27th Oct 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
Violence against the Gospel
Acts 17 - Series 02/Episode 19 - Tue 27th Oct 2026 - Violence against the Gospel - Acts 17:10-15 - MINISTRY IN BEREA - Philippians 01:12-14
Acts 17:13-14 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. (14) Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
The Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea and stirred up the crowds against Paul, the team and against the Gospel. This stirring up led the new believers in Berea to send Paul away. Paul being in Berea would be the flashpoint that would trigger violence against the new believers and an uproar in the city. They kept Silas and Timothy with them for the growth of the church.
This is what our Lord told us. Luke 12:49-53 "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! (50) But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! (51) Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. (52) For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. (53) Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
The Gospel is a message of peace, reconciliation, and goodwill, Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: (14) "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Yet its proclamation can provoke hatred, persecution, and even violence against those who believe and preach it. Jesus Himself foretold this paradox.
Man, who was alienated from God because of sin, has been reconciled to God through Jesus. Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled / Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Though the Lord has given us peace, yet there will be great persecution because of Jesus. John 16:1-2 "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. (2) They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. This distinction is important for us to keep in mind. Christ brings peace between God and humanity, but the truth of the Gospel does provoke conflict when people reject its message and the lordship of Christ.
Apostle Paul makes this declaration. II Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Paul explains to us this phenomenon as the offence of the cross. I Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. / I Corinthians 1:23-25 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, (24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Though there is persecution against the church and the Gospel, the Gospel is not chained. Philippians 1:12-14 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, (13) so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; (14) and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
The Gospel is not a message of hatred, but of love; not a message of war, but of peace; not a message of condemnation, but of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. Yet the very message that offers peace exposes sin, confronts human pride, and calls people to surrender to the lordship of Christ. Consequently, the One proclaimed as the Prince of Peace becomes the point of division, and those who proclaim His Gospel may face hatred, persecution, and violence.
The paradox is that the Gospel offers peace to the world, yet the world may respond with violence against those who bring it that message. Jesus foretold it, the apostles experienced it, and the early church demonstrated that persecution cannot chain the Gospel.
The accuser is the one who instigates violence against the church. Revelation 12:10-11 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
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