Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath Days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.

 

Paul and Silas left Philippi and traveled to Thessalonica which was the capital city of Macedonia and had approximately 60,000 people living there at the time. As was his custom, Paul went to the synagogue to share the Gospel with the Jews first. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath Days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures. (Acts 17:2)

 

For three weeks Paul taught them using the only material he had, the Words of the Prophets. Remember, in those days, there was no New Testament. It had not yet been written. All Paul had was the Prophecies of Old and his own testimony. He would later write to the Romans So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)

 

Paul did not talk about politics, economics, ethics, or philosophy with them. Although Paul was the most educated person on earth at the time, he didn’t try to educate them on any subject except the Gospel of Christ. He knew that there was nothing more important to know. All the education in the world will not save a person and Paul was interested in their Salvation. Nothing else mattered so he did not waste his time on other subjects.

 

In his commentary on this Verse, Swaggart wrote, Man’s original problem was not money. If it had been, God would have sent an economist. As well, man’s original problem was not physical. If so, God would have sent a physician. Man’s original problem was not in engineering. If so, the Lord would have sent an engineer. As well, man’s original problem was not education, If so, God would have set an educator. Man’s original problem was sin and in response to that problem, God sent a Savior. That Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The Apostle Paul set aside all his formal education and everything he had learned from the great Gamaliel. He had a brain full of knowledge but he shared his heart which was full of the Love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing else was worth his time. Paul wrote about this in all of his letters to the various churches and the Holy Spirit chose to include them in the Canon of Scripture for us. The following are some examples.

 

For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)

 

To know the Love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)

 

For the Message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the Power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the Message preached to save those who believe. (1 Corinthians 1:18-21)

 

Education is a good thing but knowledge is not Salvation. Seek that which is eternal: The Message of the Cross of Christ.

 

 

This is the only thing that will……….turn the tide……….in your life!

 

Thank you God for your Word.         Doreen

 

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