Acts 17:22-34 Paul Addresses the Areopagus

The Areopagus, also known as Mars Hill - some churches use this name, used to be the place on top of a hill where the ruling council of Athens would meet. It was some sort of a council and court where murder cases were dealt with. This council used to be comprised of the wealthy and powerful who became ruling elders of the city. It was also the place for philosophical discussions among the learned. Paul uses the Areopagus as his platform to speak to the Athenians about the "unknown god" for whom they had erected an altar. Paul uses something of their culture to make contact with the people and bring the message of the Gospel to them. This is simply brilliant! What points of connection can I find in my culture to bring the message of the Gospel to this generation?

Paul presents God as the Creator of all things who does not inhabit man-made altars or needs anything from human beings. Quite the contrary, it is God who provides all that human beings need. Mankind has been created to seek God who is very accessible because he is near, making everything possible by the power of his sustenance. It is not possible to capture the essence of God with gold, silver, or stone through artistic representations of our imagination. We must repent from doing so and surrender to our God who will call us to accountability one day through a man he appointed for this purpose: Jesus Christ, the God-man, who died and resurrected.

Unfortunately, the resurrection posed a big problem for the Athenians. Epicureans thought that body and  soul were just a collection of atoms that would be dispersed at death. Stoics believed that the body becomes earth and the soul goes back to a central fire. The thought of the preservation of the soul and the resurrection of the body were totally foreign to them. In a materialistic world, even today, do I truly believe in the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body? These are basic and central beliefs for Christianity. Do I truly believe?

Paul's message had some converts. Among them is a woman named Damaris. When Ana and I had our first girl, we named her Damaris because of two reasons. One of the meanings of Damaris is "gentle." After having a boy who screamed our heads off and deprived us of sleep for at least two years, we had this quiet, delicate, and gentle baby who slept through the night and was so mild in temperament. The other reason, we named her Damaris was because she became one of the first believers in Athens. Looking forward into her life, we wanted God to touch our girl just like he did with that Greek woman that brought her to the feet of our Lord in belief. I am very proud to say that today, our Damaris is a gentle, yet strong woman of faith serving her King.

Father, teach me to find points of contact with our culture to bring the Gospel to our generation. Help me avoid idolatry and center on who you really are according to your revelation. Encourage my heart with the truths of the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body. Thank you for our daughter Damaris. Bless her and keep her in your hand forevermore. Amen.

Acts 17:10-21 Paul and Silas in Berea and Athens

Paul and Silas escaped the mob in Thessalonica moving into Berea. Unfortunately, it was not far enough. The Thessalonians pursued Paul into Berea forcing him to leave. He was taken all the way to Athens. Interestingly enough, Silas and Timothy remain in Berea without Paul. Since Paul was the main teacher of the team, he was the target of the persecution and not so much the others. Preaching and teaching the Word of God has a cost. At times, people will not like me for it. Am I willing to remain faithful to the calling? Am I willing to pay the cost?

The Jews in Berea were "more noble" than the Jews in Thessalonica. This speaks of the character of the people differing from place to place. It is also tied in with the levels of receptivity to the Word of God. The Bereans received the word with all eagerness. There was a hunger for the Scriptures. This eagerness moved the Bereans not only to listen to the word, but to examine the Scriptures daily. They took upon themselves to check everything that Paul was teaching making sure they were indeed written. What a display of eagerness to learn! I want to be as eager as the Bereans to examine God's Word daily.

While Paul waits in Athens for Silas and Timothy, he was "provoked within him" when he saw the idolatry in the city. After all that had happened, he probably wanted to lay low and cool it off, but he could not do so. The sinful condition of the people moved him to continue to preach the Gospel in the synagogue and the marketplace. Do I have this passion for unbelievers? Am I moved within to share the Gospel with those who have not heard? This provocation within is definitely part of the kingdom of God. I desire that fire within.

Athens was not without philosophies of its own. The Epicureans believed that happiness was the pursuit of modest pleasures to achieve tranquility and freedom from fear. The highest pleasure was achieved by knowledge, friendship, and a temperate lifestyle. Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means to overcoming destructive emotions despite of the circumstances. But the Gospel stands against these philosophies. Happiness is in the pursuit of God and dependence upon him. Life is in receiving and believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Virtue is in following the teachings of Christ in this world.

Father, teach me to be faithful to the calling to preach the Gospel. Make me eager for your Word every day. Grant me a passion for those who are lost and fill me with your Spirit to follow your commands. Amen.