The Power Of The Scriptures - 1

Paul, with his missionary contingent, has come to a place called Thessalonica where there is a Jewish synagogue. As is his custom on every Sabbath day, he goes to the synagogue. I must admit that when I read this, I smiled, as it is the custom of many worshipers, to go to Church on a Saturday or Sunday, as the case may be, when they are away from home. I know that people go away on holiday, on business trips and other such and find a place of worship wherever they are. I am told that even on cruises, one can go to church, as there are chapels on board.

I have said all of that to say that this custom of Paul, of going to worship on the Sabbath ,is not unusual, in fact it is expected. However, what holds our interest here is that Paul doesn’t just go to the synagogue as a worshipper, he goes as a preacher and preaches to the people. This is what is documented in Acts 17: 2 – 3. 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.

Look at Paul the preacher and see Jesus the Preacher. Look at servant Paul and see Master Jesus. 

Paul is not in his hometown, for he has been travelling from place to place preaching Christ. Now he is all the way in Thessalonica. He has dedicated his life to Jesus and serves Him by going and telling people about Him. Is he not following in his Master’s footsteps? And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9: 35. Paul is an itinerant preacher as was Jesus, his Master.

Paul is also a synagogue preacher. We know that he preached in the open air, in market places and other public spaces. However, he was also committed to his own, Jewish synagogues and preached there as well. Is he not walking as his Master walked? Listen to what has been recorded about Jesus. Jesus is in a public place, a deserted place actually, and a crowd of people seek Him and find Him. They are having such a wonderful time of super fellowship with Jesus, they do not want Him to leave them.  Jesus understands, but He has to let them know this. I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent. And He went preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. Luke 4: 43b – 44. Paul is a travelling, synagogue preacher as was Jesus, his Master. 

Paul, as has already been mentioned, is a man of custom, as he goes to the synagogue in this new place, as he was used to doing. Was this not the same with his Master Jesus? Jesus had custom also and did what He was accustomed to. Listen to what is said about Him in Luke 4: 16. So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. Paul has the same custom of going into the synagogue on the Sabbath day as Jesus, his Master. 

Paul does not just go into the synagogue as a spectator, to listen and observe, and quietly share in worship. No! Absolutely Not! He goes to the synagogue prepared to preach, invited or not. He goes to tell the hearers about Jesus, the Christ, whether they ask for it or not. Is this not true of Jesus also? Jesus does not go into the synagogue to be an observer, spectator or one who sits quietly and listens to what is taking place, and then leave. No! Jesus goes with the direct purpose of preaching and teaching in the authority He possess. His intention is to actively share in worship, by taking a lead position.

Note, in the text that was just quoted, how Jesus stood up to read. In other words, He came, like Paul, prepared to preach. And trust me, in His reading the Scriptures, He preached truth as none present knew, not even the priests who were there. Paul has the same compelling Spirit as his Master, Jesus, to preach to the hearers in the synagogue the unsearchable riches of the Word of God. 

This will be concluded in Part II.