I & II Thessalonians

 

Paul's second missionary journey establishing the church in Thessalonica and the writing of the epistles to the Thessalonians.

 

I & II Thessalonians written within a short time of each other in ca 51‑ 52 AD.  Paul sent Timothy back toThessalonica from Athens [I Thess 3:2].  Now Timothy has returned to Paul in Corinth with word of theirfaith and love [I Thess 3:6].  I Thessalonians is concerned primarily with the second coming of Christ.  Hecorrects certain errors which have crept into the church [I Thess 4:1‑12].  He then continues to assurethem that the dead in Christ will be raised to everlasting life at the coming of the Lord Jesus[I Thess 4:13‑18].  He then writes that they do not need to know the time of the Lord's coming becausethey know that "the Lord cometh as a thief in the night" [I Thess 5:1‑2].

 

II Thessalonians is written to straighten out an apparent misunderstanding about the coming of the Lord.Apparently some think that the Lord's day had already arrived.  In a revelation like passage, Paul explains  what must proceed the second coming of Christ [II Thess 2:1‑12].  Paul then commands them to stay awayfrom disorderly and idle people [II Thess 3:6‑15].

 

ca 50 AD Paul discusses with Barnabas going again to visit all of the cities where they preached the word of the Lord [Acts 15:36].  He and Barnabas have a falling out over John Mark joining with them again

[Acts 15:37‑39].  Paul takes Silas and begins his second  journey at Antioch traveling to Syria and Cilicia [Acts 15:40‑41].

 

Paul and Silas come to Derbe and Lystra where Paul meets Timothy [Acts 16:1‑2] and circumcises him [Acts 16:3].

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy travel through the cities in Galatia and Phrygia establishing churches [Acts 16:4‑7].  They were forbidden by the Holy Ghost from visiting to preach in Asia or Bithynia [Acts 16:6‑7].

 

They passed by Mysia and stopped in Troas [Acts 16:8].  Paul has a vision asking him to come to Macedonia[Acts 16:9‑10].  (Note: Paul’s first missionary journey had only taken him as far west as Antioch Pisidium  at the western edge of southern Galatia).  Luke joins with Paul and Silas and travels to Philippi with them.  (Note: Acts 16:8 "they" came down to Troas, Acts 16:10 "we" endeavored to go into Macedonia, and Acts 16:12 and from thence to Philippi)

 

Leaving Troas they go into Samothracia and Neapolis. They then travel on to Philippi and remained a few days.  Here Paul converts and Baptizes Lydia and her household [Acts 16:11‑15]. 

 

Paul drives a spirit from a possessed woman [Acts 16:16‑18].  He and Silas are put into jail because,  "These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city" [Acts 16:19‑24].  As Paul and Silas are praying and  singing an earthquake opens the jail.  Paul and Silas are taken to the home of the jailer.  Because of the miracle Paul Baptizes the jailer and all of his household [Acts 16:25‑40].  Luke remains in Philippi for six years. (Note: Acts 17:1 "they" came to Thessalonica.  Acts 20:6 "we" sailed away from Philippi).

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy travel through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica.  Paul goes to the synagogue and preaches the gospel to the Jews on three sabbath days.  His message is the death and

resurrection of Jesus as the Messiah [Acts 17:1‑4].

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy are driven out of Thessalonica because they have "turned the world upside down"  [Acts 17:5‑9].  They travel to Berea.Paul teaches in the synagogue and converts many. 

[Acts 17:10‑12].

 

Paul is driven out of Berea by the Jews from Thessalonica. Timothy and Silas stay in Berea.  (Note: First mention of Timothy since Acts 16:1‑2).  Paul travels to Athens and sends for Timothy and Silas  [Acts 17:13‑15].  Paul preaches in the synagogue to the Jews and in the market [Acts 17:16‑21].  Paul preaches to the Athenians from Mar's hill and declares to them who the "unknown God" is that they

worship.  Paul also tells them of Jesus Christ and his resurrection [Acts 17:22‑34].

 

Paul departs Athens for Corinth.  He lives there with a man named Aquila and his wife Priscilla.  He takes up his trade of tent making (or leather working) with them.  He preaches every Sabbath in the synagogue and converts many Jews and Greeks [Acts 18:1‑4].

 

Silas and Timothy join Paul in Corinth.  Paul testifies to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. Paul makes the decision to take the Gospel to the Gentiles after the Jews of Corinth oppose him and blaspheme;  "Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles" [Acts 18:5‑6].

 

Paul goes to the house of Titius Justus who lives next door to the synagogue.  Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, is converted along with many Corinthians who believe on Jesus Christ and are baptized

[Acts 18:7‑8].  Paul has a vision in which the Lord tells him not to be afraid to speak, "For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee" [Acts 18:9‑10].  Paul stays on in Corinth, teaching the word of God, for a year and a half [Acts 18:7-11].

 

Paul is brought to the judgement seat by the Jews but the Roman Governor will have none of it [Acts 18:12‑17].

 

Paul, with Aquila and Pricilla, leave for Ephesus [Acts 18:18‑21].  Paul travels to Cesarea, then to Jerusalem and back to Antioch [Acts 18:22].

 

LTS  November 1996