Acts 17-18:17 | Trusting God for Those He is Calling to Himself

Paul’s ministry recorded in Acts 17 could be seen by some as a failure. Most of the people he spoke do did NOT believe in Christ. And, in almost every city, a group tried to kill him.

THESSALONICA

And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” ⁴And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women. ⁵But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked men from the market place, formed a mob ...

BEREA

¹⁰The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹Now 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. ¹²Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men. ¹³But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

ATHENS

¹⁶Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols. ¹⁷So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present ...

³²Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.” ³³So Paul went out of their midst. ³⁴But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

DIVINE PERSPECTIVE

But looking through the lens of God's Word and extended history, we see the incredible fruit of Paul's faithfulness. Everywhere he went, he reasoned, proclaimed, and pointed people to Christ. Some believed some were angry, some rose up to kill the messenger. But Paul kept proclaiming and, in every city, people believed in Jesus.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was such a gospel trail from our lives? That in every city where we went, "some believed." God give us grace to faithfully, constantly share the gospel with others, and leave the results to The-God-Who-Saves.

Father, keep us faithful to do the most important thing. Thank You that You save people and we get the eternal privilege of joining Your work! May we never, never give up!