Acts 17

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Paul and Silas travel to Thessalonica, and Paul teaches and discusses Scripture at a synagogue for three consecutive days of worship. Many Jews, especially Greeks who had recently converted to Judaism and wives of many proper men joined Paul and believed. This notion, of course, irked the Jewish officials, so they started a mob and got them rioting. People set against Jesus and His teachings will use whatever fuel they can find to put an end to what He has to say. The crowd goes to Jason's house to look for Paul and Silas, but they don't find them. Instead, they take Jason and some other believers before the city officials and accuse them of partnering with people who break the law by declaring Jesus is the true king. When the law directly contradicts the Bible, the Bible should hold priority in what we follow at risk of any Earthly punishment because nothing can be worse than eternal separation from God. When the officials realized they didn't really have anything on Paul and Silas, they let them pay some bonds and go. That night, the believers smuggled Paul and Silas out of the city. God will provide for you if you trust Him. He will destroy the weapons that the Enemy uses against you and protect you. Nothing can change His perfect plan.

Paul and Silas travel to Berea and continue teaching in Synagogues. The people in this city were more open-minded to what Paul and Silas had to say. Sometimes we come across people who will not listen to us no matter what, and other times we find people who have come so far along the way on their search to fill the void that they need the answer and are ready to accept it when they find it's true. When Paul would speak of Scripture, the people of Berea would look it up and follow him. The Thessalonians, however, discovered what was happening in their neighboring city and sent people to upset and confuse the people there. The believers sent Paul to the seacoast, but Timothy and Silas stayed behind.

Paul sails to Athens and sends back instructions for Paul and Silas to join him. While he stays in Athens, he begins seeing many statues to false gods and grows upset. He teaches the Good News, but what he says confuses some people but interests most. What Jesus did is something that is very confusing: God living as a human, miracles, and the dead raising to life. The people take Paul before a council because the people in Athens enjoy learning about new things. Paul tells them that he reads on the plaques of the statues that they are dedicated to the unknown god. Then, he tells them that he knows of this unknown god. Sometimes, people have the right idea, but they don't realize what it is they need in their lives. He talks about all the wonderful things God has done from creating the world to Adam and Eve to Jesus coming back to life. Many members of the council laugh at Paul, but when he leaves the council, some people follow him because they are now believers.