Bible Studies for Life By Jeffery M. Leonard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Religion, Samford University
Unstoppable Impact
Acts 17:16–18, 22–23, 30–31
The introduction to the Gospel of Luke, the first volume of the Luke-Acts series, suggests Luke was writing to correct some misconceptions that had developed concerning the movement we now know as Christianity. Luke’s use of the title “most excellent” suggests he was writing to a Roman official (see Acts 23:26; 24:3; 26:25) who needed to know “the truth concerning the things about which you have been informed” (Luke 1:4).
As Christianity began to move into the wider Roman world, it could hardly help but stir up trouble. When Paul spoke in Jewish synagogues, many embraced his message. Others though found his message to be blasphemous and sought to run him out of town or worse. When it came to Gentiles, some accepted Paul’s messages, but some were on the verge of starting riots over his preaching (Acts 19). Luke apparently wrote to Theophilus to assure him that these “Christ followers” were no threat to Rome. They were a peaceful sect of Judaism, followers of a religious leader named Jesus and obedient in every respect to their Roman rulers.
But, of course, this was only partly true. While this new movement was indeed stocked with followers of Jesus who were peaceful and submissive to a fault, their message would ultimately strike an absolutely mortal blow to the gods of Rome. Within three centuries the very emperor of Rome would declare himself a Christian.
Engage the culture around
you. (16–18)
What could have led to such a radical transformation? Well, it began with the early Christians’ determination to reach out to the Gentile world around them. Having escaped from several close calls in Thessalonica and Berea, the apostle Paul found himself in the important city of Athens. Though Athens was rightly famous as a center of learning and erudition, as Paul walked around the city, he was more troubled by its idolatry than impressed by its wisdom. Never one to back down from a challenge, Paul began to preach the message of Jesus each day in both synagogue and marketplace.
Find a common ground
for introducing the gospel. (22–23)
Paul’s preaching in the marketplace led to his being led up to the Areopagus itself, the place where all the talking heads of the day would ply their trade. Paul’s first step was to find some common ground with his audience. Having seen all their idols, Paul commended the Athenians for being a religious people. His message would be different from what they had heard before though. Having seen an idol to an unknown god, Paul declared, “What you worship as unknown, this I will proclaim to you.”
Help others understand the truth
of the gospel. (30–31)
The beginning of Paul’s message to the Athenians was one they must have found fascinating: God made heaven and earth and He made human beings. Surely that sort of deity could not be confined to a house or an idol made by human hands. The end of his message though was bound to elicit a negative response. Not content to while away the time with philosophical reflections on the nature of God, Paul quickly moved to the heart of his message: repentance. God had overlooked the times of ignorance from humanity’s past. But now a new era had been heralded by the arrival of God’s Son in human flesh. Having sent His Son as the last act of His plan for humanity’s salvation, the time to make a choice had arrived. As Paul and those who followed in his footsteps continued to press this message, the very world itself was changed.
Share with others: