51-52 AD

1 and 2 Thessalonians

“After Paul and Silas had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three sabbath days argued with them from the scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This is the Messiah, Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you.” Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.

Paul in Thessalonica - Second Missionary Journey - Acts 17

The people and the city officials were disturbed when they heard this, and after they had taken bail from Jason and the others, they let them go. That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea;”

Date - 51-52Place - Athens

“But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. shouting, “These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also. They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor, saying that there is another king named Jesus.”

History

✤ Founded in 316 BC by Cassander

✤ Named for his wife Thessalonikeia

✤ Became capitol of the Macedonian Province in 146 BC

✤ Supported Antony and Octavian

✤ Free city - No tribute, governed by own laws, got to establish games to honor emperor

Date

Thessalonica

Date

Via Egnatia

Arch of Galerius

SerapisGreco-Egyptian god

Dying and Rising

Repentance

RomaGoddess of the Roman State

DionysusGod of Wine

Parties

Sexuality

CabirusYoung man unjustly killedWill return to aid poorSymbols: hammer and fertility

Fornication

✤ 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one wrong or exploit a brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, just as we have already told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. Therefore whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Primarily about adulteryPrinciples apply to any sex outside of

marriage

SkeuosVessel?Body?Wife?

Work

✤ 1 Thessalonians 2:3–9

✤ no pretext for greed

✤ he was not a burden

✤ 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12

✤ work with your hands

✤ 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15

✤ Possible causes of laziness

✤ Parousia

✤ Patronage

✤ Reactions

✤ Work ethic vs. Compassion

End Times

✤ 1 Thessalonians 4:13–15

✤ Dead in Christ will rise first

✤ 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6

✤ Day of the Lord will be like a thief in the night

✤ Rapture?

✤ 2 Thessalonians 2:1–8

✤ It has not yet happened

✤ Signs

✤ apostasy

✤ man of lawlessness

✤ Jesus will defeat

✤ Do the letters Disagree?