Why does the gospel stir up so much trouble?

In Acts 17:1-15, the message of Jesus turns whole cities upside down. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains why the good news unsettles the world — and why that is exactly what it is meant to do.

In Thessalonica, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures for three Sabbaths that Jesus is the promised Christ who had to die and rise. Some believed, but jealous opponents stirred up a mob and dragged Paul’s host before the rulers, accusing the missionaries of defying Caesar by proclaiming “another king — Jesus.” Dr. Holt points out that the real opposition is spiritual, not just human. He then contrasts the angry crowd with the people of Berea, who were “fair-minded” and searched the Scriptures every day to test what Paul taught — a model for every Christian.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why did the gospel cause such an uproar? Because it announces “another king, Jesus,” and challenges the world’s idols and power. A message that calls for full allegiance to Christ will always unsettle the way things are.

2. What was the real source of the opposition? Dr. Holt points beyond the angry crowd to a spiritual enemy. The struggle over the gospel is ultimately not against people but against spiritual darkness.

3. What made the Bereans different? Rather than reacting with anger, the Bereans listened and searched the Scriptures daily to see whether Paul’s teaching was true. They show us how to test everything by God’s Word.

“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” — Acts 17:6 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Acts Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

Is Jesus really the only way to be saved?

In Acts 4:1-13, Peter stands before the rulers who killed Jesus and makes a bold claim: there is salvation in no one else. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt explains why the name of Jesus is the one name that saves.

After Peter and John healed a lame man and preached the resurrection, the authorities arrested them — but thousands believed. Hauled before the council and asked by what power they had acted, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, pointed to “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” Then he declared that there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Dr. Holt explains that this exclusive claim was offensive then and now, but it is the heart of the gospel: salvation is found in Christ alone.

Questions this study answers:

1. Does the Bible really teach Jesus is the only way? Yes. Peter says plainly that there is salvation in no one else, “for there is no other name under heaven ... by which we must be saved.” The New Testament repeats this truth elsewhere.

2. Why was this so offensive to Peter’s audience? The rulers had rejected and crucified Jesus, yet Peter told them this same Jesus was their only hope. The claim challenged their power and their pride.

3. What does this mean for other religions today? It means salvation is not one option among many. Christianity claims Jesus is the only Savior, which is why the message both draws people and provokes opposition.

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Acts Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.

Does God pursue the outsider?

Yes. In Acts 8:26-40, God sends Philip into the desert to reach one searching foreigner — an Ethiopian official. In this study, Dr. Toby Holt shows how far God will go to save the people the world overlooks.

On a lonely desert road, Philip meets an Ethiopian official riding home, reading aloud from Isaiah 53 but unable to understand it. Philip climbs into the chariot and, starting from that very passage about the suffering servant, “preached Jesus to him.” The man believes and is baptized on the spot. Dr. Holt highlights the string of God-arranged appointments that brought them together, and reminds us that we all once started like the eunuch — lost and searching — and are now called to be like Philip, ready to point others to Christ.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why does God care for outsiders and rebels? Because His salvation reaches beyond Israel to people of every nation and background. Here He pursues a foreigner most would overlook, showing the wideness of His grace.

2. What was the Ethiopian reading? He was reading Isaiah 53, the passage about the suffering servant, without understanding who it described. Philip showed him it pointed to Jesus.

3. What hope does Acts 8 give for the lost people in our lives? It reminds us that God arranges “divine appointments” and uses ordinary believers to reach searching hearts. We were once like the eunuch; now we can be like Philip.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” — Acts 8:35 (NKJV)

Speaker: Dr. Toby Holt is the President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, a Reformed seminary in Colorado Springs. He is known for clear, down-to-earth Bible teaching, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio.

Listen and go deeper: This sermon is part of the Acts Explained study from New Geneva Theological Seminary. Find more verse-by-verse teaching across the Bible at newgeneva.org. To support this teaching ministry, visit newgeneva.org/give.