Proclaim the True Gospel Against Any Unknown Gods
Scripture Passage: Acts 17:22-34 (NASB)
22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything that is in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might feel around for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His descendants.’ 29 Therefore, since we are the descendants of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and thought. 30 So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent, 31 because He has set a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all people by raising Him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, “We shall hear from you again concerning this.” 33 So Paul went out from among them. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
SUMMARY
Paul arrives in Athens and gives the Gospel message to the people of Athens. Athens was a place where people were so deep into worshipping gods they created on their own and unknown gods. It was a "religious" town of people who were ignorant of their own gods and behaviors. When Paul starts his preaching, he does not start out by condemning them, but uses the proper and logical, but persuasive way, to deliver the strong message of the Gospel. His bold preaching changes some people who heard the message.
MEDITATION AND REFLECTION
I found that Paul only gave two evangelical preaching exclusively to Gentiles in the book of Acts and this passage is one of them to people of Athens in Greece. (the other one was at Lystra in Acts 14:15-17). The people in Athens were sophisticated in creating and worshipping their version of many unknown gods. The way Paul reached out to this type of Gentiles is very thoughtful and strategic. It seems that Paul knew the way to approach them. He scolds them, but he does it so gently by starting out the men of Athen are religious in all respects.
The four main points Paul laid out to them are
1) our God is the Creator v.24
2) therefore He is the rightful ruler - does not dwell in the temples made by hands v.24
3) He is the giver v.25
4) He is the controller v.26
5)He is the revealer v.27-29
(https://www.gty.org/library/articles/A177/how-to-confront-the-culture)
Paul's method of preaching to these specific people is so tactful and flawless. He must have prayed to God for wisdom in order to evangelize specifically to these people, and he must have studied them. He was prepared and he was bold.
APPLICATION
I am so lacking in every way. When it comes to evangelism, I am timid. But reading how Paul approached the sophisticated people in Athens and boldly proclaimed the Gospel, I am so proud to be a follower of Jesus Christ. It gives me hope that in Christ, I may be bold and let the Spirit dwelling in me help me become a bold person. I also want to do my part on my end, to prepare to be a Christ-follower.
PRAYER
God, may I not feel that I am alone, but always remind me that you and your Spirit are with me wherever I go. I ask for courage and boldness. Thank you for choosing me even though I am weak. Amen.
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