Pastor David Jang provides an exposition of Acts 17, highlighting the core principle of Paul's ministry when he arrives in Thessalonica to preach the gospel as he begins his full-scale mission in Europe. According to his explanation, we see from Acts 16 that Paul has already crossed from Asia Minor to Macedonia on the European continent. In Philippi, where he took his first steps, he faced various tribulations and hardships, yet Paul and his coworkers never retreated but continued to "move forward." This scene reminds us that when it comes to the work of spreading the gospel and engaging in mission, it is crucial to keep pressing on despite any obstacles or suffering.
Pastor David Jang believes that the severe trials Paul endured in Philippi did not merely discourage him; rather, they gave him the opportunity to strengthen his faith in the core truth of the gospel. This "core of the gospel" is the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By adeptly interweaving these two truths, Paul was able to effectively preach not only to the Jews in the synagogue but also to Greeks and even to women of high social standing. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that "proclaiming the gospel" essentially means bearing accurate witness to the historical reality and redemptive significance of "the cross and the resurrection." If this core is shaken, then all other doctrinal or intellectual teachings inevitably become hollow words suspended in midair.
In Acts 17:2-3, Paul preaches in the Jewish synagogue at Thessalonica for three Sabbaths, explaining the Old Testament Scriptures. Pastor David Jang pays special attention to this passage, noting that Paul's proclamation showed, in a coherent way, how the Law and the Prophets ultimately point to Jesus Christ. He also points out that in order to communicate the essence of the gospel in a short period, one needs clear and concise ways of presenting "the truth of redemption." In this respect, he gives a positive assessment of concise gospel tools such as the Four Spiritual Laws. Paul's sermons and messages were "point-focused" enough for ordinary people to grasp, and they were firmly centered on the necessity of the cross and the resurrection-"why Christ had to suffer and rise again."
Pastor David Jang then goes on to explain why Paul first sought out the Jewish synagogue, referencing Romans 9. Paul loved his fellow Israelites so much that he said, "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race" (Romans 9:3). Though Paul was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles, he could not ignore the covenant, the Law, the worship, and the promises given to God's chosen people-his own nation. It was precisely because Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of that history and tradition that, wherever he went, Paul sought out the synagogue to preach. Pastor David Jang interprets this as "the Lord's heart within Paul." In other words, Paul could not abandon those who possessed God's promise, even if they would hurl stones at him or show him hatred and persecution.
At this point, Pastor David Jang strongly asserts that "a gospel preacher should not easily give up just because the other person rejects you." The early church was not entirely severed from Judaism. Rather, it regarded the Old Testament as a foreshadowing of Christ and held it in high regard, linking it to the New Testament. This spirit of unity enabled the church to establish a system in which all 66 books of Scripture were equally honored within the church. Pastor David Jang reminds us that whenever voices claim "the New Testament alone is sufficient without the Old Testament," we must recall Paul's unifying attitude. Only when we correctly understand that "the New Testament is the fulfillment and completion of the Old Testament" can we fully grasp how the gospel was actually spread.
According to Acts 17:4, Paul's preaching led to the conversion of "a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women." Pastor David Jang notes that Greek people-particularly those in the Greek region who valued intellectual culture and philosophy-responded to the gospel because the "real truth" that satisfied their intellectual thirst was precisely the redemption found in Christ. Additionally, noblewomen-those with social standing and wealth-also had spiritual longings, and their eyes were opened through the gospel. This proves that the gospel is not only for the common people or the lower classes but a powerful force that embraces every social stratum.
Particularly, Pastor David Jang stresses that Paul's missionary journey from Philippi to Thessalonica exemplifies the "tireless advance" typical of the early church's missionary model. Despite being thrown into prison in Philippi, suffering beatings, and being left in a deplorable state, Paul and Silas walked another 161 kilometers (or perhaps even farther) to Thessalonica and continued to preach the gospel there. Under the banner of being a "scattered church" and a "church on the move," Pastor David Jang urges today's evangelists and missionaries: "Do not settle; keep moving forward." This implies going beyond a ministry model fixed in one location. Instead, as the Holy Spirit leads, resources and personnel are to be reassigned, sometimes leaving one place and later returning.
Pastor David Jang also suggests examining "how Paul utilized his four co-workers, including Luke; how Timothy and Silas were sent out again; how the Philippian church provided financial support; and how house churches were established." The key issue throughout this entire process is that "the gospel continued to expand through disciples, and an organic connection remained so that any church that had been planted could be helped whenever needed." In other words, the early church did not simply abandon a city once it had been evangelized. It sent Timothy or other coworkers to check on the believers' spiritual condition and provide the pastoral care they needed. Under this strategic approach, Paul could stay in each mission field for just a few months or up to three years without stagnation, leaving swiftly when necessary and caring for the churches through letters.
