Paul in Thessalonica

The New Testament contains irrefutable and comfounding textual evidence for all those who alter the history of Macedonia. Paul witnessed a vision of a Macedonian calling him to come to Macedonia and help his people. He responded, crossed Chryssopoli (present day Kavala) and before arriving in Athens and Corinth preached Christ’s teachings to the cities of Philippi, Thessalonika and Beroea, where he became accepted by “Judaeans” and “Greeks” alike

Thessalonica was a significant city in Paul's day. It was a major cosmopolitan city with a large Jewish community. Greeks ,Romans and Jews were all mixed together as it was a business town. It had emphasis on commerce and the practical details of life; money ruled this town.It is of interest that in this very commercial place, that the Second Advent would be so relevant.

1. Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2. And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3. Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
4. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
5. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7. Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
8. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
9. And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
10. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Paul only had a short time in Thessalonica but in that period he taught all the basic doctrines and also grounded them in eschatology. The teaching of the Word of God especially for training should be concentrated. If you have a revival you should stop everything and really ground the converts in the doctrine of the Word so that they may grow to be self sustaining. They should be taught 8 hours a day for a couple of weeks. The longer you take to complete a discipleship course the worse it is going to be for them. Paul stayed there and taught and taught.