THEY TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE-DOWN

Early Christians were looked upon suspiciously, and were called different names, by the Jews and the Gentiles, alike. In Acts 17:6, we find a very interesting comment, made about the early Christians in Thessalonica. It is certainly not intended to be a polite compliment, buy rather, a complaint and a lies infested criticism of early Christians, by the rabble rousing Jews.
– “6…”These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” – Acts 17:6

A fuller text of the same, for our grasp of the context, and the depth of the hate for early Christians, is necessary, to understand the seriousness of the harm intended – Acts 17:4-8.
– “4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” 8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.” – Acts 17:4-8

The early Christians were accused by Jews that, the Christians have brought, nothing but chaos, disorder, and disharmony in the society, cities and the kingdom, by their preaching. Therefore, the early Christians were accused as rebels and dissenters.

The hate of Jews for Christians is obvious to anyone, who reads the Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles. This is not anti-Semitism, by any measure of imagination, as is being thrown around these days, just like how the accusations were weaponised by Jews, in Acts 17:6. Nothing else can be expected from anyone who hates Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The same is with the world. Christ hating people, whether a Jew or a Gentile, have their allegiance to Satan, and certainly not YAHWEH, the God of all creation. Therefore, the hate of Lucifer is birthed, bred in them, and broadcasted through them, with all the ferocity of the hell.

When we look at such accusations, with pure and unprejudiced hearts and minds, we see the LORD’s working in the world. The accusations of the enemies of God, though with hate, speak volumes about the transformative work of the gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ of Nazareth, transforming people, societies, cities and kingdoms.
– “The phrase “turned the world upside down” reflects the transformative impact of the Gospel message. The accusation suggests that the teachings of Paul and Silas were seen as revolutionary, challenging the established social and religious norms. This echoes the transformative nature of the Gospel as described in Romans 1:16, where it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” – Berean Study Bible Notes
– “…the apostles, according to the cry of these men, had thrown the whole world into disorder, and had made disturbances in kingdoms and cities, wherever they came; and had made innovations in religion, and turned men from their old way of worship to another; these; say they, are come hither also; to make the like disorders and disturbances, as elsewhere.” – Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

Let us look at four, true incidents, from the Church history, that happened on this day, the 17 August down through the centuries. These four recorded historical incidents, demonstrate the power of the Redeemer, in turning simple and ordinary people into instruments of transformation, and their impact on their surrounds.

– TWO THOUSAND NONCONFORMIST PASTORS – 17 August 1662
Two thousand Nonconformist pastors preach farewell sermons to their congregations in England, having been expelled from their pulpits by law. The Great Ejection of 1662, significantly shaped English religious and political landscape. Various groups like Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, and Quakers, each with their own theological and organizational structures, were birthed and prospered.

– WILLIAM CAREY – 17 August 1761
Birth of William Carey, the pioneer English missionary, who came to India, in 1793. His contributions are multifaceted, encompassing missionary work, translation, education, and social reform. He establishment the Serampore College, which had a lasting impact on education and theological training. He taught at the newly founded Fort William College of Calcutta from 1801 until his death in 1834, and helped found the Serampore Press, which made the Bible accessible to over 300 million people.

– JOHN NEWTON – 17 August 1775
Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: ‘It is no great matter where we are, provided we see that the Lord has placed us there, and that He is with us.’ He was a significant figure in the Evangelical revival in England, transitioning from a slave trader to an ordained Anglican clergyman, through his influential writings, and his role in the abolitionist movement. Who can forget his “Amazing Grace” the hymn, which we sing, even today?

– VEDANAYAGAM SAMUEL AZARIAH – 17 August 1874
Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah was born on this day, 17 August 1874 in Vellalanvilai, Tirunelvelli, South India. Azariah found two successful missionary societies to bring the gospel to Indians. He is the first Indian Bishop of Anglican Church. His first posting as the bishop, to the Dornakal Diocese, in Telangana, India, had a tremendous impact. Prior to Azariah’s arrival, Dornakal was an impoverished diocese, numbering eight thousand Christians, six Indian ministers, and one hundred and seventy two laymen co-workers. By his death on 1 January 1945, Dornakal had one hundred and fifty ministers, and two hundred and thirty thousand Christians.

“THEY TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE-DOWN” for sure. They poured their heart and soul into the work that our LORD had entrusted them. What about us, dear brothers and sisters? Are we, as we pass through this life, being beggars, begging for blessings from the Almighty God, for ourselves and for our family’s welfare? Or, are we living the life we are called to, as a child of the Most High God, and serving His interests, and the interests of the kingdom of God? What kind of impact are we having on the “world” around us. Do people accuse us, “Here comes the person, who ‘TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE-DOWN?'” Living a radical Christian life, following in the footsteps of the LORD Jesus, is what we are called to. Are we walking for the LORD, or for ourselves? Let us earnestly seek, the LORD’s help, to walk as He had walked, all through our lives, and “TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE-DOWN.” Even so, the LORD help us.