By Robert Olsen, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
BELIEVE
Acts 17:22–34
Recognize God’s Sovereignty (22–26)
Paul was sent ahead of his companions to Athens where he was to wait for them. While there, Paul observed the behavior of the locals and noticed that the Athenians loved to discuss the latest ideas. Because Paul was telling people the gospel in Athens, he was invited to go speak at the Areopagus, a location where discussions, councils and trials took place.
Paul took advantage of his circumstances to recognize that the Athenians were a spiritual people. They had idols to many gods, including one idol to an unknown god in an attempt to not offend one they may have forgotten. Paul used this particular idol to explain to his audience who this “unknown god” is — the One true God of the universe.
Paul shows us a great example of the importance of understanding different cultures. When we share the gospel we need to take stock of the beliefs of the audience. What areas in their lives can we use as tools to point them to Christ?
Know Him (27–29)
In his explanation, Paul showed how the God of the Hebrews created all people. He doesn’t need an idol made by the hands of people because He is the one who created people, and this God has made Himself known! Paul begins to explain to the Athenians how this God is evident because He created people and marked out their appointed times. Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall according to God’s plan. Paul even cites two Greek poets who refer to Zeus and uses them to point to the Christian God.
Paul points out that just by looking at evidence from creation, we can deduce that there is a God. Notice how Paul uses general revelation instead of the Bible in his discussion because these philosophers do not know the Hebrew Scriptures. When Paul reasons with Jews, he always uses Scripture because they believe the Scriptures already.
This is a great lesson for us as we share the gospel with others. For some who already believe the Bible but may not be saved, we use the Bible to explain the gospel. However, if we encounter someone who does not believe the Bible, we have to first argue that there is a God before moving to how we know this God from Scripture. This is seen throughout history in missions work.
Repent and Believe (30–34)
By knowing his audience and understanding his circumstances, Paul was able to tell these philosophers that this God of the universe who created all things calls on everyone to repent because judgment is coming, and we know this because of the resurrection of Jesus. Some Athenians rejected the message, but others wanted to hear more and eventually became believers.
We see from this interaction that when the gospel is preached, there will likely be some who mock it and refuse to believe it, but we should not lose heart. In spite of some opposition, several became Christians. Even in periods when the mockery turns to persecution, as in the case of Stephen, the gospel still spreads.
Christians have always been willing to preach the gospel in difficult circumstances. Jim Elliot lost his life trying to get the gospel to the Waorani tribe in South America and even though he and his friends lost their lives, many in that tribe eventually became Christians. Christ sacrificed Himself for us, and we need to be willing to be persecuted on His behalf.
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