Verse 1. "Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia,
they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews."
Paul was on another journey, one of many "in danger from rivers, from
robbers," etc., as related in 2 Corinthians 11:26 & context. He made
brief stops in two places but was aimed for Thessalonica. Amphipolis
(founded by Athens in the 5th century BC) was on a bend of
the river Strymon, and was the capital of one of the four Roman
districts of Macedonia. Apollonia was on the way to Thessalonica, as
they traveled to the east.
Thessalonica was to contain a thriving Christian community, a place
to which Paul would later write letters of encouragement to those yet to
be "born" into our Lord. Of immediate interest to Paul was the local
synagogue of the Jews. How interesting that this utterly Jewish man who
was so drawn to his own people, would be the "apostle to the Gentiles."
He would visit the synagogues initially, and God led that, but his real
function was to put himself aside and go to the Gentiles, for that was
God's call for his life.
Verse 2. "And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for
three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,"
"According to Paul’s custom…" I wonder if this was "Paul’s" custom,
or that of the Holy Spirit in him. Where does the person end and the
Spirit begin? It’s easy to see that we are just people, and if we’re
honest – merely human. But into this earthen vessel came Jesus, who is
altogether Holy. Paul, missionary to the Gentiles, was speaking to the
Jews at this moment, according to his custom, for three Sabbaths
(Friday evening to Saturday evening on three consecutive weeks).
I don’t think it fully matters whether it was truly "Paul’s" custom
or not, for God selected (and created) this man. Each of us is
rough-hewn inside, prone to wander into all sorts of directions. Paul
and Moses, Elijah and John – it’s so INTERESTING in Scripture when we
see that God uses ORDINARY people. This is the message the Lord brings
to us: He will use us, plain people, for His glory, just the way we are.
Every one.
Verse 3. "explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to
suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I am
proclaiming to you is the Christ.'’"
This is extremely important – Christ HAD to suffer and rise again
from the dead. It was no accident or mistake. The central reason for
Christ’s arrival here on earth is that we NEED a Redeemer Who would die
in our place. There are no good works that we are capable of, by which
we might become "right" with God. God is holy, but He did not simply
wipe out and start over, because He loves you and me. Paul gave them
evidence of their need for a Redeemer, and showed them that our Redeemer
has come – Jesus, the Christ of God.
Jesus Christ became Son of man, that He might die for our sins. He
blotted out our sins by His blood which fell on that day. He suffered
that we might not suffer. He died and rose from the dead, that we might
rise with Him. Notice Paul was "giving evidence" (his personal testimony
and proof from the Scriptures) for these things, not merely stating
them. We are "judges" of these things and may accept or reject Him, but
we reasonably should receive Him, for this Jesus "IS the Christ."
Verse 4 "And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas,
along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the
leading women."
And "some" of them were persuaded. It’s fascinating that people can
be touched by God and respond so differently. He REVEALS the truth of
Himself to your heart, through the Holy Spirit, as He patiently
"touches" us all. To some He gives a "caress", a soft word, but others
must be hit with a "club" for we do not easily find faith. His
encounters with us are always initially gentle. As to our responses, to
the one He is a "fragrance of Christ to God" (2 Corinthians 2:15) and to
another "an aroma of death to death" (2 Corinthians 2:16).
We must learn to be open to God and become willing to learn of Him,
letting Him make us what He will. We won’t all, by any means, become
evangelists, like Silas and Paul; but we should simply be ourselves, as
enabled by the glory of the risen Christ. If in our lives we incur
discipline (Hebrews 12:5-7), it is only because He loves us and longs
that the image of God should be revealed in us.
Verse 5. "But the Jews, becoming jealous and taking along some wicked
men from the market place, formed a mob and set the city in an uproar;
and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to
the people."
Christ is our Remedy, our Restorer, our Healer and our Peace. He
fundamentally changes us inside, and this change will begin to be seen
by others. People will be jealous of the great Gift we have been given.
Forming a mob out of jealousy because Paul told them of the Christ (who
is our Healer) is exactly as crazy as storming a doctor’s office in
outraged anger because he believes in the wonder of penicillin.
A sane man does not attack the messenger who comes to tell him the
good news that he is now free. Notice they took along "wicked men from
the market place". They did not have any good intent but merely wanted
to shut up and harm anyone who did not agree with their views. Not
finding Paul, they attacked the house of Jason, a man who had given
shelter to Paul and others that were with him.
