Turn the World!

Acts 17:6 – But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. NKJV

Paul’s mission in life was to bring as many people as he could to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Everywhere he went, everything that he said was for this one mission. In the 17th chapter of the Book of Acts, we see this truth on display, and I can’t help but wonder if I need to ponder this truth more.

We find Paul in Thessalonica, where he has been for three Sabbaths. As is his custom, he is in the synagogue, and the first thing we note is that Paul reasoned with them.

Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures

Acts 17:2 NKJV

Now the word “reason” comes from the Greek word “dialegomai”. It primarily denotes “to ponder, resolve in one’s mind”, then, “to converse, dispute, discuss, discourse with;” most frequently, “to reason or dispute with.” From this word, we understand that Paul was in the synagogue conversing, disputing, and having discourse with the men and women about who Jesus is from the perspective of the scriptures. He explained the scriptures to them that they may understand Christ.

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.”

Acts 17:3 NKJV

Paul also explained this gospel to them. It’s interesting to note that the word for explain is open, or the Greek word “dianoigō”. It is understood to mean that Paul “opened up completely” what he had to say about Jesus. He wanted them to truly understand the message of hope and deliverance that he was sharing with them. We can understand this by seeing that Paul was not only “reasoning” with the men and women, but he was “opening up their understanding” by interpreting what the scriptures had to say to them.

Paul also demonstrated the gospel message.

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.”

Acts 17:3 NKJV

The Greek word, paratithēmi, paints the picture of it used of setting subjects before one’s hearers by way of argument and proof. Demonstrating literally means to “lay alongside of”; in other words, showing how the passages relate to real life. It is the practical application of the Scriptures.

And the Bible says that because Paul reasoned, explained, and demonstrated the scriptures for these people,

And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.

Acts 17:4 NKJV

a great many of them believed in the Lord Jesus and joined themselves to Paul and Silas. But not all believed, nor were all persuaded!

 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

Acts 17:5 NKJV

There were some Jews amongst them, who heard the gospel so wonderfully proclaimed, yet they did not believe. Not only were they not persuaded to believe the gospel, but they also became envious. And the Bible says they gathered a mob of evil men and attacked the house of Jason, where Paul was staying. But Paul wasn’t there. They couldn’t find him. So, they took Jason and some of the brethren to the rulers of the city and proclaimed:

 “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”

Acts 17:6 NKJV

Wow! What a testimony that Paul, Timothy, Silas, and so many others of the early church had! They were noted here as having turned the world upside down! They preached Jesus to such a degree, they changed their known world for the kingdom of God! They reasoned, explained, and demonstrated Him on such a level that the world stopped and took note of what was happening. They had flipped the switch on the world, and as a result, they experienced persecution. As a result, Paul and Silas were snuck out of town and ended up in Berea!

Berea was fifty miles away from Thessalonica. It’s my understanding that it was “out of the way” in case the trouble-makers were sent to look for them. But as soon as they arrived, they looked for the synagogue to reason, explain, and demonstrate the scriptures to them.

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 

Acts 17: 11 NKJV

In Berea, Paul found fair-minded individuals who were more open to the gospel, and they received the word with readiness. Every preacher wants to preach to somebody hungry for God’s word. Apparently, they didn’t know that Paul and Silas were coming, but when they arrived, the people were ready and they received God’s word. As a people, they were open to biblical truth and desired to know more about the word. So they took it to the next level and searched the Scriptures.

Oftentimes, when I hear the word of God, I find myself fact-checking to see if what I am being told equates with sound doctrine. If I am unsure of something, I talk about it with my family on the way home from the service. And since I am a note-taker in church, I find myself going back into the scriptures to see if things pan out the way they were preached. So I can totally understand the Bereans’ need to search the scriptures. And do you know what happened? Many believed!

Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

Acts 17:12 NKJV

Paul and Silas made a mad dash for a city they didn’t know to escape persecution. And while they were there, they shared the gospel with the people. The people, in turn, received the word and studied the scriptures, giving them a foundation for what they were hearing. And many men and women believed in the Lord Jesus!

They continued their mission of turning the world upside down for the glory of Jesus! This makes me wonder how I live my life. Am I one who would say I turn the world upside down for the kingdom of God? No, I wouldn’t say that! Although I live my life in constant regard for the kingdom, it’s been a while since I personally led someone to Christ. I am sure that needs to change.

How about you? Are you actively seeking ways to witness for Jesus? Do you spend time wondering if you are sharing the gospel enough to be counted worthy of the cross? I know many have come to the Lord as a result of this blog, and I thank God for each and every one, but I need to personally witness more. Let’s make an attempt to turn our world upside down for the glory of God! Wonderful Jesus!