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.