29th Oct 26 | 04:00
Daily Study
Paul's unique ministry
Acts 17 - Series 02/Episode 21 - Thu 29th Oct 2026 - Paul's unique ministry - Acts 17:10-15 - MINISTRY IN BEREA - Acts 20:22-24
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.
Paul and the team, as well as the new believers in Berea, were being wise to have Paul leave Berea as the Jews were stirring up the crowds. They had experienced violence in Philippi as well as in Thessalonica. They were being careful so that the same aggression would not be repeated in Berea. The believers sent Paul to Athens by sea, but Silas and Timothy remained with them. This was an opportunity for the believers to be strengthened in faith and for Silas and Timothy to gain experience in handling the ministry without Paul.
Throughout the then Jewish world, Paul was specifically targeted for attack. Paul and Barnabas were attacked at Pisidian Antioch and at Lystra. Acts 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. / Acts 14:19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
We are seeing the attack against Paul in Thessalonica and Berea. The Jews attacked Paul in Corinth. Acts 18:12-13 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, (13) saying, "This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law." The Jews in Greece attacked Paul. Acts 20:2-3 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece (3) and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
The Jews attacked Paul in Jerusalem. Acts 21:27-31 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, (28) crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." (29) (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) (30) And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. (31) Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
The Jews were determined to kill Paul. Acts 23:12-15 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. (13) Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. (14) They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. (15) Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near."
The Jewish leaders planned an ambush to kill Paul. Acts 25:2-3 Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, (3) asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem-while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.
Paul himself spoke of the attack against him by the Jews. Acts 20:19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
What was Paul's attitude and response to the attack of the Jews to kill him? Acts 20:22-24 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, (23) except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. (24) But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Paul could not be persuaded otherwise. Acts 21:12-13 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. (13) Then Paul answered, "What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
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