For our Mediterranean Moments in Thessalonica, let’s tie together two passages of Scripture involving the gospel coming to the people of this busy seaport. Luke records that as a result of Paul’s presentations in the synagogue for three weeks,
And some of them(Jewish synagogue worshipers and leaders) were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason(where Paul and Silas were staying)(Acts 17:4-5 ESVitalics mine).
The few verses do not paint a pretty picture for the beginning of this church. While Paul’s argumentation was so well-received and successful to cause jealousy, Jewish leaders recruited wicked men and formed a mob which resulted in harm and the expulsion of Paul and Silas. Reasonable conclusions might perceive the church there would wither and die. The opposite seems to have occurred.
Paul writes to the Thessalonian leaders a few months later. Paul left Thessalonica for Berea, continued on to Athens, then spent some time in Corinth. While in Corinth, Timothy catches up with Paul and his companions. Timothy may have spent a little time in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3), and returned with a message of both encouragement and concern.
From Corinth, Paul writes 1 Thessalonians, probably in late AD50 or early 51. Look at Paul’s words at the beginning of the epistle:
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, (1 Thessalonians 1:2-9 NIV).
Instead of stopping the growth of the church, persecution actually spurred dedication and growth. The gospel took deep roots in the people, impressing upon them not just words but God’s power (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
Verse four includes a vital component which may be overlooked. The Christians in Thessalonica understood that God had chosen them for the circumstances surrounding them. As Mordecai said to Esther, “Who knows but what God has called you for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)?
On May 6, 2021, Christianity Today ran an article titled, “Proof That Political Privilege is Harmful for Christianity.” They produced research in 166 nations suggesting that the biggest threat to Christianity’s growth and strength is not persecution – or even affluence, education or diversity. Christianity’s biggest threat remains support from the government.
In their statistical analysis, their conclusion drawn from data between the years 2010 and 2020 from 166 different countries, including the United States, resounds the number of Christians decline significantly when the government provides active support for the church. The research led them to believe the relationship between state privilege and Christian decline was a causal one, rather than just a slight correlation.
In addition, Christianity experienced the most strength and growth in countries where it had to compete with other faith traditions on a relatively equal playing field. The famous economist, Adam Smith, argued in his ground-breaking work The Wealth of Nations, that just as market economy spurs innovation and energy by forcing competition, an unregulated religious marketplace produces a similar effect.
While lamenting the state of culture and Christianity provides some comfort, perhaps God has called your strength, your understanding of sound doctrine, and your tenacity for such a time as this. God calls people to particular tasks. How can your faith make a difference in a culture and church that appears to be drifting?
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