30th Oct 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
Persecution
Acts 17 - Series 01/Episode 12 - Thu 24th Sep 2026 - Persecution - Acts 17:01-09 - MINISTRY IN THESSALONICA - Matthew 05:44
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Acts 17:5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
The Jews were envious of the ministry of the Apostles. However, look at where envy led them. This is precisely the kind of persecution against the church that we are undergoing in India. Why did the Jews behave in this manner? Was there something that troubled them more than just envy? The Jews sought social influence and prominence in the Roman era. Paul's reasoning was based on the Scriptures, which the Jews read and preached in the synagogue. Paul's reasoning made sense and drew this large, influential group to become followers of Jesus Christ. The obvious question that arose was, "Why didn't the Jews preach Jesus, as the Christ, whom Paul so eloquently and convincingly presented from the Scriptures?" This would mean the leading people of the city would now not respect the Jews as they had done before the arrival of Paul and the team. They were not only envious of the apostles, but they were also angry.
John 11:48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." / Matthew 27:17-18 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" (18) For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
This matter of envy leading to rage that made the Jews take violent action was a persistent problem for the Jews even from their history. II Chronicles 24:20-21 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, "Thus says God: 'Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He also has forsaken you.' " (21) So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD.
Stephen confronted the Jews on the same issue. Acts 7:51-52 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. (52) Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, Jesus spoke strongly to the Jews of their envy and violent action. Matthew 23:34-35 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, (35) that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
The problem for the Jews over the message of Paul was doctrinal. 'Christ crucified' was a stumbling block for the Jews. I Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, To the Jews righteousness was by works, whereas the message of Paul was that righteousness was by faith in Jesus. Romans 9:31-33 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. (32) Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. (33) As it is written: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STUMBLING STONE AND ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME."
The Jews used evil men from the marketplace to create a commotion and riot, which would cause the Roman government to take action against the apostles and expel them from the city. This is the same ploy that is adopted in the current persecution against the church in India. Those who oppose the Gospel create enough commotion to make it seem as though it is the church that is harming society, and therefore the government is compelled to legislate laws for churches to be shut down.
The Jews were frightened to see the power of the Gospel to transform lives. Those opposed to the Gospel in India fear its power to transform lives. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Learning: Just as the Jews, we are witnessing similar opposition against the church. Let us love those who persecute us. Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Valentine Davidar - valentinedavidar@gmail.com
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