Topical Encyclopedia The Apostle Paul, a pivotal figure in the early Christian Church, faced significant opposition and persecution throughout his ministry. One notable instance of such persecution occurred during his second missionary journey, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. This entry focuses on the events surrounding Paul's persecution by the Jews who came from Thessalonica.Background Paul's second missionary journey, as detailed in Acts 15:36–18:22, was marked by the spread of the Gospel across Asia Minor and into Europe. After receiving the Macedonian call (Acts 16:9-10), Paul and his companions, including Silas and Timothy, traveled to Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, among other locations. In each city, Paul preached the message of Jesus Christ, often beginning his ministry in the local synagogues. Thessalonica In Thessalonica, Paul reasoned with the Jews in the synagogue for three Sabbaths, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, proclaiming Jesus as the Christ (Acts 17:2-3). Some Jews, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and prominent women, were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas (Acts 17:4). However, other Jews were jealous and formed a mob, inciting a riot in the city. They attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring Paul and Silas out to the crowd (Acts 17:5-6). Unable to find them, the mob dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, accusing them of defying Caesar's decrees by claiming there is another king, Jesus (Acts 17:7). The city officials were troubled by these accusations, but after taking security from Jason and the others, they released them (Acts 17:8-9). Berea Paul and Silas were sent away by night to Berea, where they again went to the Jewish synagogue. The Bereans were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, receiving the message with great eagerness and examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true (Acts 17:10-11). As a result, many believed, including a number of prominent Greek women and men (Acts 17:12). Persecution by Jews from Thessalonica The peace in Berea was short-lived. When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds (Acts 17:13). This persistent opposition highlights the intense animosity and determination of the Thessalonian Jews to hinder Paul's ministry. To protect Paul, the Berean believers immediately sent him to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained in Berea (Acts 17:14). Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible (Acts 17:15). Significance This episode of persecution underscores the challenges faced by the early Church in spreading the Gospel. Despite the opposition, Paul's commitment to his mission remained unwavering. The hostility from the Thessalonian Jews serves as a testament to the spiritual battle that accompanied the proclamation of the Gospel. It also highlights the resilience and faith of the early Christians, who continued to support and protect Paul amidst threats and violence. Paul's experiences in Thessalonica and Berea are a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the enduring power of the Gospel to transform lives, even in the face of persecution. Nave's Topical Index Acts 17:13-15But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. Nave's Topical Index Library Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea. Paul's Missionary Labors. Paul in Malta and Rome. The First Epistle to the Thessalonians From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem. Acts xx. 1 Laboring under Difficulties The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians The Extension of the Church Throughout the World Acts XVIII Resources Is the New Perspective on Paul biblical? | GotQuestions.orgDid Paul ever meet Jesus in person? | GotQuestions.org Who was Paul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Paul: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Paul Escapes to Derbe, where he Preaches the Gospel, and Returns to Lystra Paul is Bitten by a Viper and Miraculously Unharmed Paul is Brought Before the Sanhedrin; his Defense Paul is Confined in Herod's Judgment Hall in Caesarea Paul is Confined in the Fortress Paul is Delayed in Melita for Three Months Paul is Encouraged by a Vision from God, Promising Him That he Will Give Testimony in Rome Paul is Escorted to Caesarea by a Military Guard Paul is Persecuted by Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and is Stoned Paul is Persecuted by the Jews Paul is Received by the Brethren Gladly Paul is Released by the Civil Authorities on the Grounds of his Being a Roman Citizen Paul is Returned to the Fortress Paul is Taken to Rome in the Custody of Julius, a Centurion, and a Detachment of Soldiers Paul is Welcomed at the Household of Lydia Paul: Appeals to be Heard by Caesar Paul: Born in the City of Tarsus Paul: Caught up to the Third Heaven Paul: Chooses Silas As his Companion Paul: Contends With Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the Sorcerer Paul: Contends With the Judaizers Against Their Circumcision "Theology" Paul: Conveys the Contributions of the Christians in Antioch to the Christians in Jerusalem Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) With Greeks Paul: Declares he Was Going Bound in Spirit to Jerusalem Paul: Educated at Jerusalem in the School of Gamaliel Paul: Enters the Temple Courtyard Paul: Escapes by Being Let Down from the Wall in a Basket; Goes to Jerusalem Paul: Escapes to Berea by Night Paul: from the Tribe of Benjamin, Paul: Goes Through Phrygia and Galatia Paul: Goes to Troas, where he Has a Vision of a Man Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia Paul: Has "A Thorn in the Flesh" Paul: Has Barnabas As his Companion Paul: Heals the Ruler's Father and Others Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii Paul: His Independence of Character Paul: His Message Received Gladly by the Gentiles Paul: His Resolute Determination to Go to Jerusalem Despite Repeated Warnings Paul: His Trial Before Governor Felix Paul: His Trial Before Governor Festus Paul: His Vision and Conversion Paul: Jewish Leaders Conspire Against his Life Paul: John (Mark), a Companion of, Departs for Jerusalem Paul: Kind Treatment by the Inhabitants of the Island Paul: Lives in his own Rented House for Two Years, Preaching and Teaching Paul: Makes his Second Tour of the Congregations Paul: Meets some Brethren Who Accompany Him to Rome from Appii Forum Paul: Persecuted by Jews, Drawn Before the Deputy, Charged With Wicked Lewdness Paul: Persecuted by the Jews Who Come from Thessalonica Paul: Persecuted, Beaten, and Cast Into Prison With Silas Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen Paul: Preaches in Damascus for the First Time Paul: Predicts Misfortune to the Ship; his Counsel not Heeded, and the Voyage Resumes Paul: Proceeds to Macedonia After Strengthening the Congregations in That Region Paul: Reasons in the Synagogue Every Sabbath Paul: Received by the Disciples in Jerusalem Paul: Refers the Question of Circumcision to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem Paul: Remains in Custody for Two Years Paul: Returns to Antioch, Accompanied by Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, With Letters to the Gentiles Paul: Returns With the Apostle John to Antioch (Of Syria) Paul: Re-Visits Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and Antioch, in Syria, where he Lived Paul: Sends for the Elders of the Congregation of Ephesus Paul: Sends Timothy and Erastus Into Macedonia, But he Himself Remains in Asia for a Period of Time Paul: Sent to Damascus With Letters for the Arrest and Return to Jerusalem of Christians Paul: Sergius Paulus, Governor of the Country, is a Convert of Paul: Summons the Local Jewish Leadership Paul: Teaches at Antioch (In Syria) for One Year Paul: The People Attempt to Worship Him Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta) Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes With the Makers of Idols Paul: This Plan is Thwarted by his Nephew Paul: Transferred to a Ship of Alexandria Paul: Visits Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica; Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Antioch (In Pisidia), and Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium Paul: Visits Coos, Rhodes, and Patara; Boards a Ship Bound for Tyre Paul: Visits Ephesus, where he Leaves Aquila and Priscilla Paul: Visits Iconium, and Preaches to the Jews and Non-Jews Paul: Visits Lystra; Circumcises Timothy Paul: Visits Much of the Island of Cyprus Paul: Visits Perga in Pamphylia Paul: Visits Samothracia and Neapolis Paul: Waits at Tyre for Seven Days Select Readings: Paul and Silas in Prison Select Readings: Paul in Front of Agrippa Select Readings: Paul in Front of Governor Felix Select Readings: Paul on Mars' Hill Related Terms |
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