As Paul and Silas continued on their second missionary journey, they arrived in the city of Thessalonica in Greece.
Paul and Silas then traveled through the towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. 3 He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” Acts 17:1-3 (NLT)
The Greek word translated “to reason with” in verse 2 above is dialegomai, which can also mean to discuss with, preach, or address. There is quite a difference between talking to an audience and holding a discussing with a group. It is the kind of difference in experience between listening to a “talking head” in a large auditorium and sitting in a living room talking with a group of people.
When people are open to engage the scriptures, it is important for us to present the gospel in a way that enlists our hearers to think through the its claims and hopefully arrive at the desired conclusion.
Only the Holy Spirit can enable us to see truth, however. Our part is to reason with people. His part is to open their understanding and reveal Christ to them, causing faith to spring up in their hearts.
There is a divine logic to the gospel, but only those whose eyes and hearts have been opened by the Holy Spirit can perceive it.
You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5–6 (NLT)
