Acts 17 and The Power of Persuasion in Preaching

The Power of Persuasion in Preaching

Introduction

History teaches us many lessons, and the book of Acts is one of the greatest historical records ever given to man. In its pages, we see how people from various backgrounds reacted to the gospel of Christ. In Acts 17, Paul’s work in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens reveals a clear pattern: the same gospel preached, the same method employed—reasoning from the Scriptures—and a wide range of responses. His goal was simple and unchanging: to persuade people to leave false religion and accept the truth of Jesus Christ. This remains the church’s responsibility today.

The Method: Reasoning from the Scriptures

When Paul entered Thessalonica, he went first to the synagogue, where people already had knowledge of God. For three Sabbaths, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer, rise again, and that Jesus is that Christ. His approach was deliberate: no emotional manipulation, no philosophy or entertainment, only Scripture-based reasoning. The aim was persuasion—not to personal opinion, but to the truth of God’s word.

Paul’s message persuaded some, including devout Greeks and influential women. This was his duty, as he later wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:11: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” Persuasion must be rooted in Scripture, calling all people to Christ, regardless of their background.

The Rejection: When the Word Provokes Opposition

Not all were persuaded in Thessalonica. Many Jews became envious and stirred up trouble, even forming mobs. Their rejection was not of Paul personally, but of God Himself (Luke 10:16). This rejection carried eternal consequences (John 12:48). Paul did not alter his message to avoid conflict; his responsibility was to please God, not men (Galatians 1:6–10).

The Noble Response in Berea

In Berea, Paul again went to the synagogue and preached the same message. The Bereans were “more noble” because they received the word eagerly and examined the Scriptures daily to see if Paul’s teaching was true. The result was that many believed. This is the model for conversion: the pure seed of the word (Luke 8) is sown, and those with honest hearts respond with obedience.

Athens: Preaching in an Idolatrous City

In Athens, Paul was stirred in spirit by the city’s idolatry. He reasoned daily in the synagogue and marketplace, aiming to persuade men to leave false religion. His message was consistent: salvation is only in Christ. For Paul, telling people to remain in their existing faith was not an option; false religion could not save. His goal was to confront error with truth, no matter how unpopular.

The Message: Foolishness to the World, Power to the Saved

In Athens and elsewhere, some mocked Paul, others delayed decision, but a few believed. As he explained in 1 Corinthians 1:18–29, the message of the cross appears foolish to the world, but it is the power of God to those who believe. God’s chosen method of saving the lost is the preaching of the gospel—not worldly wisdom, philosophy, or entertainment.

The Universal Call to Repentance

Paul concluded his message in Athens with a universal command: “God… now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30–31). Judgment is certain, and the assurance of it is the resurrection of Christ. Though most did not respond, a few believed—and for Paul, that made every effort worthwhile.

Conclusion

From Thessalonica to Berea to Athens, Paul never changed his message or method. He reasoned, explained, and proved from the Scriptures, seeking to persuade people to leave false religion and follow the only way to the Father. This is still the church’s mission today: to hold fast to the one gospel, calling all to faith, repentance, confession, baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and faithful living until death.

The Power of Persuasion in Preaching Sermon Outline:

Introduction

• Value of history as a teacher (Acts as historical record)

• Acts 17 as case study of gospel preaching and varied reactions

• Paul’s consistent method and message: persuade with Scripture

I. The Method in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–4)

• Paul begins in synagogue—reasoning from Scripture

• Content: Christ’s suffering, resurrection, and identity

• Aim: persuasion, not entertainment or philosophy

• Result: some persuaded, joined Paul and Silas

• 2 Corinthians 5:11 – persuading men is our duty

II. The Opposition (Acts 17:5–9)

• Many Jews reject message, stirred by envy

• Mobs formed, city in uproar, persecution of believers

• Luke 10:16 – rejecting the messenger is rejecting God

• John 12:48 – same word will judge rejecters

• Galatians 1:6–10 – no changing the message to please men

III. The Noble Bereans (Acts 17:10–12)

• Same method, same message

• Bereans’ nobility: eager reception, daily Scripture examination

• Many believe as result

• Luke 8 – pure seed produces fruit in good soil

IV. Athens: A City of Idols (Acts 17:16–21)

• Paul’s spirit provoked by idolatry

• Same method: synagogue, marketplace, daily reasoning

• Goal: persuade men to leave false religion for Christ

• Salvation only in Christ—false religion offers none

V. The World’s View vs. God’s Power (1 Corinthians 1:18–29)

• Cross seen as foolishness to perishing

• God saves through gospel preaching, not worldly wisdom

• Few of worldly wise, mighty, noble persuaded

VI. Universal Call to Repentance (Acts 17:30–34)

• God commands all to repent—judgment certain

• Resurrection proof of Christ’s authority

• Mixed responses: mockery, delay, belief

• Even few converts make the work worthwhile

Conclusion

• Paul’s message and method unchanged across cities

• Church today must reason from Scripture, not human methods

• Call to obey the gospel: faith, repentance, confession, baptism, faithful living

Call to Action

We live in a world as full of idols and false religion as Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. God has entrusted us with the same mission He gave Paul: to persuade people with His word to leave error and embrace truth. Let us commit to using the Scriptures—not human wisdom—to reason, explain, and prove that Jesus is the Christ, that salvation is in Him alone, and that obedience to His gospel is the only way to the Father.

Key Takeaways

• Persuasion must come from Scripture, not emotion or human philosophy (Acts 17:2–3)

• Rejection of the gospel is rejection of God (Luke 10:16)

• The noble hearer examines the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11)

• Salvation is only in Christ; false religions cannot save (Acts 4:12)

• The gospel is God’s power to save, even if viewed as foolishness by the world (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18)

• God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30–31)

Scripture Reference List

• Acts 17:1–34 – Paul’s work in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens

• 2 Corinthians 5:11 – Persuading men knowing the terror of the Lord

• Luke 10:16 – Rejecting Christ’s messengers is rejecting Him

• John 12:48 – The word will judge in the last day

• Galatians 1:6–10 – No other gospel

• Luke 8 – Parable of the sower

• Acts 4:12 – Salvation only in Christ

• 1 Corinthians 1:18–29 – God’s wisdom vs. man’s wisdom

• Acts 17:30–31 – Universal command to repent

• Romans 1:16 – Gospel is God’s power to save

• Revelation 2:10 – Be faithful unto death

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO