Pastor's Ponderings: Monday Bible Study on Acts of the Apostles 17:10-15 (May 18, 2026)

May 18, 2026:  Monday Bible Study on Acts 17:10-15

When I begin this study today, it will indeed be in the morning, however Melody is under that weather, so she will not be driving today. That means that Transport for school, work, and Pima Medical are in my lap today. So, let's start again. Christ is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed! In a few days it will be another year before we have the joy of that greeting being used in our worship life, and hopefully, it has been used in your homes too. Pentecost arrives this next Sunday, with red on the altar, and readings which bring us to the truth of our relationship with the Triune God, Creator, Redeemer, and the Sustainer of Life, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Throughout this year our Lectionary journey will take us to Holy Trinity Sunday, All Saints in the autumn, and Christ the King Sunday which carries our worship and living journey in Christ right back to Advent, and the preparation and waiting which characterize the new Church Year this next December.

Today we are in Acts 17:5-10 which gives us a picture of the harsh realities of being a missionary for Christ in the world of the Roman Empire and with Judaism and a host of other non-God-fearing religions, present in Paul's world. Paul has already been forced to leave cities and regions where his life is endangered by Jews who see Paul as a Pharisee who has betrayed his own people. This is an indication to us that it seems highly likely that the Jews would continue throughout their ancient history, and into the modern era, to lack the courage to know that their Messiah had already come to reveal God's love and forgiveness to his people. It seems they continue to look for a worldly king who will defeat their enemies, except the last great enemy of all people, death. When Paul taught about Christ, it was especially difficult for the Jews to accept his teaching, because they saw a crucified man as a convicted sinner and not a man who could ever be their Messiah! It is ironic, isn't it? They convicted an innocent man, the sin-free Son of God, and murdered Him on a cross like a common criminal, and then most Jews are unable to accept Him as Messiah because of their conviction on Christ, and, of course, they saw Paul as a traitor to his faith.  So, Paul and Silas are on the road by night again headed to Beroea. Apparently, the men of the synagogue in Beroea, were able to comprehend what Paul taught from their Scriptures. The text says that they were of higher character. This means that debate rather than conviction of heresy would be much more likely for Paul and Silas in that setting. But the people who objected to Paul's teaching in Philippi, found their way after Paul to continue their attacks on him. The people in Beroea received Paul's teaching with enthusiasm and excitement, but they had to send Paul away once again to keep him safe. This time Silas and Timothy stayed in Beroea while Paul escaped. From there those who were with Paul took him to Athens. This certainly seems like another major step in Paul's ministry as he arrives in a very influential, and important Greek city. In this passage, at its end, Paul asks the people who have brought him to Athens to take messages to Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens. The detractors from Beroea believed themselves to be doing God's will. But they were doing their own will and using God's truth, to be their support and certainty. It has always been a problem in the Church. People get too intense about an action or choice and fail to seek the Spirit's guidance through prayer and contemplation, and the Word. That kind of human-driven wisdom is difficult to overcome in the Church. The people who use it are absolutely convinced that their way is God's way! Now, Paul is alone in Athens without Silas and Timothy. Tomorrow we will see what kind of experience Paul has there by himself.

Thanks for being with me today. God bless you. In Christ's Love, Pastor Kim