Chapter 31—Opposition at Thessalonica
After leaving Philippi, Paul and Silas made their way to Thessa-
lonica. They were there privileged to address a large concourse of
people in the synagogue, with good effect. Their appearance bore
evidence of their recent shameful treatment, and necessitated an ex-
planation of what they had endured. This they made without exalting
themselves, but magnified the grace of God, which had wrought their
deliverance. The apostles, however, felt that they had no time to dwell
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upon their own afflictions. They were burdened with the message of
Christ, and deeply in earnest in his work.
Paul made the prophecies in the Old Testament relating to the
Messiah, and the agreement of those prophecies with the life and
teachings of Christ, clear in the minds of all among his hearers who
would accept evidence upon the subject. Christ in his ministry had
opened the minds of his disciples to the Old-Testament scriptures;
“beginning with Moses and the prophets, he expounded unto them,
in all the Scriptures, the things concerning himself.” Peter, in preach-
ing Christ, produced his evidence from the Old-Testament scriptures,
beginning with Moses and the prophets. Stephen pursued the same
course, and Paul followed these examples, giving inspired proof in
regard to the mission, suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of
Christ. He clearly proved his identity with the Messiah, through the
testimony of Moses and the prophets; and showed that it was the voice
of Christ which spoke through the prophets and patriarchs from the
days of Adam to that time.
He showed how impossible it was for them to explain the passover
without Christ, as revealed in the Old Testament; and that the brazen
serpent lifted up in the wilderness symbolized Jesus Christ, who was
lifted up upon the cross. He taught them that all their religious services
and ceremonies would have been valueless if they should now reject
the Saviour, who was revealed to them, and who was represented in
those ceremonies. He showed them that Christ was the key which
unlocked the Old Testament, and gave access to its rich treasures.
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