Acts 17:16-31
Paul found himself in Athens and as usual he had discussions with the Jews and philosophers of the area. He never looked back at the trouble, but ahead to the new group to preach the gospel of Christ. This time in Athens, the people had nothing better to do than talk of the ‘cutting edge’ ideas of the day or listen to new ideas. They were intrigued by Paul because he came with new ideas.
They also had tried to cover their religious bases with alters to all of the gods they knew and there was one there to an unknown god. Paul saw this and began there with his preaching to the Athenians. Paul was speaking to the Epicureans who believed that everything happened by chance, that death was the end of everything, that the gods were remote from everything of the world and did not care, and that the purpose of life of the pursuit of pleasure. They did not want material pleasure because, to them, pleasure could only be in situations where there was no pain.
The Stoics believed that everything was God. They felt that God was a fiery spirit that became dull in matter so that everything has a piece of God in it. They believed that everything that happened was the will of God so everything should be accepted without resentment. They believed that the world disintegrated and regenerates to go through the same cycle of events again.
The people took Paul to the Areopogus to share his ideas. So, he was in the most learned city in the world in front of the most exclusive court in the world. The court had about thirty and they did talk through and handle moral dilemmas as well as acting as a legal court. To Paul, this was just another God-given opportunity to share God’s word as a witness for Christ.
Paul had a six-point sermon for at the Areopogus.
1. God is the maker and not made by human hands referring to the alter to the unknown god.
2. God has guided history through time. He has caused the rise and fall of nation since the beginning of time.
3. God has made man in such a way that they long for and seek God in the darkness.
4. The days of feeling our way through and ignorance are passed. Searching in the darkness has been accomplished.
5. The day of judgment is coming. Life is not progressing to extinction as the epicureans believed. Everything is not absorbed back to God as the Stoics believed. Life is a journey to the judgment seat of God where Jesus Christ is the judge.
6. The proof of the absolute power is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is no unknown god but a risen Christ with whom we have to deal. Remember Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.
Acts 17:32-34
The Athenians Respond
The Athenians had enough pretty quickly especially when they heard about the resurrection of dead men. So typical of the Athenians was that they wanted to handle the intellect of the situation, but they don’t want to follow through with action. It seems that Paul had less success in Athens than in other areas he had preached, but some still believed. It was worth his effort. The Spirit had a purpose for leading Paul to Athens.
Paul had to deal with three main responses: 1) Some Athenians mocked him. They were amused at the apparent passion and earnestness of this Jew. He was merely entertainment to them. Making light of life in this instance will certainly end in tragedy. 2) Some put off their decision in procrastination. We will hear you at a later time. Procrastination is dangerous because once you decide to put off a decision; you so often have made your decision to ignore. 3) Some of the Athenians accepted the message and embraced it. Foolish men reject an offer coming from God.
There were two men named as accepting Christ. The position of women in Athens was very restricted. It is very unlikely that a respectable woman would have been in the market square at all. It is telling that she was moved to turn away from the shame that was her life. Once again the message of God cuts across all social and economic lines.
Next, Paul heads to Corinth
Have a Great Week!
Brad