Pastor David Jang views the "mobility and unity" displayed by the early church as essential qualities of mission that the modern church must rediscover. Staying in one region for an extended time and building a stable base has its value. But like Paul-who would "move on to another place as soon as fruit began to appear, opening up new fields"-a more dynamic model is needed. This model requires an ongoing network of prayer, finances, and personnel to enable the new church to stand on its own. Pastor David Jang notes from Philippians and the Thessalonian epistles that "the Philippian church contributed funds twice to help Paul." Thanks to that support, although Paul did combine tentmaking with ministry, at times he could focus solely on evangelism. As a result, Thessalonica and other churches grew more solid.
Summarizing all this, Pastor David Jang emphasizes in Acts 17 "the unwavering proclamation of the gospel's core-namely the cross and resurrection-while maintaining unity and caring for one another, and advancing from one city to the next." He believes that this was the early church's missionary model and that the modern church, by returning to it, will experience even more powerful works of the Holy Spirit. In the cases of Philippi and Thessalonica, both cities became monumental stepping stones in world evangelization because of the churches Paul planted there. Therefore, Pastor David Jang insists that we, too, can-and indeed must-follow that path.
Pastor David Jang explains that the "Thessalonian mission" event in Acts 17 clearly reveals Paul's missionary philosophy and his love for his own people. The most notable point here is that although Paul was repeatedly persecuted by the Jews, he continued to go "first to the Jewish synagogue." To understand why, we must refer to Paul's confession in Romans 9, where he expresses his deep sorrow for his own people, to the point of wishing to be cut off from Christ if it meant their salvation. Pastor David Jang interprets this as the "love that resembles the heart of Jesus Christ."
Such an attitude in Paul allowed the early church not to sever itself from Judaism but to hold onto the promise that Old Testament prophecies find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. If Paul had simply said, "I am an apostle to the Gentiles, so the Jews are no longer my concern," the church might have been deeply fractured at its very inception. However, Paul visited the synagogue first wherever he went, and he continued to reach out with the gospel even to the same people who once sought to kill him. Pastor David Jang calls this "coming back in love to those who respond with hatred." Ultimately, this spirit of unity, rooted in the early church, connected the Old and New Testaments, and realized the vision of uniting Jews and Gentiles into one body.
Acts 17:3 summarizes Paul's sermon in Thessalonica as a Scriptural demonstration that "the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead." Pastor David Jang declares that if this core message is absent, it cannot be called the gospel. The cross of Jesus Christ ("He had to suffer") and the resurrection ("He had to rise again") are the very pinnacle of the Law and the Prophets. Hence, the key to converting devout Greeks and noblewomen in Thessalonica was providing a comprehensive explanation of this "salvation story," centering on the cross and resurrection.
Indeed, looking at 1 and 2 Thessalonians, we find evidence that the congregation there included many who were intellectually sophisticated, and who engaged in deep discussions about eschatology and religious concepts. Paul even addressed practical issues by instructing them, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." Pastor David Jang interprets this to mean that in the aristocratic Greek society of that time, nobles were often reluctant to work, but in the gospel community, such an attitude had to be corrected so that everyone worked diligently for the Lord. To correct a church prone to eschatological fanaticism, Paul wrote extensively in the Thessalonian letters about the resurrection of the dead and the Lord's return. These topics were "doctrinal and practical" matters necessary for the continued growth of the church after Paul's short stay.
Pastor David Jang highly values Paul's approach to continually caring for the church after their conversion. Even amid persecution and threats to his own life-forces that made him relocate-he stayed in touch with the believers in Thessalonica, guiding them by letters. He would send Timothy or Silas, and if personal visits were impossible, he would write letters to strengthen the church. Pastor David Jang calls this the "organic church-planting model," in which a church is planted in one area, then the missionary moves on to another after some time but never abandons the former church entirely. Instead, he sends reinforcements or offers instructions whenever needed. Under such a system, the churches shared finances and people, moving as one unified body.
Furthermore, Pastor David Jang points out that in Thessalonica, "many Greeks and noblewomen were converted," which carries significant missional meaning. That the gospel was embraced in a prime center of Greek culture demonstrates that Christianity, rather than being just a small sect from the region of Palestine, was truly a universal truth capable of spreading worldwide. Moreover, once women of high social standing-noblewomen-accepted the gospel, their families and social networks naturally came under the influence of the gospel. This connects to the fact that the early church often met in people's homes as "house churches," crossing social and cultural barriers from its inception.
