ACTS: Uprising in Thessalonica

Uprising in Thessalonica  

The Passage: Acts 17:1-15

Structure:

a. 17:1, synagogue

 b. 17:2-4, discussion of the Scriptures

  c. 17:5-8, worthless men at public square

   d. 17:9-10a, Brothers sent them to Berea

a’. 17:10b, synagogue

 b’. 17:11-12, examination of Scriptures

  c’. 17:13, steering up the crowds

   d’. 17:14-15, brothers send him to seacoast.

  

Historical and geographical context: There is a need for two chronological comments:

First, in this one story we see that St. Paul escapes twice (to Berea and to Athens). Sometimes escape is the only way out – no shame in escape in the face of danger for life.

Second, we already saw in the previous passages how Luke introduces characters which will be important later. We read that Paul circumcises Timothy in Lystra (16:2). Luke notes that “Paul wanted Timothy to accompany them” (16:3). Turns out, Timothy was accompanying Paul and Silas (17:14). Which means that he witnessed Macedonian call, travels across the sea, Paul and Silas being imprisoned, realized, and baptizing Philippian jailer. Now he is with Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea. 

Theology:

We always need to remember that one, holy, Christian (lit. world-wide), and apostolic church grew out of OT community of believers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David etc. (Heb. 11 – cloud of witnesses). Their way of life was based on institutions and regulations of Torah (5 Books of Moses). Sabbatical worship was an integral part of their religious life. Therefore, we should not be surprised to see it as a regular practice of the apostles, Peter and Paul etc.

Paul – preaching in the diaspora – adjusts (not changes) the message. Peter, preaching in Jerusalem, regularly reminds the authorities: “Jesus whom YOU crucified.” Paul rephrases this into “Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” It doesn’t change the substance (cp. 1 Cor. 1:23) but shows us how we can be sensitive to ministry contest.   

Going back to OT background of the Church. Paul reasons with Thessalonica Jews about suffering of Messiah, His death and resurrection (17:3). Not surprising. What is surprising to us is he did it reading the [Old Testament] Scriptures, constantly pointing to Jesus, both in Thessalonica and Berea (17:11). One more reminder for two valid points: (1) Bible should be read in unity (from Genesis to Revelation). (2) Bible should be read Christologically (1 Cor. 10:11; 2 Cor. 1:20). 

Noteworthy fact – it was not the theology of Paul that triggered the uprising in Thessalonica. Suffering, death, and resurrection of Messiah/Christ – these concepts were not foreign to synagogal community. The trigger was the conversion of many devout Greek – both men and women (in both cities).

Court of Jesus vs. court of Peter vs. court of Paul – worthless people, false accusation, another king (John 19:11?). Also, chasing Paul down from Thessalonica to Berea – apparently, there was an interconnectedness of the synagogues, some kind of synodical network.

The attempted accusations (17:6-8) against Paul and his companions and brothers in faith were simultaneously right and wrong. They did not preach a rebellious sermon that would lead to uprising against Ceasar. Nowhere in the New Testament do we see an example of that. On the contrary – Paul teaches a prayerful dedication toward the authorities God in His infinite wisdom placed over the believers (Rom. 13:2; 1 Tim. 2:1-2). At the same time, he and all the apostles would recognize Jesus as the King of kings and the LORD of lords. Why the idea of The King was so important to the Jews? YHWH was the King of Israel. Paul could’ve used following messianic psalms to prove the Jesus is the King – Ps. 2; 24:8; 99:1-5. Also, it was rejection of Jesus as the king that led to crucifixion (John 19:15-16). To sum up, they – accusers – bring up charges that are phrased “right,” but construed in a misleading way to remove Paul as a contester of influence among the Gentiles.

2 Thessalonians

 Second Letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians  

Title: The letter can be seen as the continuation of the 1^st Thessalonians or a prequel to it. The decision will depend on interpretation of 2 Thes. 2:1-3. If the passage is a follow up on 1 Thes. 4 then this epistle is truly the second one. On the other hand, 2 Thes. 2:1-3ff. can be the first attempt to warn the believers at Thessalonica on the Day of the Lord concept and expectation of His arrival.                 

Date of writing: Finalization of the date of writing will depend on the decisions made concerning the order of the letter 1^st vs 2^nd (see “title”, and “date of writing” on the 1 Thessalonians).         

Structure:

a. 1:1-2, Greeting.

  b. 1:3-4, thanksgiving

    c. 1:5-12, Judgement of Christ

      d. 2:1-12, The man of Lawlessness

        e. 2:13-17, Stand Firm

      d’. 3:1-5, Prayer to be defended from the Evil one

    c’. 3:6-12, Practice of righteousness

  b’. 3:13-15, Warning of rebellious brothers  

a’. 3:16-18 final greeting

Main themes: Inevitable judgement that will be executed by Christ – cp. both Apostle’s and Nicene creeds.

Man of Lawlessness – very powerful, miracle performing person who will deceive the ones who rejected the truth.  

Standing firm in the faith/faithfulness by giving thanks (eucharist) in all circumstances (1:3; 2:13).

Importance of working (warning against idleness) for personal godliness, providing for the needs of the church, and support of commissioned brothers.     