Verse 6. "When they did not find them, they began dragging Jason and
some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, ‘These men who have
upset the world have come here also,’"
All too often angry people take out their anger on the innocent. For
example, the person who is not doing well at work will yell at their
spouse or children. The mob did not find Paul in Jason’s house, so they
began dragging Jason (and some others) away to the city authorities. The
Greek used here for "city authorities" was used for non-Roman
magistrates (Greeks) who had the function of keeping peace and order in
the city.
This happened to be an incident stirred up by local Jews (verse 5).
Just as Jesus, who was innocent, was accused of being their "King"
(which was the truth), these men were accused of being "upsetters of the
world" – which in a way, we are. Jesus said "I did not come to bring
peace but a sword" (Matthew 10:34 & forward). We shouldn’t go around
causing trouble, but we should not be surprised to find that others do
not like the fact that we belong to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Verse 7. "and Jason has welcomed them, and they all act contrary to
the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus."
They couldn’t find Paul at this moment, and so the Jews (verse 5) and
the mob that was with them, dragged Jason (who had sheltered Paul)
before the city leaders, intending to do whatever harm they could. This
was very dangerous, for mobs often get out of control and begin to kill
people. The Jews who had initiated these events (see verse 5) could have
cared less at the moment about the decrees of Caesar, but it was a way
to accuse these men, and they would use whatever weapon they had.
Thessalonica was a Greek city under Rome, but governed by Greeks, and
they had their own laws, different from those of Rome. The last thing
they wanted was to anger Rome in any way, for Roman legions could march
in at any time and upset – everything! The accusation was not only
political (insurrection) but also religious (blasphemy) because of the
current law which made Caesar the "god" of that land. Jesus really is
our King, and the enemy will use the truth against us (or lies – he does
not care), whenever possible.
Verse 8. "They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who
heard these things."
Emotions had completely taken them over at this time. The mob smelled
blood and was of a mind to kill someone, anyone, if they could. The
authorities (magistrates – verse 6) were supposed to keep order, but
fears and passions were aroused – anything could happen! We should think
about what we do and what we say. Particularly, we should be concerned
about WHY we say such things.
Here was an out of control mob, drummed up by people who happened to
be Jews, (verse 5) who were simply motivated by jealousy. The person who
has something (good looks, money, health, position, or whatever) will
always incite jealousy (inadvertently or otherwise) in other people. In
and through Christ, we literally are the sons and heirs of Abraham
(Galatians 3:29), which kindles envy in others. They would harm Paul
(and Jason) if they could, because they wanted what those men had.
Verse 9. "And when they had received a pledge from Jason and the
others, they released them."
Jason and the other brethren posted bail (a pledge that they would
appear before the court at a later date) and were released (for now).
Notice that Jason was innocent of any wrongdoing – all he did was take
Paul and some others into his house, and he believed in Christ. Paul was
innocent – He was a Roman and was proud of it! Jesus Christ had been
innocent before His accusers – the mob that shouted for His death really
should have been outraged by their own sins (and by yours and mine), for
Jesus was innocent of any wrong doing.
You and I are guilty and yet the Lord was put to death in our place
for our sins. He became the pledge by which you and I can be set free.
He is the one of Great Value, that is taken as a "pledge" by which we
are released, as it were, on bail. He was taken, convicted, and killed,
and because of what He has done, you and I can be set free, the judgment
against us set aside, and we are given LIFE in Him. Just as Jason was
set free, you and I can be free in Jesus Christ. We should be THANKFUL
for what our Lord has done.
Verse 10. "The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night
to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the
Jews."
We must learn from the people of the early Church. For the most part,
they not only looked to the written Word of God and followed the Spirit
of God, but they also gave PRACTICAL responses to the events of the
time. This time they did not spend a lengthy time in prayer, though they
assuredly did seek the Lord. But days were not spent in consultation
with the Scriptures about their decision – No, Paul's and Silas’ LIVES
were in danger, so they were immediately SENT to another place.
It was simply TIME for them to go. If Paul had even the HINT that God
wanted them to stay, he would have stayed, for he was that kind of man.
It was simply time – Paul’s presence put everyone else in jeopardy and
it was surely with the Good Pleasure of the Holy Spirit that they left.
We should pray, read His Word, follow the Spirit, and sometimes we need
to simply ACT. Berea, by the way, was inland from Thessalonica, and note
they continued the custom of speaking in the local synagogue first,
before going to the Gentiles.
Verse 11. "Now these were more noble-minded than those in
Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining
the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."
Note the kind of people who are the "noble-minded" of this verse.
