Good morning,
This series began with the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus then appears for forty days to the apostles, disciples, and many other people. During this time, He is training, encouraging, and telling them what happens next. Just prior to His ascension, He announces the promise of the Father to baptize them with the Holy Ghost. Jesus then ascends back to heaven and seven days later, they are baptized with the Holy Ghost.
What happens next is amazing! One hundred twenty believers began speaking in languages they were never taught. People heard the gospel in their own native language. Then Peter stands up to preach. The result 3,000 were saved and baptized. Later Stephan, one of the first deacons, testifies of Christ and is stoned to death.
This week, Saul, hater of the believers in Christ, encounters Jesus and it changes his life forever.
2) SAUL’S PREACHING ON MARS HILL (Acts 17:16-34)
A. PAUL DISPUTES WITH THE ATHENIEN’S (16-21)
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.17 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.18 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. 19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) 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.
B. The Unknown God (22-23)
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
When Paul sees the idolatry of Athens, he disputes in the synagogue, with devout men, and in the market place. His desire was that all the people had the opportunity to hear the gospel.
His witness intrigued the philosophers of the Epicureans and the Stoics to the point they wanted to hear more.
He then centers his remarks on the altar to the Unknown God. We will find out what he said tomorrow.
Paul has taken the boldness for persecuting Christians and turned it into boldness for preaching about Christ. He goes to whoever will listen. To the Jews first and then unto the gentiles.
Who do we take the gospel to?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 1-907-715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
Leave a Reply