This class takes some time to show the historical accuracy of the Bible and how ideas from ancient Rome played a role in history between then and now. Paul’s travels were helped greatly by the roads, relative peace, and system of law that existed in the Roman Empire during the first century. Paul went to the synagogue in Thessalonica first where they would have the scriptures and be familiar with the Messianic promises. We discuss how Luke uses previews and echoes to help us see Paul serving Jesus Christ.

The passage we cover in this message says that Paul “reasoned” from the Scriptures and explained the Messianic implications. We look back at Luke 24 where Jesus revealed Himself to some disciples and similar words were used. The Greek word dei is commonly used in Luke/Acts for the “divine necessity.”  In this case Paul preached that it was “necessary” for Messiah to suffer and be raised from the dead. We look up passages from OT prophecy that teach this.

It is important that we do not cave into the postmodern rejection of reason and evidence. We have more historical and archeological evidence for the truth of the Bible now than ever. We cannot give up the battle for the truth when the evidence continually points to the inerrancy of the Bible. Paul “opened” the scriptures in the synagogue like Jesus “opened” the scriptures to the minds of the disciples at the end of Luke 24. Luke uses the same words in the Greek to show that Paul continues to fulfill God’s purposes after Christ ascended into heaven.