More than once I have heard people define "faith" as "blindly accepting
something you read or hear." Sometimes faith is thought to be "an
unintelligent acceptance of things beyond our comprehension." These
views are simply not true. The Bible is a historical record, a series of
them, actually, containing simple records of what happened to people, in
a variety of circumstances. Many people have received God by examining
the Bible; others have not.
The responses varied – God is the same ("Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today and forever" – Hebrews 13:8 – but people are as
changeable as the wind and the rain). Some honor the written Word;
others don’t. These Bereans did what we should do: They examined the
Scriptures daily, to see if Paul’s words were true. Note they were
commended as "noble-minded" by the authors of Acts (Luke and the Holy
Spirit) for doing that. We should do the same as they did and openly
examine the Scriptures.
Verse 12. "Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of
prominent Greek women and men."
If we honestly, openly and prayerfully examine the Word of God (verse
11), faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is headed our way. "Faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ" (or "God" – Romans 10:17).
The result of openly studying the Word of God, was that MANY believed.
The "many" in these verses were Jews (verse 10 and forward). The
"prominent Greek women and men" were likely "God-Fearers" – Gentiles who
had previously converted to Judaism.
There have been a number of people in history who have set about to
write books refuting Scripture, and in so doing, have come to BELIEVE in
the Lord. Researching the Bible will do that. A recent convert who did
exactly that, was the brilliant C. S. Lewis, the Oxford Don and author.
The Word of God, the Bible, will change lives. It brought me to Christ.
Just read it. Don’t change anything about it – let IT change YOU.
Verse 13. "But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word
of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as
well, agitating and stirring up the crowds."
The "fruits of the flesh" as seen in Galatians 5:19-21, include such
attitudes and actions as "enmities, strife, jealousy, angry outbursts,
disputes, dissension’s", and so on. The Jews of Thessalonica left their
jobs, their families, income, synagogue – they left ALL, just because of
bitter feelings toward Paul the apostle. Note that these men were
operating in the name of religion. If we feel and act like they did, our
noble-appearing efforts probably just show how wrong-headed we can be.
Our "flesh", disguised by the trappings of religion, can actually
cause true religion (that which is from the Spirit of God) to be taken
away (as in verse 14). I’ve been fascinated for decades, by how easy it
is for people to "shoot" one another in the name of religion. This has
been clearly seen in Ireland, in Israel, and a few days ago in New York
and Washington, DC, where people literally have blown up one another in
the name of God. Such actions VERY strongly suggest that they have NO
relationship with God at all, no matter HOW they may justify what they
are doing on religious grounds.
Verse 14. "Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far
as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there."
What the people of Thessalonica and Berea really NEEDED was the
presence of Paul, Silas and Timothy. These were men full of the Holy
Spirit of God – such people can change others for the better by bringing
us to honest RELATIONSHIP with the Lord Jesus Christ. The "Jews of
Thessalonica" and the "crowds" of verse 13, were chasing away the very
men who could help them. We unfortunately often do the same.
But God always has another way to reach us, and so Silas and Timothy,
who were less well known by the "Jews" and the "crowds" (verse 13), were
able to remain and teach the new Jewish and Gentile Christians of Berea.
God is going to reach your need. He has surrounded you with the Holy
Spirit, the written Word of God (the Bible), Christians who are shown
your need, and His holy angels who are directed to help you. He has many
resources and He has devoted them all to you.
Verse 15. "Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens;
and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as
possible, they left."
Paul was being escorted away from Berea, because his life had been in
danger. He left word with the Berean Christians who were with him, to go
back and tell both Silas and Timothy to "come to him as soon as
possible." Paul needed people, just like the rest of us. With that
command, the Berean Christians (some of whom were Gentiles but most were
Jews), left him and returned to Berea. Athens, by the way, was about 200
miles south of Berea, which meant that considerable TIME occurred
between verses 14 and 15.
It’s wonderful, by the way, that we at last are given the potential
for true companionship in Christ Jesus. Not only with Him, but also with
those other Christians He has placed into our lives. For most of us,
it’s probably the first time in our lives we have truly "connected" with
other human beings. I know it has been so for me – previously it was
only acquaintances and now it’s much more. God not only gives us
Himself, in Christ Jesus, but He also gives us one another.
Verse 16. "Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit
was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of
idols."
Paul’s spirit was PROVOKED within him, as he saw the rampant idolatry
in Athens. I wonder why WE are not similarly provoked, as we see the
idolatry in our land? We are taught all through Psalms to hate evil
(Psalm 97:10 is an example); yet we are absorbed in TV sets, computers,
cars, movies and video games. It’s not that such things are inherently
evil, for they can be used for good as well as bad. It’s that we give
them our attention and our time, when we should first look to our God
and the things of God.
