“Reasoning from the Scriptures”

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 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.”  (Acts 17:2.3) 

The citizenship of this Thessalonica included a large population of devout Jews. Their prevalence would have greatly influenced the political and moral climate this city. The synagogue would provide a captive audience for Paul. His message would stir the people.

In Thessalonica Paul used three sabbaths to teach about Christ. The basis of his lessons were the Old Testament Scriptures. Following the pattern of the Lord (Luke 24:44-47), Paul most likely appealed to Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets to validate his conclusion.  This would have been passages of Scripture that the Jews were familiar with.

In a logical manner Paul "reasoned" with them about Christ from the Scriptures. This method of “reasoning” would include intelligent discourse and discussion. He was explaining and demonstrating that Jesus is the Christ. His method would have involved an unveiling of the great Old Testament prophecies, and logically connecting them to the life of Christ.

Old Testament prophets promised that it would be necessary for the Messiah to suffer. (Isaiah 53:1-12)  Isaiah and other prophets clearly predicted the coming of a suffering servant. However, this was a truth that the Jews resisted. Their concept of a national deliverance so possessed their minds, that they could not conceive of such. But the Christ needed to suffer to bear man's burden and redeem him from sin. (Hebrews 9:26-28)

The same prophets also predicted that it would be necessary for Christ to rise from the dead. A savior held by the grip of death could not deliver man from sin and death. The Old Testament prophets surely predicted such a victory. (Acts 2:25-31)

Men's hearts have been softened by the marvelous truths revealed in God's word. Such a powerful message can "turn the world upside down" in modern times just as it did in Thessalonica two-thousand years ago. Let us open God’s book and testify to the world that Jesus is the Christ.

By George Slover

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