”Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, {3} explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” {4} And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. {5} But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.” (Acts 17:2-5 NKJV)
Perhaps the quoted text from Acts 17 is not the typical Bible class but it does show many of the same important factors.
1. Paul reasoned from the scriptures. The idea of dialegomai is seen in Mark 9:34 to describe the interaction of the apostles arguing over first place in the kingdom of Jesus. In Acts 20:9, it describes Paul’s preaching to the church in Troas. In Acts 24:25, it is the pointed discussion of Paul with Felix concerning “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.”
2. Paul explained the scriptures. Dianoigo means to open. It’s literal use is found in opening the ears of the deaf (Mk. 7:34), in describing a first born child as the one who opens the womb (Lk. 2:23) and in opening the eyes, scriptures and understanding of the disciples (Lk. 24:31,32,45).
3. Paul demonstrated. Paratithemi literally means to put in front of someone. It describes Jesus telling the disciples a parable (Mk. 13:24,31). The word is attributed to Jesus as he died and put His spirit (before God Lk. 23:46).
Paul’s activity in Thessalonica was an attempt to tell the truth of God in a convincing way. Paul’s audience was not always friendly or convinced. Even though this was a time when the Holy Spirit was active miraculously in the lives of the apostles and disciples, it is still through the work of preaching and teaching that the gospel of Jesus was carried out; by study, reasoned arguments and discussion.
Proper Bible study is critically important today. It is NOT just reading the text and moving along. The true worshipers of God (Jn. 4:21-24) will carefully read, reason and assimilate the words of God into their lives.
Seed in a bag cannot produce until it is planted. Likewise the word of God does not produce until it is planted in hearts.
- Tim Orbison