We tend to idolize people (movie stars and football players are
examples) and give lip service to God. We often love our country but
tolerate God, who allows our country to exist. Paul was in Athens,
waiting for Silas and Timothy to come to him from Berea (see verse 15),
and I can SEE in my mind, this little man of God, pacing back-and-forth,
as he considered the idolatry that was all around him.
Verse 17. "So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the
God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who
happened to be present."
Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy (see verse 15) but he was
never one to wait quietly. Here he was, right back in the local
synagogue, debating with the Jews and "God-fearing Gentiles" (converts
to Judaism). And he was in the agora, the market place, debating with
anybody who happened to be there. His recent experiences would tend to
deter most men. Paul, on the other hand, looked at or regarded
his experiences (2nd Corinthians 11:22 & forward) but
FOLLOWED the Holy Spirit of God.
God made him just the way he was. He was GIVEN the Holy Spirit of
God, and he would follow Him, right into the jaws of death. Many of us
would say, "Well, I won’t do THAT again" when things seem to go wrong –
especially when we are run out of town, as had just happened to Paul in
Berea (verses 13 and forward). Paul was now in Athens, where God wanted
him to be; and he was debating with everyone he met, which was what God
wanted him to do.
Verse 18. "And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were
conversing with him. Some were saying, ‘What would this idle babbler
wish to say?’ Others, ‘He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities,
''because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.’"
The "philosopher" is usually one who thinks they have reached a place
of enlightenment or wisdom, where they not only feel they have solved
their own problems, but they can solve the problems of others, as well.
The "Epicureans" taught that the chief purpose of man is to achieve
happiness. The "Stoics" were unmoved by pleasure or pain. Note the
attitude toward anyone with a different viewpoint: "What would this idle
babbler wish to say?" There was a time, decades ago, when I thought I
had an excellent philosophy of life.
Much like the Athenians, I took from ideas around me and incorporated
them into what I thought was a good philosophy. But then life intervened
and how quickly it all came tumbling down, because mere ideas will not
SUSTAIN us within the troubles of life. Notice they did not LISTEN to
Paul – They heard him in a superficial way, deciding that "Jesus" was
one kind of "god" and "resurrection" was another. When we think we have
all the answers, as the Athenians did, our pride will block us from
effectively hearing the truth.
Verse 19. "And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus,
saying, ‘May we know what this new teaching is which you are
proclaiming?’"
The Areopagus was both a hill in Athens, named for the "god" of war,
"Ares" or "Mars," and also was the name of the council which met on that
hill. It was essentially a court; one which originally had been charged
with questioning the morals and rights of teachers who lectured in
public. When they took Paul to this place, they thought they were
serving the public good. Someone was ALWAYS dragging Paul to someplace
or another; feeling good about themselves when they did it.
Verse 20. "For you are bringing some strange things to our ears; so
we want to know what these things mean."
Curiosity was like a drug to these men of the Areopagus (see verse
19), as it is for many others, leading people into all sorts of places
and difficulties. Yet our curiosity is also a wonderful tool in the hand
of God, for the benefit of humanity. I often remember that one of the
co-discoverers of anesthesia, got his idea from Genesis, where God "put
Adam into a deep sleep" (Genesis 2:21) before operating on him and
producing Eve from his side. The inventor was curious – if an anesthetic
worked with Adam, would it work with others also?
God really wants to "operate" on our "hearts" and produce Christ in
us. These men of Athens merely wanted to hear something new - something
that would lessen their boredom. They were much like the purchasers of
the latest tabloid newspaper, not really intending to believe the
content of the message at all, but just wanting to hear SOMETHING
different. God will use our curiosity, however, and many of the merely
"curious" have come to belief in Christ.
Verse 21. "(Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there
used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing
something new.)"
These Athenians and the "strangers" who traveled to visit with them,
sound very much like modern Americans. There is so little of SUBSTANCE
in what we typically share with one another. Much of our communications
seem to involve GOSSIP about some movie star, politician or ballplayer.
It is not some philosophy or "new" idea that we thirst for – that which
is REAL is what we need.
The Athenians were a very logical group. You can say they INVENTED
our formalized system of thinking logically. The problem is that logic
can be (and often is) built upon a false premise. The framework of the
"building" may be beautiful and well thought out, but without a true
foundation (Jesus explores this in Luke 6:48-49), the whole logical
system will collapse, when life brings us one of its many "storms".
