7. What was always the burden of Paul’s preaching and reasoning and disputing with the Jews in their synagogues on the Sabbath? Acts 17:2-3; Acts 18:4; Acts 19:8.
NOTE: ‘In preaching to the Thessalonians, Paul appealed to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. Christ in His ministry had opened the minds of His disciples to these prophecies; “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:27. Peter in preaching Christ had produced his evidence from the Old Testament. Stephen had pursued the same course. And Paul also in his ministry appealed to the scriptures foretelling the birth, sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. By the inspired testimony of Moses and the prophets he clearly proved the identity of Jesus of Nazareth with the Messiah and showed that, from the days of Adam, it was the voice of Christ which had been speaking through patriarchs and prophets. Plain and specific prophecies had been given regarding the appearance of the Promised One.’ Acts of the Apostles, page 221.
8. How can we see that, although Athens was a difficult mission field, the Holy Spirit was still working powerfully on hearts in that pagan city? Acts 17:17, second part.
NOTE: ‘The labours of Paul in Athens were not wholly in vain. Dionysius, one of the most prominent citizens, and some others, became converts to Christianity, and joined themselves to him. The words of the apostle, and the description of his attitude and surroundings, as traced by the pen of inspiration, were to be handed down through all coming generations, bearing witness of his unshaken confidence, his courage in loneliness and adversity, and the victory he gained for Christianity, even in the very heart of paganism.’ Spirit of Prophecy, volume 3, page 402.