Memorize: Gospel presentation in Athens
Key Verses: 2-3, 7, 11, 20, 21, 27, 32
The central message stays the same over time and Paul continues to start in the synagogues. As these Jews listen, some refuse to believe and find an excuse to accuse Paul and his companions of treason, that Jesus is a king. To save his life, they send Paul away to safety.
Paul ends up in Berea, a place that spent time examining the Scriptures. When time is spent in the Scriptures, this leads to belief. If we examine the Scriptures, this will lead to our deeper belief as well. That is because the words of Scripture are God’s Word, not human words. They will change our life. The Berean people were steeped in the Scriptures, but the Athenians were steeped in the philosophies of that day. Paul preaches to each in a way that could reach his hearers. Coming first to the Atheneans from the Scriptures would not help them bridge the gap. Paul used an illustration to do that. He talked about their ‘unknown god’ inscription and moved right from there to message of hope. He left out the names and places that Jews would identify with, but the content is still the same.
It is easy getting sucked always exploring new ideas. The internet makes wasting hours ‘learning’ new things an easy task. I am all about knowledge, but knowledge for knowledge sake is nothing but pride and vanity. Knowledge must serve an eternal purpose. Paul introduces the LORD to these people as Creator, self-sustaining provider, starter of the human race, and designer of history. Paul’s purpose was that they would seek Him and find Him. The reason the LORD deals with humankind at all is that He might make something out of the mess we ourselves are making.
And as the story goes, the resurrection is still a stumbling block. If Jesus were a good moral teacher, that would be OK. But not this. This has too many demands placed on its hearers. It calls us to obey.
REVIEW: HOLY SPIRIT WORKING, WORKING, WORKING
The Arnold Journey 