Main Characters: Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy (same names as 1 Thes.).          

Reflection in other parts of the Bible: Ministers of evil can/able to perform miraculous signs – just as the priests of the hard hearten pharaoh during the Exodus (Ex. 7:20-24; 8:1-7; 8:16-19). The evil one described in the epistle might correspond to the spirit of the antichrist (1 John 2:28; 4:3) and to beast of the earth who wears the number of the man (Rev. 13:11-18).   

Paul picks up the theme of Jesus’ second coming from his previous letter to the congregation (cp. 1 Thes. 4). The lawless one will be destroyed by the power of His mouth (breath here, and the sword in Rev. 1:16).

Good works should reflect the life of faithfulness (2:16-17, cp. Eph. 2:8-10; James 2:14-26).    

Lutheran teaching:

The very beginning of the letter (1:3) is used to discuss the benefits of the Sacraments (AC XIII:2), sanctification (LC II:57), and prayers for fulfillment of Ten Commandments (LC III:2).

2:3-4 The passage appears in the context of discussing the Church – its ruling, its ministries, role of Pope, and content of the prayers – in various confessional writings [Ap. VII and VIII (IV):4; XV (VIII):18; SA II IV:11; Tr. 39; LC III:47).    

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 833 – Listen, God is Calling

LSB 919 – Abide, O Dearest Jesus  

Relevancy of the Book: There are at least two important lessons readers can take away from the reading and studying of the epistle. First, the imminence of Christ’s coming. It might look like a delay to us, it is still the fact of human history that will come to fruition at God’s appointed times. Though we don’t need to waste the precious time of awaiting being the idle “busybodies”.

Second, the power of the Word of God is mightier than any tricks, miracles, or signs that the evil one can perform. Staying firm in the Word will help us to endure to times of temptations and tribulations being faithful to the only God: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.       

Memory verses:

3:10 – For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: if anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

1 Thessalonians

 First Letter of St. Paul to Thessalonians  

Title: The congregation is founded by St. Paul, as Luke describes it in Acts 17:1-9. Therefore, it is not surprising to hear the fatherly tone of his affection toward them (2:7-8, 11-12).             

Date of writing: There are two possible dates for the letter. First, it is written in 51 AD while St. Paul was in Athens (cp. 2:2 and Acts 16:16-40; 3:2-6 and Acts 17). Second, taking 2:14-16 into an account it is possible that the apostle wrote his epistle later, around the time of Jewish revolt of 66-70 AD (St. Paul was released of his changes from Rome by that time).       

Structure:

a. 1:1, Greeting.

  b. 1:2-10, our example to you to imitate

    c. 2, Pauls’ ministry to Thessalonians

      d. 3:1-5, we sent Timothy

      d’. 3:6-13, Timothy’s report

    c’. 4, Their life pleasing to God

  b’. 5:1-27, how to imitate

a’. 5:28 final greeting

Main themes:

Purity and holiness of life of God’s people (2:10 and 4:3-5)

Day of the LORD (4:13 – 5:11). It might be helpful to read this section together with 1 Corinthians 15.

Daily godly habits – work, prayer, giving thanks in all circumstances.    

Main Characters: Paul, Sylvanus, and Timothy.          

Reflection in other parts of the Bible:

St. Paul sets aside the power of the Word in comparison to the words of flattery. In a similar way he elevated the status of the Word vs. the wisdom of this world in his letter to Corinth (1 Cor. 1:18-25).

The ideas of purity and holiness are based on the Levitical instructions (Lev. 11 – 15 and 17 – 22).

If we believe that 1 Thes. is an early letter than it is worth noting that St. Paul gives more thought and devotion to the idea of the armor of God for a believer in the Letter to Ephesians 6:10-17.    

Respect for the leaders of the church (5:12-13a) is addressed in Heb. 13:17 and pastoral letters of St. Paul (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus).

Lutheran teaching:

Dr. Melanchthon uses 4:4 – control of one’s body in holiness and honor – as an illustration for the sanctity of marriage. Ap. XXIII (XI) 43, 65. 

5:17 is a valuable passage on prayer, LC II:19; III:24, 47; FC SD II:16. As a connection with God, as a thankfulness and praise, as a something we can exercise as a gift of relations with Him.

4:13-18 is used in the rite of Comforting the bereaved (Pastoral Care Companion, CPH [2007], 102)

Lutheran hymnody:

LSB 801 – How great Thou art (v. 4 when Christ shall come, 4:16-17)

LSB 763 – When peace like river (v. 4, the Lord shall descend, 4:16)

Relevancy of the Book:   

The Epistle is a great reminder of the wholeness of our lives in Christ. The apostle shares the we are born into life through the work of His faithful ministers who “father” us to maturity. Therefore, we need to give them proper honor and support. Then, while we exercise our daily living, we need to maintain the godly standards of purity and holiness – for the sake of the communion of saints and for the positive witness to the outsiders. And, as we are loosing our brothers and sisters to eternal glory, we have a comforting promise from God – our resurrection in Christ. We know that we will be gathered by the throne of God with all the saints who preceded us for He is the Father of all.         

Memory verses:

4:14, for since we believe the Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.