In all these developments, the core principle is "just as Paul continually reached out to his own people, we too must not abandon those who have rejected or persecuted us." Pastor David Jang states that "one who has the heart of the Lord does not easily store up resentment but reaches out in love to the very end." Without such an attitude, the church easily collapses in the face of internal conflicts or societal prejudices. Yet, Paul practically demonstrated a loving passion that sustained his ministry, returning to cities where he had nearly been stoned to death.
Consequently, a "unified church" emerged, one in which both the heritage of the Jewish people and the Greek intellectual milieu converged.Here, Pastor David Jang calls on modern churches to examine whether they have "built up walls along ethnic, cultural, and denominational lines, recognizing only their own group." The early church was the exact opposite. Jews, Greeks, and even wealthy noblewomen received the gospel together, sharing their talents and resources for the community. Accordingly, if modern churches wish to follow this model, they must actively foster inter-church cooperation, sending and supporting missionaries financially, and rotating personnel. The unity in Thessalonica soon extended to Berea, Athens, and Corinth, eventually spreading the gospel throughout Asia and Europe-thus laying the foundation for the early church's historic growth.
Wrapping up his exposition of Acts 17, Pastor David Jang outlines several "practical applications of gospel proclamation" revealed through the Thessalonian church. First, "Above all else, an evangelist or missionary must have a deep personal encounter with the Lord." This mirrors the scene on the Emmaus road in Luke 24, where the disciples only recognized the risen Jesus when He broke bread with them, and their hearts burned within them as He opened the Scriptures. Pastor David Jang insists that "The gospel is a testimony of 'the Lord whom I have met personally,' not just an abstract doctrine or academic study."
Second, he emphasizes, "Never lose sight of the essence of the gospel-namely, the cross and the resurrection-when preaching the Word." Paul spent three Sabbaths in Thessalonica expounding on precisely why Jesus Christ had to die on the cross and why He had to rise from the dead. According to Pastor David Jang, "No matter how many other rich topics a church pulpit or mission field may address, if the cross and resurrection are not clearly presented, it is difficult for people's souls to experience genuine repentance and rebirth."
Third, "Strive for unity rather than division within the church." Referencing Acts 17:5 and onwards, Pastor David Jang notes that just as some Jews became jealous and tried to expel Paul, jealousy and envy within the church can lead to immediate conflict. However, the early church overcame such issues, creating a system where churches would share financial resources to aid those in need. If one place lacked workers, they would send coworkers; they constantly exchanged prayer and love. As a result, even when Paul left one city quickly, the church still stood firm and continued to grow. This is Pastor David Jang's interpretation of how the early church prospered.
Fourth, he advises, "Although a gospel worker must keep moving, they must never disappear entirely." Paul traveled from Philippi to Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, and on to Ephesus, spending two or three years establishing churches. Yet he did not insist on serving as the 'resident pastor' in one place; he would leave after training faithful believers. Still, he maintained various lines of communication so he could address their needs. This approach prevented the churches from becoming dependent on Paul alone and allowed them to become self-reliant in the Holy Spirit, while still receiving help through a vibrant network when required. Pastor David Jang asserts that modern pastoral and missionary work also needs this structural flexibility for the gospel to spread more rapidly and widely.
Fifth, "Practice love by sharing finances and resources." While Paul engaged in tentmaking, he was better able to focus on evangelism and pastoral care whenever churches like Philippi offered financial support. Pastor David Jang says that such mutual support should be active between mission fields and various churches, both locally and globally. It is an essential aspect of "koinonia" (fellowship among believers), as well as proof that the church is one body, interconnected.
Ultimately, Pastor David Jang's message, rooted in the flow of Acts 17, is a call to "reproduce the vitality and dynamism of the early church in our time." When the gospel reached Thessalonica, a transformation occurred: Jews, Greeks, and noblewomen united to form a new church, illustrating the ideal of unity that every church should pursue. Additionally, once that church found stability, Paul moved on to a new mission field but continued to care for the Thessalonians by strategically sending Timothy, Silas, and Luke, never fully losing touch with them. This "spread out yet interconnected" network was the original pattern of early church missions.
