Divergent Responses

 Leviticus 13,14; Acts 17 

“Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women…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.”

Acts 17:4, 11

The Thessalonian Jewish community largely rejected the Gospel through jealousy and fear. They stirred up the crowds against Paul and led a riot to drive Paul and Silas out of the city. Yet, it was the Church in Thessaloniki which Paul later commended as a model and example to the whole world in his letter to them. The initial composition of the Thessalonian Church was mostly God-fearing Greeks. These new Christ-followers embraced a Gospel marked by power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction. They witnessed Paul’s life and the price he had paid for the Gospel in Lystra and Philippi, and they, too, surrendered all for the sake of Christ. It was the God-fearing Greeks whom Paul fondly remembered in his first letter to the Thessalonians. There will often be divergent responses to the Gospel and our ministry. Paul was not distracted by his detractors. He focused on those who embraced his message, and then he moved on.

“Lord Jesus, I pray for the grace to keep my eyes on you and to not be distracted by those who criticize.”