Ministry in Thessalonica

Paul and his companions left Philippi in triumph; the Spirit had prevailed to glorify Christ and raise up a fledgling Christian community in this Roman provincial city. Reflecting the diverse Gentile world, the Philippian church was a truly cosmopolitan community founded on three very different Gentile individuals. The gospel triumphed gloriously at Philippi, but in a way that was intimately wed to suffering. This wasn't an anomaly, but is the consistent pattern of the gospel's work in every place and generation. So the hostile opposition that awaited the team in Thessalonica would cause them to flee in the dark of night, only to find it pursuing them to the next town.