Logic and Faith versus Jealousy and Corruption in Acts 17

Almost everywhere Paul went, his actions highlighted the difference between the people of genuine reason, and the people of corrupted, faithless flesh who opposed sound reason. Although miracles were performed through Paul, it was not miracles for which his ministry is known.  He is known for his skillful ability to reason and to illuminate the word of God in such a way that people could see how Jesus was the Christ. Paul’s power wasn’t invested in miracles. It was invested in a sound mind that wrote most of the New Testament – with the lion’s share of his contributions presented in the form of effective, scripture-based reasoning and powerful logic. In fact, it was Paul who told Timothy that God did not give followers of Christ a spirit of fear, but of a sound and disciplined mind (1 Timothy 1:7).  In a similar vein, he implored Christians in Rome to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). 

This contrast between faith-filled, scripture-based reasoning and faithless, corrupted, fleshly worldliness is exquisitely demonstrated in Acts 17. Right at the beginning of that chapter, Paul spends three sabbath days reasoning from the scriptures with Jews at the synagogue in Thessalonica – arguing that Jesus was the Messiah. Some of the traditional Jews saw the quality of his logic, believed what he was arguing and joined him in his reasoning.   A great many of the Greeks who had converted to the Jewish religion did so as well – as did a portion of the leading women in the area.  But the Jewish leaders couldn’t (or wouldn't) see his reasoning. Instead, they became jealous. So, they enlisted wicked men to try and drag them before the civil authorities and leverage the power of the state against them (Acts 17:5-9).  Their jealousy was direct evidence of their corrupted flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). And Paul’s reasoning and self-control were direct evidence of his spirit-filled state of being (Galatians 5:22-24). Even if miracles would have been performed for them through Paul, it is likely that many of these Jewish leaders would have just discounted them.  Miracles, after all, did not convince Pharaoh in the Exodus.  They didn’t convince the ungrateful Israelites wandering in the desert and gathering manna from the ground. And the miracles of Jesus didn’t convince the Pharisees (Mark 3:1-6), nor did they convince the scribes (Mark 3:22). Ultimately, it was the Word of God that changed the minds of those who would listen. When that word goes out, it never returns to God void, but accomplishes whatever he purposes it to do (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Paul’s reasoning from the scriptures animated those people who had spiritual ears to hear. Miracles might have validated Paul’s relationship with God for them if they had any doubts, but they don't move people embroiled in religious duties for selfish gain, or whose hearts are entombed in stony corrupted flesh. Paul’s logical presentation of the scripture was like a double edged sword that cuts between soul and spirit, bone and marrow, and reveals one’s innermost thoughts (Hebrews 4:12).  But it was also like a lens and a light that made clear the ancient scriptures regarding the Messiah.