Reading through the books of Acts is encouraging.
I haven’t been doing the video for each chapter lately because I’ve been busy with the 2021 Florida Strawberry Festival. But…I couldn’t wait to share the powerful insight I gained from reading Acts 17.
I want to encourage you to read through this chapter for yourself. You too may be able to relate to having to reason with someone regarding Christianity, discover that no matter how small you feel your gift may be it is not insignificant to God, find the three keys to have in sharing Christ, God doesn’t “need” us, and so much more.
Here are the bullet points I jotted down while reading Acts 17, and the verses that coincide with my thoughts:
- V.2: When reasoning with people, use scripture. There may be someone in your life who is a good person, yet is lost as the day is long when it comes to Christ. They may be having a difficult time believing the Bible. They need proof. Listen, I don’t know all the answers, but I know The One who does. Remember, when God gives you a divine appointment with someone, He will equip you with the words to say or the gusto to go dig a little deeper yourself, or find someone or a simple explanation book to help them understand the Bible. One thing that has been a recurring theme in the book of Acts is how the Holy Spirit gives you boldness. Go. Be bold.
- V.3-4: As Paul explained and proved that Jesus is the Messiah, not all believed, only some. We should not get down on ourselves after you share Christ with someone and they don’t accept The Truth. You’ve may be done your part, and someone else may be the one to bring them Home. Continue to pray for others. Continue to share in a loving, genuine, and gentle way.
- V.5: Sad…when someone doesn’t agree with you or feel threatened/jealous, they may resort to troublemaking, attacks, or even drag you to the ground, just like they did Paul. It reminds me that in many situations in life (especially current worldly issues), we need to be wise, knowledgeable, and get the facts, not go on feelings/emotions. Yet, when trouble comes your way, we are reminded in the Bible to be strong and don’t be afraid. To God be all the glory in the end and through it all.
- VV5-9: Jason. Who’s Jason? He is someone who evidently was bold (that comes from the Holy Spirit), hospitable (known for having believers in his home), and loyal (to Jesus). That’s all we know. Remember not everyone is a preacher or teacher. We all have different gifts. Whatever your gift is, be bold for Christ. Your name may be known or you may blend in with the crowd (of believers). No matter what…you have a purpose. God has a purpose for and through you.
- V. 10: Evidently, Paul and Silas were still in the town, and “other believers” kept them safe until it was time for them to travel.
- V. 11: Yes!! We all should be more like those in Berea:
- Open-minded
- Eager to listen
- Searched scripture to make sure The Truth is being taught.
- The qualities mentioned above resulted in belief in Jesus Christ. These are great reminders for us all.
- VV 13-15: We need to help protect other Christians and those who share God’s word.
- V. 16: When we see something going on that doesn’t satisfy God, it should trouble us as well. THAT is the Holy Spirit (your God conscious) within you.
- V. 22: Remember…it is about a relationship, NOT religion. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
- VV. 24-25: This is a great reminder of God’s deity…He (God) doesn’t NEED anything! He wants YOU!! Ahhh, to be wanted…He’s so sweet.
- V. 27: God’s purpose: For all to seek Him. For all to feel their way towards Him. For all to find Him. He’s not hard to find. He’s waiting. Waiting for you.
- V. 28: Because of God, we live, move, and exist! Hallelujah!
- V. 30: Again in this book of Acts, we see a repeated theme, and probably why Rev. Billy Graham read this book so often…Repent of your sin and turn to God! He commands it. So, are you going to obey or be like a rebellious teen and do the opposite of what you’re told? It’s best to obey.
- V. 31: Jesus…appointed by God to be judge with justice.
- V. 34: Remember…not all you witness to will believe. It’s free will. Do your part. The decision is theirs.
Whew! Do you see why I had to go ahead and share chapter 17 with you? There’s so much wise information.
If you haven’t been joining me in the readings of each chapter on the Soaking up The Son YouTube channel, come on over. There are still a few days until I resume recording. You can catch up. (Videos will resume Monday, March 15th.)
Blessings to you and yours.
With much love and prayers for you,
Stephanie
Acts 17
Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women. But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.” The people of the city, as well as the city council, were thrown into turmoil by these reports. So the officials forced Jason and the other believers to post bond, and then they released them. That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men. But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him. While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and he spoke daily in the public square to all who happened to be there. He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about. “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone. “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” That ended Paul’s discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, a member of the council, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 17:1-34
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