ACTS 17:1-9
“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid
upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Cor.9:16).

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(17:4) Preaching: the result of the message was that many believed. A real cross-section of society came to Christ. Note
who they were.
1. Some Jews believed and joined with Paul and Silas in following Christ. Note a significant point that should encour-
age every witness of the Lord. The Jews were the most prejudicial people imaginable, yet some were saved and became true
disciples. Sin can be overcome in lives, no matter how deeply rooted it may be. Paul did not let gross sin keep him from
preaching. He knew the power of the gospel and proclaimed it even to the most bitter and prejudicial.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every
one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Ro.1:16).

2. Many devout (God-fearing) Greeks and influential women believed. These were the people...
• who were sick of the idolatry and immorality of their society.
• who sensed the presence and sovereignty of the one true and living God.
• who saw in the Jewish religion and the Scriptures hope for discovering the truth of God and life.

“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened” (Lk.11:10).
“And [God] hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the
earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be
not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:26-27).
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek
him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Dt.4:29).
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart”
(Jer.29:13).
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it
is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you” (Hos.10:12).

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(17:5) Gospel, Reaction—Church, Problems in: the world’s reaction to the message. Three different segments of so-
ciety react to the gospel.
1. There are the religionists. (See DEEPER STUDY # 2, Religionists—Acts 17:5.)
2. There are the loafers, the idle, the disorderly who are always ready to stir up trouble and do mischief and evil. Such
people are easily aroused and led to react against anyone and anything. Leaders of government and religion have always
found the slothful and disorderly easy prey to use in their schemes to attack opponents. Note how the loafers and the disor-
derly have no interest in Christ at all. They go about their own interests and the pursuit of doing nothing until they are
aroused by some leader to oppose something. In the present situation the religionists used the disorderly to inflame the city
against Paul and Silas and the new believers.

Thought 1. The loafers are a dangerous threat to believers if aroused. Throughout history they have been used time
after time to oppose the movement of God. This is true even in the church. Carnal leaders seldom have been able to
arouse the spiritual against God’s will, but they have found easy prey in the uninvolved and in the loafers. By far
most trouble within churches comes from carnal leaders arousing the uninvolved.

3. There are the average citizens. The response of the average citizen to Christ is clearly seen in the picture described
here. They ignored Christ and had little to do with Him. But they could be easily influenced and become very disturbed with
Christ and His followers. Note what caused them to become aroused. It was...
• men with selfish motives.
• rumors being spread.
• talk against leaders.
• the ill-informed being aroused.
• religious leaders speaking against Christ and His followers.

“And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multi-
tude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people” (Mt.26:47).
“And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their
clothes, and commanded to beat them” (Acts 16:22).
“And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel
also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?” (Num.11:4).

DEEPER STUDY # 2
(17:5) Religionists: the religionists (Jews) are said to be “moved with envy” against Paul and the gospel. The word “envy”
(zelosantes) means jealous. Multitudes of people were turning to Christ; therefore, they were attending the preaching and
teaching sessions of Paul. The religionists became as envious as men can become. Note two significant points.
1. The religionists were envious because another preacher was getting the attention and recognition, following and
loyalty of the people. Simply speaking, they were jealous of his success.
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