 
In the same way the Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking Roman law, the Jews accused the gospel teachers with large exaggerations and lies.
 
Acts 17:8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.
 
In each place Paul and Silas had ministered, there was a time God opened the gospel to be taught and people to confess, “Jesus is the Christ.” Then evil drove the Truth away. Be alert in your individual faith and in your church. Do not let people who reject the gospel separate you from Jesus.
 

Acts 16:40-17:1 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. 17:1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.  
 
​LET’S first clarify some language. Read verse 40 carefully. Silas and Paul are escorted from prison. They go to Lydia’s house. Who were the people at Lydia’s  house? Women, men and likely children. Then Luke wrote: They met with the brothers and encouraged them. Why did he not say, “They met with the brothers and sisters.” when women were present?
   In truth Luke was referring to all the people at Lydia’s home. It is common in the New Testament epistles to use brothers when referring to all in the church. This language can seem to minimize women and is often a deterrent today to women who do not know God or understand women’s remarkable role to advance God’s kingdom.
   Brother is actually very meaningful to all who believe Jesus is Lord. Brother in Greek means to “be connected in the womb”. In John’s gospel and epistles, he refers to believers as children of God. John teaches us we are connected to each other through Jesus, who came from Mary’s womb. Because he was born of the virgin, Jesus qualifies to be Savior. Through him, the Father has granted new birth to you who believe. Your profession of faith is new life, born into the light of God’s revelation. In a wonderful proclamation of God as Creator we read in Job 38:29 From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens. God births the world into existence. Indeed, our life in Christ is created from and through God’s power and favor. In this way, brother does refer to all in the church.
   Paul, Silas and let’s remember Timothy then traveled about 100 miles to Thessalonica. Why did they stop there? Thessalonica was independent of Roman governing authority. Jews had a synagogue and apparently lived there in peace. There was a base to work from as Paul had often done.
   Remember again, Jesus commissioned Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles. Even though Paul is beginning his teaching with Jews, he will learn God has prepared many Gentiles to come to faith. Men, women, Jews and Gentiles come from God’s womb. He has sent Jesus to bless the nations.  

Acts 16:35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” 37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” 38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.
 
FROM Acts 16:16 to this point fear and lack of fear have influenced people’s response to Paul’s and Silas’ gospel preaching. When Paul exorcised the demon from the slave girl, the Philippians had no fear of God. They were only concerned the two men threatened the culture’s worship of idols.
   In contrast, when the earthquake released the prisoners, the jailer’s fear turned his heart to God. He knew he was under the authority of a supernatural force.
   Now Philippi’s authorities are afraid Paul and Silas will charge them of violating Rome’s laws. How quickly the authorities are willing to please the men they sentenced to lashings and the deepest darkness of prison. Fear and no fear motivate our behavior.
   God wants you to fear him. He says so in many circumstances throughout Scripture. The most direct is Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Jesus very pointedly warned of the consequences to a soul that does not fear God: Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Does that motivate you?
   Your fear of God must be grounded in the understanding he will justly judge your life based on your response to his Word. No fear of God led to Israel’s and Judah’s destruction: Jeremiah 3:8 I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.
   To fear God is to gain the wisdom and knowledge to honor his law. You worship his holiness. You submit to his commands. You delight in his love. You understand God teaches you what is right because the Father wants you with him.
   God gives you this eternal promise: Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
   Trust God’s warnings. Rejoice in his promises. Thank God Jesus has come to teach you a proper fear of God opens the door to your eternal life.  

Acts 16:26-27 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.
 
VIOLENCE had assaulted God’s servants. It was time for the Lord’s justice in Philippi. But God did not shake the jail that night to condemn. He came to save.
 
