Paul Preaches and Uncovers Idols
Paul and Silas made it to Thessalonica and Paul preached the word on three Sabbath days (as was his custom) that Jesus was the Christ and had to suffer and rise from the dead. More people began to follow Jesus and the Jews who did not like what was happening became jealous. The gathered wicked men and formed a mob to find Paul and Silas. Instead they found Jason (his house served as the church) and brought him before city officials. Jason and those that were with him had to leave a security deposit to keep the riots from happening again (Acts 17:1-9).
Paul and Silas were saved and were sent to Berea and went to another Jewish Synagogue. These Jewish people received the word and were more noble and eager to receive the word. But once the Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul and Silas were there, they went there too looking for them. Paul and Silas were made to escape which sent Paul to Athens and Silas and Timothy to meet up with him later (Acts 17:10-15).
While Paul was in Athens, he saw that the city was full of idols. Some didn't want to hear what he had to say and other saw him to be a preacher of foreign divinities (they did not know of Jesus). Paul goes on to tell them that their "unknown God" (as was an inscription on some idols) did not live in temples made by man (Acts 17:17-31).
As "cool" as it is to have a nice gold crucifix or a bracelet or set of beads, we must remember that God does not live in these items. If you need a reminder of what Christ did for you, then personally I understand. But personally, you have to make sure that what you have is not for looks or fashion or to be in awe of others. Just because you have the biggest crucifix necklace or the shiniest crucifix necklace, it doesn't mean that you are a believer. Your necklace and Christ inspired jewelry is not what truly represents your faith in Christ. It is what you do with that faith in Christ.Will you serve? Will you love others? Will you submit to the will of God? That is a true mark of your faith, not what you wear or what idol you have made.
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Timothy, Imprisoned, Conversion
Timothy was already a disciple (we will learn more about him in other books and chapters) and met up with Paul and Silas. Knowing the issues Jews in the area had with uncircumcised men (Law of Moses), Paul, after having taken Timothy under his wing, had Timothy circumcised. The previous discussions in Jerusalem about being saved by faith was delivered to the churches in Derbe and Lystra. Through the delivery of that message, the churches were strengthened in the faith and the numbers were growing (Acts 16:1-5).
While preaching the gospel to various people they felt that the Spirit of Jesus keeping them from Mysia and the Holy Spirit keeping them from Asia. On they traveled and one night Paul had a vision (possibly a dream) of a man from Macedonia saying "Come over to Macedonia and help us." And on they went to Macedonia to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10). From there they were traveling to a place of prayer and were followed for many days by a woman who had the spirit of divinity, which sounds good but is not godly. This woman was a fortune teller and was also a slave girl who was being utilized by her owners to gain wealth and fortune. Paul having been greatly annoyed by being followed by this woman and having her say, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” Paul cast the spirit out of her and that upset the fortune teller/slave girl's owners and they had Paul and Silas beaten and then imprisoned (Acts 16:16-24).
While Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns a great earthquake occurred and the foundations of the prison were open and the prison doors were opened. The jailer saw that the doors had been opened and knowing the custom that the jailer would be executed if his prisoner escaped, the jailer was about to kill himself. Paul let the jailer know not to harm himself as he and Silas were still there. The jailer got lights and saw them still in the jail. He then asked them what he needed to do to be saved. They told him nothing of Mosaic Law, but to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. After telling the word to him and his family, they were all baptized (Acts 16:25-34).
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