THE EARLY CHURCH - The Noble Bereans

EXAMINING THE SCRIPTURES

Read Acts 17:1–15

     Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."  Acts 17:2-3 NKJV

* * *

     For three Sabbaths Paul taught in the synagogue at Thessalonica before opposition began. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks, both men and women. These would become the founders of the Thessalonian church. But the Jewish leaders were jealous and hired some evil men to round up a mob and cause a riot. When word of this arrived, the believers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea.

     Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. (Acts 17:11-12 NIV)

* * *

     Lord, help us to be like the Bereans, getting to know Your Word and teaching it accurately to our children, so that they can recognize the difference between truth and error and find Your perfect will for their lives

* * *

     When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea.   Acts 17:13-14 NIV

THE EARLY CHURCH - Singing In Prison

IMPRISONED IN PHILIPI

Read Acts 16:16–40

     At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25 NKJV

* * *

     One day on the way to the place of prayer, a demon possessed girl followed Paul and Silas shouting "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the demon, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" (Acts 16:17-18) 

     This act of compassion for the girl resulted in a loss of profits for her owners. They arrested and flogged Paul and Silas, threw them into prison and fastened their feet in stocks. At midnight, as they were singing hymns, a violent earthquake caused the doors to open and everyone's chains to come loose. The frightened jailer, said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household." (Acts 16:30-31) At that hour of the night, Paul spoke the Word of the Lord to the jailer's family and they believed and were baptized.

* * *

     Lord, Your chosen ones were in every place the apostles traveled: A city given over to demons, a cold dark prison, a prayer group by the river – all known to You before the beginning of time. Thank You for including us in this vast multitude of believers.

* * *

     So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed. Acts 16:40 NKJV

THE EARLY CHURCH - The Gospel Message Heading Toward Europe

LYDIA OF PHILIPPI

Read Acts 16:6–15

     And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."  Acts 16:9 NKJV

* * *

     Paul, Silas and Timothy attempted to enter Asia on their second missionary journey, but the Holy Spirit prevented them, closing the door on their plans. Paul saw a vision as he slept, of a Macedonian man pleading with him to come and help them. 
     When the three men arrived in Philippi, Macedonia, they stayed for several days. On the Sabbath they went to the riverside where prayer was customarily made. What they found was not a man, as Paul saw in his vision, but a prayer meeting for women.

     One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. (16:14 NIV) Lydia opened both her heart and her home for the apostles to stay, planting a church at Philippi and beginning what would become a lighthouse of the gospel in Europe.

* * *

     Lord, how glad I am that You value the ministry of women like Lydia, Mary, Martha, and so many others who helped to start the early churches. May our home be a welcoming lighthouse and may our influence be multiplied through our children.

* * *

     When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay."  Acts 16:15 NKJV