What is the meaning of Acts 17:4? Some of the Jews “Some of the Jews” (Acts 17:4) places us in the synagogue at Thessalonica, where Paul’s custom was “to reason with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2–3). • Scripture often records a believing remnant within Israel (Isaiah 10:22; Romans 11:5). • The gospel is “first to the Jew” (Romans 1:16), honoring God’s covenant order. • Their response fulfills Jesus’ promise that “whoever believes has eternal life” (John 6:47). were persuaded These Jews “were persuaded,” not by rhetoric alone but by the Spirit‐empowered exposition of Scripture. • Paul “explained and proved” that the Messiah “had to suffer and rise from the dead” (Acts 17:3). • The same word of God “effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thes 2:13). • Lydia’s story reminds us that “the Lord opened her heart to respond” (Acts 16:14). Salvation is both rational—grounded in fulfilled prophecy—and supernatural—wrought by God. and joined Paul and Silas Faith quickly moved to fellowship. • To “join” is to identify publicly with Christ’s messengers (Acts 9:26; 11:24). • Like the 3,000 at Pentecost who were “added” (Acts 2:41), these believers became part of a visible body, soon addressed as “the church of the Thessalonians” (1 Thes 1:1). • Following Jesus always involves following His people (John 13:35). along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks The gospel’s reach widened to Gentile seekers already attending the synagogue. • Such “God-fearers” include Cornelius (Acts 10:2) and those who “followed Paul and Barnabas” in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:43). • Their response fulfills the promise that “all nations will be blessed” through Abraham’s seed (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8). • This surge of Gentile faith anticipates Paul’s later affirmation: “You turned to God from idols … and wait for His Son from heaven” (1 Thes 1:9–10). and quite a few leading women Luke highlights socially prominent women who believed. • Philippi’s Lydia (Acts 16:14–15) and Berea’s “prominent Greek women” (Acts 17:12) show that status neither hinders nor helps salvation; all come the same way—by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). • Their conversion displays the honor Christ grants women in His kingdom (Galatians 3:28), and their influence likely advanced the church’s witness in the city. • The Thessalonian letters later commend believers who became “examples to all” (1 Thes 1:7), surely including these women. summary Acts 17:4 records a multi-layered harvest—Jewish, Gentile, male, female, influential, and ordinary—drawn together by the clear proclamation of Scripture and the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. They believed, united with Christ’s servants, and formed the nucleus of a vibrant church, illustrating that the gospel is powerful, persuasive, and universally inviting to all who will listen. |
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