BIBLE STUDY LESSON 07

SERIES V --- JOURNEYS FOR YESHUA

TWO CITIES

THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY: THESSALONICA AND BEREA

From Acts 17:1-15

After Paul and Silas said goodbye to Lydia and the other believers at Philippi, they travelled through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica. Paul began his ministry as usual at the local synagogue. For the next three Sabbaths he taught from the Scriptures and reasoned with the people, showing how the Moshiach promised by the prophets had to suffer, die and rise again, and how Yeshua was that Moshiach. Some became believers, including a large number of godly Greek men and also a number of prominent women. When the Jewish leaders saw that, they became jealous, formed a mob and started a riot. They attacked Jason’s house, searching for Paul and Silas. When they discovered that the apostles were not there, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city authorities. [The two men who upset the world have been guests in Jason’s home,] they charged. [They teach that there is another king Named Yeshua, which is clearly against Caesar.] The crowd and city authorities were disturbed by these charges and forced Jason and the other believers to put up money for their release. That night the believers took Paul and Silas secretly to Berea. Paul and Silas, as usual, began their ministry in the synagogue, where they taught from the Scriptures. The people in Berea were much more receptive than those in Thessalonica, listening carefully to the missionaries. For many days they kept on searching the Scriptures to make sure the message which Paul and Silas preached was true. Many Bereans believed, including a number of men and prominent Greek women. But before long, news of Paul’s Berean ministry reached Thessalonica, so the Jewish leaders sent troublemakers to stir up the people against them. The Berean believers immediately sent Paul to Athens, accompanied by some of their people, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. As soon as Paul’s escorts saw him safely to Athens, they returned to Berea with word that Silas and Timothy should join Paul as soon as possible.

COMMENTARY

SIGHTS THAT PAUL SAW: THE PARTHENON

From its position high atop the Acropolis the ruined Parthenon sits like a crown over the city of Athens. It was there when Paul preached at Mars’ Hill, only a few hundred feet away, and he, too, must have marvelled at its stunning beauty. The Parthenon was built in the fifth century B.C., during the time of Pericles. Athen’s greatest artist, Pheidias, supervised the construction of the temple. Except for the wooden roof, the entire building was made of gleaming white marble. Every block was carefully cut and polished by skilled masons. The temple was dedicated to the city’s patroness, Athena, the goddess of truth and justice. Pheidias himself carved the tremendous gold and ivory statue of the goddess that stood inside the shrine. The Parthenon stood on the highest point of the Acropolis. Although it was the largest and most impressive building, it was not the only temple on the sacred hill. Athena shared the Acropolis with the shrine of Artemis Brauronia, the bear-shaped goddess worshiped by the young women of Athens. Nearby stood the Erectheion, dedicated to Poseidon, god of the sea. Two more temples honoured Zeus, king of all Olympian gods and goddesses.