Pastor David Jang then urges the many missionaries and evangelists serving in 161 countries (or even more) worldwide to internalize "Paul's pattern." He instructs them not to carry the entire burden alone but to practice mutual support, rise above jealousy and envy, proclaim the central truth of the gospel without wavering, and share finances and manpower whenever needed. Following this course will cause the church to "reproduce itself" and expand, re-enacting the "explosive spread of the gospel" witnessed in the early church.
Next, Pastor David Jang encourages believers to study Paul's epistles-written from places like Thessalonica, Philippi, Corinth, and Ephesus-in parallel with the events in Acts. Doing so clarifies the context in which each letter was written and reveals Paul's pastoral concerns for each church. For example, Philippians is a prison epistle yet focuses on "rejoicing." First and Second Thessalonians address eschatological themes and practical moral teachings. First and Second Corinthians tackle issues related to spiritual gifts and internal conflicts, while Ephesians highlights the cosmic and universal nature of the church. Each letter represents Paul's spiritual legacy in nurturing "planted churches," containing principles modern churches must also learn.
Finally, Pastor David Jang repeatedly calls for "a passion for the Lord and for the mission entrusted by Him." Although Paul and his coworkers shed blood and sweat to establish the churches in Philippi and Thessalonica, they never boasted about their achievements. Rather, throughout their ministry, they testified only to the grace and love they had received from the Lord, running the race as those indebted to that love. Paul could rise again and again, no matter how many times he fell; he continued to preach the gospel even after being beaten. Pastor David Jang concludes that Paul's perseverance stemmed from "having a heart shaped by Jesus Christ, proven through the cross and resurrection."
In conclusion, Acts 17 is not simply an account of a church being planted in Thessalonica; it marks a significant turning point in the expansion of mission work in Europe. The fact that intellectual Greeks and noblewomen embraced the gospel there, forming a congregation of both Jews and Greeks worshipping together, clearly demonstrates how the gospel could rightfully be called "universal." Pastor David Jang urges today's church to pay close attention to this, declaring, "We must all recover the passion and spirit of the early church."
By "recovering," he means that we must renew our focus on the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ while guiding the heart of every gospel worker, and lead church communities away from petty conflicts and division toward unity. Simultaneously, those who are sent out must not remain stagnant but continually seek new souls. We must keep the truth of the gospel in one hand and the network of partnership and unity in the other. By moving in this way, the flames of revival will not die out even after many years; instead, they will keep burning. Pastor David Jang insists that all present-day missionaries, church leaders, and believers should internalize this principle found in Acts 17.
Ultimately, Pastor David Jang presents three pillars for today's church to pursue, gleaned from the Thessalonian church. First, "Proclaim the essence of the gospel (the cross and the resurrection) unwaveringly." Second, "Help and care for one another-support those churches that are struggling financially-and do not stay in one place but keep pushing forward." Third, "Never neglect to lovingly watch over converts' faith until the very end." When these three elements work in harmony, the church can branch out across the world as a living organism, just like the early church.
Moreover, Pastor David Jang offers a word of encouragement to "our community that has passed its 30th anniversary and seeks to embrace a greater mission." He foresees that if we follow this path, we will witness an "unprecedented explosive work of the Holy Spirit." He also points out that in many of the 161 countries (or more) where the seeds of the gospel have been planted, the ministry is already bearing fruit. If everyone there embraces this "Acts-centric principle," supporting and encouraging each other, the church will never be divided but instead grow stronger. The event in Thessalonica in Acts 17 ultimately testifies that "the Lord is still working and that the gospel prevails even amidst suffering." That assurance, he concludes, is the power and courage we need to keep advancing today.
He concludes by emphasizing that through the Thessalonian church, we see three pillars for today's church: First, "Preach the uncompromised gospel (the cross and the resurrection)." Second, "Provide mutual care and support, sharing resources with struggling churches, and keep moving forward." Third, "Show enduring pastoral concern for new believers until they stand firm." When these three work together, the church will expand globally as a united body, reminiscent of the early church.
Building upon this, Pastor David Jang offers a final word of encouragement: "As our community enters a new phase beyond its 30th anniversary and grasps a bigger mission, we will witness an even mightier outpouring of the Holy Spirit." He then mentions that the gospel seeds are already sprouting in many of the 161 countries (or more) where people are ministering. If all those laborers there keep adhering to these principles from Acts-supporting and helping each other-the church will not be divided but will instead become ever more powerful. The story of Thessalonica in Acts 17 ultimately demonstrates "that the Lord continues to work and that the gospel triumphs even in adversity." And this conviction, he says, remains our driving force and courage to move forward.
