Based on Acts 17:1-15 (New King James Version)
“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 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.’ 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. But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.’ And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.”
As we read, we were able to observe all the various things that took place in response to what the disciples preached. Some were saved, others refused to listen, and others incited an uproar and became a stumbling block to the Gospel. But what was it that provoked such a wide range of emotions and reactions? Was it because they spoke of a universal God? No. In reality, when God is the topic of conversation, people do not feel such strong aversion. Even unbelievers and agnostics are not particularly offended. Most people are accepting—or may even remain neutral—in their sentiments. So, what was it—and what is it—that causes so much trouble?
In the passage, we read that the disciples spoke—more precisely—of Christ Jesus; and they spoke of Him not as if speaking of a good man or a prophet, but as the God He is—the Almighty who was, who is, and who is to come. And the Lord mentioned several times that He would be a cause of division—among all kinds of people, even among family. This is what He said: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:34-37. So, although He is the Prince of Peace—as Isaiah mentions—His very person does not always bring about peace, but rather grave trouble.
Now, why did this happen, and why does it still occur? Why is there so much controversy? For the vast majority of Jews, it is impossible to accept that the very Jesus who was born and walked this earth was the same God who existed from the beginning—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the fearsome and mighty God who performed great wonders through His servant Moses; the very One who revealed Himself as the "I AM." Many cannot accept that this God took on our human form, even though He performed great signs, wonders, and miracles—going so far as to raise the dead. Others could never accept Him—particularly among the most learned religious leaders—not because they were unable to accept who He truly was (and is), but because, incredibly enough, they envied Him. This is what the Word says: “Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’ For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.” Matthew 27:17-18. So—whether out of envy, or because they cannot comprehend many things about Him (such as His birth), or because He took the form of a man, or because He died and they doubt His resurrection, or because some believe He never even existed—in one way or another, His person remains a subject of controversy.
The fact remains that, despite all the controversy the Lord provokes, everyone—without exception—must make a decision regarding what they believe about Him—without exception—because all will eventually have to acknowledge His majesty, reign, and authority: we, for the sake of eternal worship; and others, before receiving their eternal punishment—just like Satan himself. Yes, even Satan and all his minions will one day have to accept, kneel before, and confess God—the Lord Jesus Christ—as He truly is, just as it is written: “… For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romanos 14:10b-12. Those of us who desire salvation and eternal life must acknowledge the Lord, and treat Him as such until the end—not merely with words, but from the heart—so that we may be accepted before God the Father, as it is written: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. We must convince God with our heartfelt faith in the Lord—and with deeds—for it also says: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. And God will allow various things to happen to see if our faith is real and genuine—just as we see in the example of Abraham, the father of faith, as it says: “Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: ‘By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:15-18. Abraham convinced God—and we must do the same—to convince the Father with this faith: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6. So, has the following happened in your life, and will you abide in this faith despite the passage of time and the circumstances: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” Romans 10:9-10? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!