Paul and his companions went on from Philippi to Thessalonica (Acts 17). As was his custom, Paul went to the synagogue there first. In this case, he taught them for three straight Sabbaths (v. 3):
Explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”
That’s a good pattern for us in proclaiming the gospel: speaking of who Jesus is – the Christ / Messiah; and what Jesus did – His suffering / death and resurrection from the dead. Both are important. Notice that Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures – which in that context was the Old Testament. Would we be able to preach these vital elements of the gospel from the Old Testament?
A considerable number were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, to the extent that the Jews became jealous. It says they formed a mob, even recruiting wicked men from the market, wreaked havoc throughout the city, and dragged some of the brethren before the city authorities to stir them up as well. The Jews proceeded to blame Paul and Silas and their followers for the very riot that they (the Jews) had caused! Their claims are instructive on at least two fronts. One is their statement (v. 6): These men who have upset the world have come here also. The enemy will not like it, and will oppose the truth of the gospel, especially when it’s having impact. It’s a good sign, actually. Second is their accusation (v. 7): they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. Paul and his fellow-believers both declared and lived the truth that Jesus was the king, not Caesar. It was a competition that loyal Romans could not tolerate and was seen as a threat to the existing order.
In our day, a globalist agenda is seeking to establish a new-world order. That agenda goes back to the tower of Babel and is inspired by Satan. Those at the center of that new-world order have always known that their primary opposition is the true gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that is declared and lived by believers. May we understand where the real battle-line is, and be faithful to the king, Jesus.