October 26 Daily Devotional

Acts 17

Paul and Silas were not discouraged when they departed from Philippi. They hurried on to carry the glad news of salvation to other towns and cities in Macedonia. They came to the large city of Thessalonica. There they found many Jews and a synagogue where they worshipped. On three sabbath days Paul “reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 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.” And some of the Jews who listened, were convinced by Paul’s preaching and believed; also many Greeks, men and women, became followers of Christ. Thus a large Christian church was established in Thessalonica.

But the Jews, who would not accept the gospel, became very angry when they saw that so many became Christians. They stirred up a crowd of the lowest people in the city and the noisy throng started a riot, and assaulted the house of a man named Jason, with whom they supposed that Paul and Silas were staying. They broke into the house, but did not find them. Then they seized Jason and certain brethren, and dragged them before the rulers of the city, crying, “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.” The rulers of the city were troubled about the riot, but they did not punish Jason severely. The believers, however, feared that greater trouble might arise, if Paul and Silas remained in the city, so by night they departed for Berea.

At Berea Paul and Silas also found a Jewish synagogue. So they met with the Jews on the sabbath days and told them about the Savior who had come, just as the prophets had foretold it. Of the people at Berea it is said, they were more noble than those at Thessalonica. They were tactful and sincere in ascertaining the truth. It is said of them that “they searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” And they found a wonderful agreement, and so “they received the word with all readiness of mind.” Many of them believed, not only Jews, but also Greeks, both men and women. But when the Jews at Thessalonica heard that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. To avoid trouble the believers at once advised Paul to go to another city. So he left immediately, while Silas and Timothy remained to encourage the people. Some of the believers conducted Paul to the sea on his way to Athens, and received a commandment unto Silas. They took back Paul’s message to Silas and Timothy, to come to him with all speed.