Paul in Athens

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 17:16-34

 

Acts 17:22-23

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; ²³ for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.

(NKJV)

 

The Apostle Paul was once the greatest persecutor of the church, even holding the coats of those stoning Stephen (Acts 7:57-58). However, on the road to Damascus, Saul, who would later be called Paul, had a supernatural encounter with Jesus that changed him from the greatest persecutor of the church to its greatest proponent (Acts 9:1-9). The zeal Saul once had to persecute disciples of Christ is now replaced with a zeal to share Christ wherever he goes, something on display in Athens in this text.

 

Paul is waiting for the arrival of Silas and Timothy in Athens and while there he observes the city is given over to the worship of idols (Acts 17:16). As was his normal custom, Paul goes to the synagogue, reasoning with the Jews and Gentile worshippers there along with those in the marketplace daily (Acts 17:17). It is there that Paul encounters certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, some of which want to know what Paul is babbling about, and others claiming he proclaims foreign gods since he preached about Jesus and the resurrection (Acts 17:18). They then brought Paul to the Areopagus, asking to know more about the new doctrine of which he spoke, because what they were hearing was strange to them, with them wanting to know what those things meant (Acts 17:19-20). All the Athenians and the foreigners with them spent their time wanting to hear some new thing (Acts 17:21).

 

Paul is then brought to the Areopagus and has an opportunity to address the men of Athens there, beginning with telling them they seem to be very religious, having seen their many temples, including one to the unknown god (Acts 17:22-23). Paul begins by telling them that the God he proclaims is the creator of all that is in the world and as Lord of heaven and earth does not dwell in temples made with the hands of men (Acts 17:24). The God Paul serves also does not need to be worshipped by the hands of men since He gives life, breath, and provision for all (Acts 17:25). The God Paul worships has made men dwelling on the face of the earth from one blood, determining their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings (Acts 17:26). Since God is the provider of life for all, He wants all to seek him, telling them God is not far from any of us (Acts 17:27-28). Paul then reasons with them, asking: if we are all offspring of God, why would we believe God can be confined by something of gold and silver, fashioned by the hands of men (Acts 17:29)?

 

Paul then tells them that God formerly overlooked their ignorance but now commands all men to repent (Acts 17:30). He continues by telling them that there is an appointed time when God will judge the world in righteousness by the Man, Jesus, whom He ordained, confirming it by raising Him from the dead (Acts 17:31). This mention of the resurrection caused some to mock Paul, with others wanting to hear more (Acts 17:32) Paul then departed from them with some, including Dionysius and Damaris, along with others following him (Acts 17:33-34).

 

Paul is waiting in Athens for Silas and Timothy, and observes the Athenians worship many gods, including an unknown God. Paul, who knows the unknown God as Jesus, his Savior, takes this opportunity to share Christ with men who spend their time searching for some new doctrine. When these men invite Paul to the Areopagus or Mars Hill, he does not hesitate but goes along with them. As Paul would later tell Timothy, he is ready in season, like when he is addressing people in the synagogue, and out of season, like when addressing men gathered at a temple to a foreign god (2 Timothy 4:2). Paul is eager to share Christ, even though some will mock and rebuke him, knowing some will accept Christ.

 

People who do not know Jesus as their personal Savior have a God-shaped void in their hearts. They attempt to fill this void with idols of this world like alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, and even good things like hard work, career, education, and even religion. The question each of us who are disciples of Christ must ask is: Will we be ready to share Christ when someone wants to hear the doctrine we believe? Jesus does not want anyone to perish without knowing Him as their savior (2 Peter 3:9), but will we engage and share the gospel, not fearing being mocked or ridiculed? I pray the answer to both questions is yes. If it is not, I invite you to search your heart to determine what is holding you back and repent of it. I want to invite anyone reading this who has a God-shaped hole in his or her heart to pray with me and have God fill the void.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead, and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer, but it must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.