Luke records in Acts 17 that the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey brought him and his co-laborers to Thessalonica “where was a synagogue of the Jews” (Acts 17:1). He goes on to say that “Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead” (Acts 17:2-3; emphasis added). Likewise, Paul affirms to the Corinthian believers “I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:3-4; emphasis added). The point clearly set forth in these records as well as many others is that Christianity is rooted in revelation. Becoming a Christian is believing a message that is framed and governed by the scriptures, the Word of God.
We are told that in Thessalonica “some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas…[B]ut the Jews which believed not, moved with envy…and set all the city on an uproar” (Acts 17:4-5). Frankly, wherever the gospel has been preached from that day until today, some believe and some do not. The message, however, remains the same. As it was then so it is today because God’s word does not change!
Recognizing the divine origin of the message made all the difference for those Thessalonians who believed. Paul commended them because “when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (I Thessalonians 2:13; emphasis added).
The scriptures declare the gospel which “is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…[F]or therein is the righteousness of God revealed” (Romans 1:16-17). Christianity is believing a message revealed from God. And believing God is the core of what being a Christian is all about. “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” (I John 5:10-12).
Because of the uproar caused in Thessalonica by the unbelieving Jews, Paul was hastened out of town and sent to Berea. Again, he went into the synagogue of the Jews where “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore, many of them believed” (Acts 17:11-12). The word of God made the difference in their lives. They heard and believed.
There are many false “gospels” today that seek our attention. But it is imperative that we be like the Bereans who “searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.” Only the gospel of Christ can save from sin and grant eternal life. Are you listening to the right message? Have you believed?
From the Chaplain 
I have thought that in today’s church the gospel, righteousness and hell are not preached often enough. Yes, we hear the gospel given at the end of the message but what about devoting an entire message to these areas that are so important to a sinner turning from sin to Christ. Thank you again for the reminder and the picture of Paul and his desire to preach the gospel.
I like your thinking. Vicki raised the EXACT same question no less than two weeks ago.