Paul at Thessalonica & Berea

“Believe” in Acts: Part 15 - Paul at Thessalonica and Berea:

After a short hiatus to study for sermons presented on Palm and Easter Sundays, I’m back to our study of the 39 passages the Greek word “pisteu’o,” usually translated believe, are found in the book of Acts. We’ve already examined the 23rd and 24th occasions, both of which reference the Philippian jailer who, in Acts 16:3030 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

, asked Paul and Silas what he needed to do to be saved and they answered him in Acts 16:3131 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

“... Believe (23rd occasion) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Then in Acts 16:3434 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

, the Jailer and his household believed in God (24th occasion) and thus were saved unto eternal life. Paul and company left Philippi and traveled to Thessalonica where, as was Paul’s custom, he attended the Jew’s Synagogue and reasoned with them out of the Scriptures, Acts 17:1 & 21 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days 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.” Acts 13:33 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

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They only had the Old Testament (OT) then, wherein various passages foretell a suffering Messiah as well as a reining Messiah. Israel was anticipating and waiting for the reining Messiah to establish His Kingdom on earth and free them from oppression. However, they did not understand that the same Messiah would suffer, die, rise again and ascend into heaven before returning to judge the world and then reign as their King. The Apostle Paul’s message in the Synagogues was that Jesus of Nazareth was the Jew’s promised Messiah; He had fulfilled the OT prophesies about suffering and someday in the future He will fulfill the rest. It’s clear from the two epistles Paul subsequently wrote the Thessalonians that he taught them they did not need to fear the coming Judgement of God (Great Tribulation) because they were not appointed to that wrath because it will not occur until after the Church, the Body of Christ is caught up to heaven, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11. Paul’s teaching of the pre-Tribulation rapture is part and parcel of the mystery/secret that God revealed exclusively to him, Romans 16:25 & 2625 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

, Ephesians 3:1 - 121 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

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“And some of them (the Thessalonian Jews) believed and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.” Acts 17:44 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

. The word believed here is not translated from the same Greek word (pisteu’o) we are studying. Instead, it is “peitho” (G3883) found 55 times in the New Testament (NT) where it is most frequently translated “persuade” (22 times); then 8 times as “trust;” 7 times “obey;” 6 times “have confidence” as well as “believe,” “agree,” “yield unto,” “wax confident,” etc. “Peitho” is found most often in Acts where it is translated “persuade” 9 times and “believe” 3 times. It appears the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to use “peitho,” translated “believe” here in Acts 17:4 to demonstrate that to be “persuaded,” to “trust,” to “have confidence” in God’s Word are elements of believing (pisteu’o) - because if we truly believe God’s Word from the heart, we are persuaded, we trust and have confidence in it. Therefore, from this passage in Acts along with Paul’s two epistles to the Thessalonians, it’s clear that some of the Jews as well as a great multitude of the Gentiles and “not a few” of the chief women in Thessalonica were believers, i.e., members of Body of Christ, just as believers are today.

But even though some of the Jews in Thessalonica believed, Acts 17:4a “... the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.” Acts 17:55 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

. (The words “believed not” are translated from another Greek word we will examine later.) The mob apparently was not able to locate Paul and Silas, but they hauled Jason and other believers before the rulers of the city, claiming they were against Caesar by preaching that Jesus was King. This troubled the rulers but they released Jason and those with him on bail, Acts 17:6 - 96 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

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Paul and Silas were hustled out of Thessalonica and traveled to the town of Berea where they again entered the Jew’s Synagogue, Acts 17:1010 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

. In Berea we learn “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore, many of them believed; (25th occasion of believe in Acts) also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.” Acts 17:1111 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

& 1211 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

. Note the difference between the Jews in Thessalonica and in Berea: only “some of the Jews” and many Gentiles in Thessalonica believed while the unbelieving Jews there caused an uproar and assault. On the other hand, in Berea “many of the Jews” believed while “not a few” of the Gentiles did so and there is no mention of unbelieving Berean Jews stirring up trouble. The Jews in Berea were intimately familiar with the OT Scriptures; they read them every Sabbath in the Synagogue and when Paul reasoned with them they searched the OT Scriptures daily, comparing them to what Paul was teaching about their Messiah. As a result, they believed.

But a question arises about the Jews in Berea being "more noble," Acts 17:11, than the Jews in Thessalonica? The two words "more noble" are translated from the Greek word “yoog-en’-ace” (G2104) found only 3 times in the NT. Best practice is to let Scripture interpret the meaning of Words used therein so let’s look at the other two passages in the NT where “yoog-en’-ace” is used. Jesus Himself used it in a parable the first time it’s found in the NT; “He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.” Luke 19:1212 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

. It’s obvious the nobleman about which Jesus spoke was He Himself. From this we get the idea a nobleman was a person of high estate - a ruler. The last time “yoog-en’-ace” is used is by the Apostle Paul; “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:” 1 Corinthians 1:2626 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

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Thus, the Holy Spirit’s description of the Jewish Bereans as being “more noble” than those in Thessalonica appears to mean they occupied a higher position in life, they were noble or honorable, so were more sophisticated and learned than those in Thessalonica. They were adept at searching the OT Scriptures, which they did to determine whether what Paul was teaching about The Lord Jesus Christ was true. However, Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 1:26, that those noble believing Bereans were in a category of people from which not many are called into the Body of Christ “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:25 - 2925 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

. Since the time of Paul, almost 2000 years now, history teaches there have been many more Gentiles than Jews who have come to believe Paul’s gospel and thus are in the Body of Christ, just as there have been more common men and women added to Christ’s Body then those of high estate.

But whether common or of high estate, all have been saved by the Grace of God upon belief in the Gospel preached by the Apostle Paul. But all believers should take a cue from the Bereans by studying the Scriptures, which now are complete, to determine whether what is being taught or preached by someone is true. Today, all Scripture must be viewed through the prism of Paul’s epistles, Galatians 1:1 - 181 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

2 And all the brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

and he reiterates the Berean’s practice for us: “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” 2 Timothy 2:14 - 1614 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

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We have no record of an epistle written by Paul to the noble, sophisticated Bereans but we have two that he wrote to those of lowlier estate, the Thessalonians. With this in mind we should re-read both first and second Thessalonians. Here, we only have space to reflect on how he opened his first letter to the them: “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2 - 82 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

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