Acts 16:28-29 But Paul shouted, “Don't harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
 
Paul had demonstrated God’s power when he removed an evil spirit from a slave girl. The people angrily responded because they did not fear God’s power. The jailer is different.
   The jailer felt the earthquake – a natural occurrence – and he saw the prison doors opened. This, too, could be a result of the violent earthquake. But then he saw something very unnatural. All the prisoners were free of their chains, but they all remained in prison! The jailer’s life was on the line. Unlike the unruly mob, the jailer became afraid. A fear of an unknown power grew inside of him. He understood the God to whom Paul and Silas sang was the reason for the earthquake, the open doors, the loose chains and the prisoners remaining. The Holy Spirit opened this desperate man’s heart. He knew God’s righteous judgment confronted him. He needed help.
   What would save him from death? What would save his soul? Apparently he had heard of Paul’s and Silas’ work in Philippi. He heard their songs and witnessed their faith amid their suffering. He then asked the question every Christian wants to hear. V. 30 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
   Paul and Silas, of course, could only give one answer, one that changed the jailer’s life: v 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.” Paul and Silas continued to teach the gospel: V 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
   The jailer became captive to Christ. He cared for Silas and Paul. V. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds. In response to the jailer’s and his family’s faith, v. 33 he and all his family were baptized. They were born again. God’s violent intrusion into the jail had judged the family into eternal salvation. It is likely the Spirit saved many other prisoners who had witnessed God’s grace.
   Joy filled the new children of God. V 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God – he and his whole family. The rescued man cared for the good news messengers.
 
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)
 

Acts 16:23b-25 The jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
 
WHAT would you do if you had been judged guilty without a trial, beaten, flogged, put into a prison’s most inner cell and shackled to stocks? Hopefully you would pray as Paul and Silas did. But would you sing hymns, too? We don’t know the words to their hymns, but we can believe they sang praise and thanksgiving hymns to our Lord. This is the kind of response Paul preached: 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.  
   These are easy words to preach, but very difficult words to live! When we remember that Paul had once had the authority to cause great suffering among Christians, this unfair prosecution could have been extremely difficult for Paul to accept. How was it possible for Paul and Silas to so faithfully respond to their suffering?
   You could say they have had much opportunity to learn. We have read that opposition encountered Paul and Barnabas, then Paul and Silas wherever they went. The evangelists expected opposition. Jesus, too, said to Ananias in Acts 9:16 “I will show him (Paul) how much he must suffer for my name.”  As his new life in Christ began, Paul had spent three years in study and retreat to more personally know the Scriptures’ pointing to the Savior. He would have also come to more personally understand Jesus’ obedience to suffer to redeem his life.
   For about 20 years, Paul had experienced many obstacles. And he had experienced a very personal, deepening relationship with his Suffering Savior. The more diligently Paul and Silas had preached the gospel and the more assuredly he had stood before his persecutors, the more the men could truly be joyful and give thanks in all circumstances. Paul and Silas had lived God’s goodness through all types of conditions.
   Their singing response to pain and suffering is a faithful response to God’s enduring, eternal love. In every aspect of their life, they knew they belonged to God. What did their earthly circumstances matter? Jesus had saved them.  
 

Acts 16:19-21 When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

THE slave girl no longer (v.16) had a spirit by which she predicted the future. Paul and Silas have cast an evil spirit from her. Her furious owners lost a lucrative income. But the slave owners do not attack the evangelists for their financial lost. Instead, they charge that Paul and Silas were advocating customs unlawful for us Romans. In other words, the slave owners attacked God’s gospel that proclaimed Jesus’ dominion – his lordship – over all.
   History tells us the Romans were very jealous about their gods. Roman citizens rejected new religions, which included the segment of faithful Jews, who obeyed the LORD God’s laws. At one point some Jews were banished from Rome.
   The accusers attack on the Jews quickly stirred the crowd and the authorities against Paul and Silas.
 
Acts 16:22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23a After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison.
 
How violently the people reacted! We’ll see this kind of evil passion against Paul again. For many days he had been speaking the gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God. A new church was formed in Lydia’s house. No one seemed to notice until Paul’s public display of Jesus’ dominion over evil spirits. The people of Philippi did not fear God’s power to drive out the demon. They only saw a threat to their pagan culture. Psalms 36:1 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
   This the condition of the sinful heat. It desires to have dominion over God’s goodness. Satan wants us to hold tightly to a culture that worships him.
   But Jesus has come to break evil’s grasp and to establish his reign throughout the world. The LORD prepared the Jews for this: Daniel 7:14 The Son of Man was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
   This is the truth the unbelieving world labels Unlawful. All Christians know Jesus’ dominion is everlasting. Many in Philippi are about to learn Jesus’ proclamation of dominion, “The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.” (John 3:31)