Well, we have finally reached the end of the most intense series so far: after today, we will be finished studying the different churches mentioned in the New Testament. Even though many different churches are mentioned, I have focused on the ones that Paul wrote a letter to that is considered a part of the Holy Bible. As I wrote about this in my introduction post to the series, I created this series to learn how to study historical context surrounding Scripture, as well as how to connect it to create devotional takeaways from passages in the Bible. I have learned how to find trustworthy sources, use historical documentation in Scripture, and use outside historical evidence to figure out where Paul was, what was happening in these churches, and how it all came together to spread the Gospel at this time. Even though this is still not my strongest skill, I have an increased confidence in it, and have implemented it in my daily Bible reading to help understand what I am reading (currently in Leviticus, IYKYK).
About Thessalonica
Thessalonica was a major city located in Macedonia, which is modern-day Greece. Because of their close location to a seaport, they had lots of traffic and people coming in from different areas. Similarly to Corinth and Ephesus, this meant that both Greeks and Jews were in this city. One notable thing about Thessalonica was that because of their Greek culture, they had a very strong belief in Greek gods. The people of Thessalonica believed that whenever somebody died, their fate for their soul was to go down to the land of the dead, ruled by Hades, the god of death and the afterlife. This was not a very exciting afterlife: it is mentioned to be a dreary and sad place, which left all of Thessalonica feeling hopeless. They believed that they didn’t have a say in what happened to them, which only made Paul’s message of hope so different and unique.
Paul’s Visit to Thessalonica
Paul came to Thessalonica with Silas during his second missionary journey, which is recorded in Acts 17.
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received, and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. (Acts 17:1-15)
Here, we can see that even though there were many people that heard the Gospel from Paul and believed, many people didn’t like that he was teaching that there was a king besides Caesar. Because of this, they sent Paul and Silas away. However, Paul was able to touch enough hearts to be able to establish a church in Thessalonica. We can even see proof of that in Paul’s opening of his first letter to the Thessalonians: “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).
The Letters
Both of the letters to the Thessalonians are relatively short, and I’m not going to spend too much time detailing what is in here. As I mentioned, the first letter starts of with Paul commending the church for their faith and example while he was gone: they bore good fruit, and continued to spread the Gospel to other areas around them. They endured persecution from those around them that were not as accepting of Paul’s message, and did not use that as an excuse to stop growing and spreading the good news. Paul reminds the Thessalonians of why he came to them to start this church, and thanks them for how open heartedly they received his message. In chapter three, we learn that Timothy was later sent to Thessalonica to see how they were doing, and he came to see a church that was continually growing and maturing. After all of this commendation, Paul continues to stir them up and encourage them to continue to do the work that they were commanded to do.
One unique thing that I learned about this letter is found in chapter four: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no nope.For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). After Paul and Silas’ journey to Thessalonica, a few of the church’s leaders had passed away, leaving the people feeling hopeless and sad. Even though they had heard of the hope of Christ’s return, they were still unsure if an afterlife with Hades was still applicable to them. Here, Paul says this to encourage them, and explain that the leaders that had passed are with Christ, and explains the rapture to them.
The second letter follows a similar pattern, with the major topics discussed are thanksgiving, the judgment at Christ’s coming, and standing firm amidst persecution and hardship. “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).
I think the verse that stuck out to me the most in this letter is 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15: “And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” At first, this sounds very strict, but I love the way that it is presented. If we surround ourselves with people that are not living the way that we are commanded, it could be extremely dangerous for our spiritual walk. However, we are told to admonish them as a brother, which is a personal and loving relationship. We are still told to love these people, but to be cautious and guard your heart.
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Thank you for your continued support, and for coming back diligently throughout this series to see what the Lord has been teaching me. This summer, I will be starting an unofficial “series”, which will be very personal. There has been a lot of new changes in my life, with graduation only being one of many things, so I want to take time to share what I have been learning, and where God has been leading me. I find it important to document my life, to be able to look back and see how God has worked in me throughout my life, and I hope to encourage others with my testimony of the Lord’s goodness in the last year, especially in the last few months.
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