The following excerpt is taken from What Every Christian Should Know About Satan. Order your copy in print, Kindle, or Audible versions here.

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The apostle Paul is deeply concerned about the Thessalonians. Not that long ago, he and Silas led a missionary team westward out of Philippi on the Roman road known as the Via Egnatia. They came to Thessalonica, the strategic capital city of the Roman province of Macedonia. This large port city on the Aegean Sea was populated with idol worshipers, as well as those devoted to emperor worship. 

In typical fashion, Paul and his comrades located the city’s synagogue and began reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jews, many of whom believed Paul’s bold declaration, “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah” (Acts 17:3). Some devout Greeks who worshiped at the synagogue also were persuaded, along with several  prominent women. The church at Thessalonica was established. 

But many Jews in the city rejected Paul’s message and became jealous of Paul and Silas. They stirred up an angry crowd that invaded the home where the missionaries resided. Unable to find Paul, they dragged the homeowner (Jason) and other new believers before city authorities, who demanded a security payment to ensure against further disturbances. That night, the Thessalonian believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea, where they continued their missionary work (Acts 17:1-10). 

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