As the earliest Christians began to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the region, their doctrine was sometimes received with joy, sometimes with hostility, and some were frankly just curious about this "new" thing happening in their midst. It gave them something to talk about.
Paul and Barnabas were directed by the Holy Spirit to go into certain cities and share their message. In one place, a government official wanted to know more, so he asked them to visit and explain. This was resisted by a demon-possessed man who apparently worked for the deputy. Those early preachers of the gospel were gifted with certain abilities to discern and certain methods to handle those who interfered.
Acts 13:5-11 KJV And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
Acts 13:12 - Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
Get the scoffers and distractions out of the way, and the Word of God will do its work. The temporary miraculous gifts were used to bring attention to the doctrine, and the doctrine got the credit.
The ministry team moved on to other cities with their message of Jesus, and met with similar reception; some were interested and some were not. In Thessalonica, many of the people believed, but the unbelieving Jews hated Paul and his company of preachers. They hated the grace he was teaching. They created a ruckus, dragging out a group who had befriended the preachers, accusing them of "turning the world upside down," by doing contrary to Caesar and offering another King, and "now they have come here also." Paul and Silas went by night to Berea, and there they taught in the synagogue, as was their practice.
The mob followed the team to Berea, intent on the same harassment. Because of the relentless aggression, Paul moved on to Athens and awaited Timothy and Silas, who had become separated from him in the melee.
Acts 17:16-20 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
Yes. we, who love God's perfect Word of Truth about God's perfect Plan of Grace will never tire of learning what all these things mean.
That's the purpose of teaching and studying Bible doctrine.
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