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Reasoning From The Scriptures - Acts 17
Reasoning From The Scriptures - Acts 17
Read again Paul’s method and conduct of teaching here in Acts 17:1-5. Notice the three things that are at the foundation of his teaching:
- Reasoned (see Acts 17:17; 18:4, 19; 19:8-9; 24:25).
- Explained
- Gave evidence
Such was in accord with his instruction to Timothy:
| “The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26
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On OUR part, this is how we ought to conduct ourselves! But such reasoning is a two-way street, a give and take. Some, like those of Berea, entered into such reasoning with a mind for truth.
| “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.” (Acts 17:11-12). |
Or again, take for example, Apollos. He was, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, teaching accurately what he knew. Yet, when Aquila and Priscilla showed him ‘more accurately the way of truth’, he GREW, accepted the correction, and became aligned with truth. (Acts 18:24-26).
On the other hand, here in Thessalonica, the Jewish leaders were controlled by selfish-pride and jealousy and thus attacked Paul for such reasoning. (Acts 17:5). Violence, power, and persecution was their response to reasoning, explaining, and giving evidence.
In your discipleship, you will encounter times of correction. You can either grow or become defensive and attack. How do you react to correction and teaching?
Hugh DeLong
