8/11/17
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In Acts 17:9 Paul and Silas had been released from custody on bond in Thessalonica. Immediately after dark, they were sent away for their own safety. They made their way to Berea, where they continued giving the evidence that Jesus was the Christ. We find in verses 10-15 that the Bereans checked the Scriptures to see if the things said about Jesus were true. Many believed. Truly Jesus is the Christ.
The work of the Gospel in Berea was going quite well until word of it got back to Thessalonica. The people there, angered that Jesus was being proclaimed in Berea, sent agitators to stire things up against Paul and Silas there as well. This was apparently successful, because we next see Paul in Athens. He left Silas and Timothy behind at Berea. However, once he arrived in Athens, he sent for Silas and Timothy as well.
We notice here how the Christian message is spreading. Where people hear true accounts of who Jesus is and how he has died for their sins, they frequently believe. We also notice that Paul, who was originally more or less a companion of others, is now a leader of others, and that he has brought Silas and Timothy into their roles as leaders in the Church. As word about Jesus and forgiveness of sins spreads, the leaders multiply.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
The earliest Christians followed a Jewish tradition of pausing to pray, preferably together, first thing in the morning, about mid morning, at noon, about mid afternoon, and in the evening. “Just a Note” posts are brief observations made from Scripture readings not related to a lectionary. If I have one to post, it normally appears about 9:00 in the morning, at “the hour of prayer.”
In Acts 17:9 Paul and Silas had been released from custody on bond in Thessalonica. Immediately after dark, they were sent away for their own safety. They made their way to Berea, where they continued giving the evidence that Jesus was the Christ. We find in verses 10-15 that the Bereans checked the Scriptures to see if the things said about Jesus were true. Many believed. Truly Jesus is the Christ.
The work of the Gospel in Berea was going quite well until word of it got back to Thessalonica. The people there, angered that Jesus was being proclaimed in Berea, sent agitators to stire things up against Paul and Silas there as well. This was apparently successful, because we next see Paul in Athens. He left Silas and Timothy behind at Berea. However, once he arrived in Athens, he sent for Silas and Timothy as well.
We notice here how the Christian message is spreading. Where people hear true accounts of who Jesus is and how he has died for their sins, they frequently believe. We also notice that Paul, who was originally more or less a companion of others, is now a leader of others, and that he has brought Silas and Timothy into their roles as leaders in the Church. As word about Jesus and forgiveness of sins spreads, the leaders multiply.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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