The Apostle Paul’s travelogue & evangelism journey continues. Let’s envision that we are accompanying Paul and not just reading about him. And ask the Holy Spirit to inspire us to see His message in the Words as we accompany Paul on his travels.
Remnants of the ancient pagan world still exist throughout the region, especially pagan temples. Those gods no longer exist, nor is their memory part of the culture. But, this is the world and religions Paul uncounted in his travels, when those temples stood in their full radiance.
What many of those pagan temples looked like in the time of Acts, also today’s remnants. From glory to obscurity and tourist attraction.
Chap. 16 closed with Paul and Silas leaving Philippi. In Chap. 17 they continue their journey. The city of Apollonia was named after the Greek god Apollo. Paul’s custom when visiting cities with a Jewish presence was to profess the Gospel in the local synagogue, that Jesus was the Christ the promised Messiah as proclaimed in the O.T. prophesies.
Amphipolis, their next stopover, was a port city 30 miles SW of Phillippi. Romans captured and incorporated the region of Macedonia in 168 BC. Image shows the ruggedness of the coastline and terrain Paul and his companions had to travel through. Mt. Pangaion, as noted, is an elevation of 1,956 ft.
Paul’s efforts professing the Gospel in local synagogue that Jesus was the Christ, the awaited Messiah convinced a number of those Jews who Jesus was. Gospel of grace also struck a cord with the God-fearing Gentiles; perhaps those who had accepted Judaism, including some prominent (upper class) women—”not a few” meaning not just a couple, but a notable number.
The Jews in Thessalonica were jealous with rage that Paul was winning converts. Why were those Jews so outraged? If Jesus was worshipped, they would lose their authority and influence over the Jews and Gentile-converts. People in power, will do anything to stay in power, even those serving in government, perhaps even more so; just look at the world around us.
Paul remembered their hardships in his letters to the Thessalonian church. Jason was a devout Christian who faced persecution for his faith, but persevered. Post bond, a financial fee to ensure they wouldn’t leave the city. There is no other mention of Jason in the N.T., except briefly in Romans 16:21.
They (most likely including Jason) hid Paul and Silas, and that evening sent them to Berea (v.10) about 50 miles away. The Bereans were more receptive to Paul’s claims about Christ as Messiah and searched the Scriptures to see if his claims were in accordance with Old Testament prophecy. V.12 tells us that many of them believed and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The Thessalonica Jews were angry enough to pursuit Paul and Silas to Berea. Those in Berea who believed Paul, escorted him to Athens by ship for safety. Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea, and would follow Paul later, since he was the real target of Jewish rage.
V.16 indicates that Paul was alone in Athens, a city full of pagan gods. Yet, he went to the synagogue alone to profess Christ to the Jews. He even roamed the marketplace professing Christ to whoever would listen.
What Paul would have seen while in Athens. It was the leading city of Greece and Greek culture. It was conquered by the Romans in 146 BC but retained its Greek culture and sophistication, some of which were even emulated by Rome itself.
Any time Jesus is professed as Savior to hardhearted & unrepentant sinners, they rebel rather than ignore it. It raises the question once again, “Why do some rebel and others believe?” It is as true today as it was then. Without the Holy Spirit, men’s hearts are as hard as stone. How does the Holy Spirit change sinner’s hearts? Perhaps another study—so stay tuned.
Areopagus Hill (aka Mars Hill) was a meeting place for intellectual and philosophical interest, located on a prominent rock outcropping on the northwest side of the Acropolis in Athens.
Paul brought the Gospel message within their frame of reference “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD”, that they could relate to. He did not speak to them as Jews that had a knowledge of O.T. prophesies or Hebrew history. Certainly a lesson for us in sharing the Good News of the Gospel, “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
Did these intellectual philosophers think about creation itself or only of their array of gods? What did they hope to gain from their gods? These verses offer a great deal of food for thought. V.26 is a direct affront to evolution. The one man noted is Adam from whom the entire human race descended. It also highlights God’s sovereignty over all things, including life and death, and even where and when we were born. Food for thought? I think so. What is God's purpose for your life?
Map identifies Noah’s sons noted by the 3 red stars. The spread of mankind after Noah including the people Paul addressed in Acts 17:26. Map shows tribes associated with each of Noah’s sons identified by the color. I won’t go there because it gets pretty complex and timely. Mostly I wanted to show that Asia Minor of Paul’s time encompassed descendants of all three sons. Just as all mankind descended from Adam, all mankind also descended from Noah and his sons. In other words, God created one human race, regardless of ethnicity or color.
God is not a puppet master nor is He just an observer of mankind. He gave us free will, but God still determines consequences for our actions both good and evil, though He is not the author of evil—man is via sin. In other words, as stated in v.28, in God we live and move and have our being. How does God determine consequences? It would take a study in and of itself to delve into it. As members of the human race, we are also subject to the consequence of sin and the Fall, beginning with Adam. We live in a fallen world with all its consequences.
Paul is saying that God brought all men into existence, and they only exist by His will. What does Paul mean that God overlooked such ignorance in the past—but not anymore? In v.30 he is telling them that man’s idolatry was overlooked in times of ignorance, because they had no basis for knowing Him, but that has changed with Paul’s message regarding Jesus Christ. It seems to imply that they will be found less culpable in the final judgment. But the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof of who He is; proof for the Jews and the Gentiles—the time of ignorance as an excuse is now behind them.
Remnants of the Areopagus Hill, aka Mars Hill.
As noted by Paul, the history of man, as noted in the Old Testament, can be traced from Adam to Noah and his three sons, and their descendants.
That Jesus is risen is intended for both Jew and Gentile. Perhaps the word of Jesus' resurrection didn’t reach the Greeks in Athens. But, not everyone rejected Paul’s message. Dionysius was a judge at the court of Areopagus.
We would share Christ with an atheist differently than with a human secularist or marginal Christian.
Paul explains further in his letter to the Romans. Maybe Paul’s experience in Athens highlighted this reality that God has revealed Himself, but man has chosen to ignore it and are now “without excuse”.
Map shows the extent of Paul’s travels across its European leg, down through Macedonia and Achaia—what is now Greece. A journey that included travel by both land and sea as they made their way to Athens and Corinth before returning to Roman Asia.
Jewish rage under the guise of religious righteousness. Also, you can’t question or criticize another’s religion without stirring their rage or anger, especially with the truth that the only road to God is through His Son, Jesus Christ, nor are all religions equal before God, regardless of their intent.
This blog was created on 3/22/20 in response to the COVID-19 lockdown, in lieu of totally shutting down our Sunday Foundations classes in Heritage Lounge. The topics vary as noted on the slide. They can be accessed via the blog archive in upper right hand corner. Just click on the dates as noted.
Set aside a moment of prayer for our Pastor, his family, and our church, that we may grow in His Spirit and touch those around us with His Word and God’s grace.
There comes a time, when it’s time to come home to worship together in fellowship. There are two active Adult Foundation classes at 9:00 A.M., one in Heritage Lounge (adjacent to school), and one in the “Multi-Purpose Room” (adjacent to the sanctuary). Sunday Worship is at 10:15 A.M. Hope to see you there.
End of
The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 17
