Why the Synagogue? (Acts 17:1-4)

by Roderick Barnes Missional Living

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 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.” 4 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.

Why the synagogue? That is, why does Paul have such a fixation on finding and preaching in the synagogue of the cities he visits? There are at least two reasons. First, it was a matter of readiness. The synagogue was the center of Jewish life. In its walls Paul would find Jews and God-fearing Gentiles especially suited to become witnesses. Jews and God-fearing Gentiles alike in the synagogue had been prepared to believe and bear fruit by their spiritual tutors (Galatians 3:24-25; John 5:39; 2 Timothy 3:15). More than anyone else the synagogue attendees would have been readied to receive the gospel; the Christ would be for them the sought after salvation from sins (Matthew 1:21), the long-awaited Son of David (Matthew 12:23; 21:9; 22:42), and relief from oppression (Acts 1:7). In the synagogue, conditioned by the reading of the law and the teachings of the rabbis, the Jew is readied to receive the Redeemer.

Second, and following from the first reason, it was a precedent established by Christ in His conduct (Luke 4:16; Matthew 9:35; 13:54; Mark 1:21, 39) and His commandments and counsel to the disciples (Matthew 10:5; John 16:2). Even when the church age had come priority was given to the synagogue (Acts 1:8). The lesson of the Lord’s focus and order would not have been lost on Paul. He is following Jesus in going first to the lost sheep of Israel and then the Gentiles (Romans 1:16; Acts 3:26).

Why the synagogue? In both Jesus and Paul missional thinking is determining their methods. The Jew is saved first in order that he might be sent first to help the nations. God had always intended Israel to be His witnesses (Isaiah 43:10, 12; 44:8). It was to this end that a relatively insignificant people were called out, saved, and then sent (Deuteronomy 7:7; 10:22). Look at those Old Testament Scriptures again and see that the Lord has designed Israel’s culture to cultivate in them unparalleled fitness for declaring the gospel. They will, as many as are willing, be the basis and beginning of His salvation program for the world. Salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22)! Why the synagogue? Paul sees and understands the importance of starting with a people especially prepared to preach Christ.

Look at Jesus and his apostle, friend. It is not foolish to focus on reaching the reachers. With the goal of going out with the gospel we do well to prayerfully consider who to reach first.

In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.

Questions for Discussion

  1. What does preparedness for the gospel really look like in your community? Where are the “synagogues” in your context. These would be places where people already have some spiritual openness or Scriptural engagement?
  2. Paul wasn’t winging it. He was following the missional example Jesus set (e.g., Jesus’ own synagogue ministry and the command to first go to “the lost sheep of Israel”). As you look at reaching people, what principles of ministry have been given to you by Jesus? E.g., Jesus said that when you go somewhere on a mission and are given a place to stay, unless you are cast out, stay in the place that first received you (Luke 10:7; Matthew 10:11; Mark 6:10).