Verse 22. "So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, ‘Men
of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.’"
(For "Areopagus" see verse 19). I continue to be very impressed with
the CHOICES of God. This was Paul, the man God chose, not only for that
time, but for all subsequent history until the return of Jesus Christ to
this world. He was the man who had been instrumental in the death of
Stephen (Acts 8:1), and he dragged others away, men and women alike,
tossing them into prison for their belief in Jesus (Acts 8:3). But now
he stands in Athens, speaking for the very Christ he had attacked, not
that long ago. Our Lord changes people.
This verse is an excellent example of the spiritual "gift" called
"word of wisdom". An example of that gift was recently expressed in a
"Daily Bread" issue, where they spoke of writer Charles Trumbull. A
profane drunk sat next to him on a train, and offered him a drink from a
flask. Instead of condemning him, Trumbull replied, "No thank you, but I
can see you are a very generous man." The "drunk’s" eyes lit up, they
talked, and the man subsequently gave his life to Christ. Like with Paul
("I see you are very religious"), God gives us soft answers that can
accomplish much.
Verse 23. "For while I was passing through and examining the objects
of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘To an
unknown God.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim
to you."
Paul continues speaking to the "Areopagus" (verse 19) with the "word
of wisdom" given him by the Lord (see verse 22). As to this "altar", by
the way, a man named Pausanias (160 AD), wrote a ten-book "Description
of Greece" which mentioned "altars" (plural) "to an unknown god" in
Athens. Apparently there were several of them, of which Paul mentions
one. Altars to "gods" were everywhere for the Athenians, and Paul
mentioned one as a means of introducing Christ to an idolatrous people.
America historically has purported to be a "Christian" nation, and
yet, at the same time, we have celebrated Halloween, knocked on wood,
avoided the number "13", read our horoscopes, said "God bless you" when
someone sneezed, and avoided walking under ladders. The list could be
much longer and we are very much like the Athenians. This is actually a
very superstitious nation (probably all nations are), and perhaps
Americans are "religious" as a people, but not "Christian" – not
at all.
Verse 24. "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He
is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;"
God does not dwell in my church building or yours. Neither do we
serve Him effectively by our busy religious activities. Actually, it is
the other way around, for He tolerates your actions (and mine), when in
fact He really wants your HEART. He created us, as a human race and as
individuals. Some "philosophers" and "theologians" have felt we have
somehow "created God", when in fact, it is the other way around. We are
sustained by Him. Indeed, it is in CHRIST that the very atoms of our
bodies are held together, and it is because of Him that we do not fall
apart this minute (Colossians 1:17).
God does not need our temples (buildings); our programs, diligent
study, our outward dignity, our knowledge, or even our ardent prayer
(though He loves it when we pray). Even our love is patently imperfect,
for we often "love" because we want something from the other person. Our
bodies are "temples" built for occupancy by the Holy Spirit of God (1
Corinthians 6:19), but He does not truly "need" such things. Yet, the
incredible fact about Him, is that His LOVE for you and for me is TOTAL
and everlasting (John 3:16).
Verse 25. "nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed
anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all
things;"
"Served" in the Greek, is "waited upon," as a person is waited upon
by a servant who ministers to his needs. God has no "needs" as we
understand them. What could we possibly give to the God who has no need
of – anything! It is not us who "give" to Him, but instead the other way
around – It is God who gives to you and to me. Your income, your food,
your relationships with people, health, and everything else – all is
GIVEN by God. How can we give to Him?
The answer is – we can’t give Him anything! And yet, there is
a way. There is a "work" that can be done. In John Chapter 6, the
"multitude" and the "disciples" had been looking for Jesus, not out of a
hunger for God, but for the food He might give them (John 6:26). He told
them of a greater "food" (verse 27), and they asked what "works" they
could do? (Verse 28). "Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the
work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’" How can you
serve God the Father? BELIEVE in and receive the Son of God! You want to
please God? Believe in His Son.
Verse 26. "and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live
on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times
and the boundaries of their habitation,"
Wherever we are: Africa, China, Europe, we are one. To be against one
another, as so many are, is to demonstrate there is sin in us and that
we need Jesus Christ. We are one human race, whether northern or
southern Irish, Bosnian or Serb, "black" or "white" – one people, the
human race. The apparent separateness of our groupings is only like a
mask we wear for a time. And then the mask will be gone.
There is a time appointed by God for us all. Like waters in a basin,
we rush to His limits, and then we ebb, and are gone. It is important
that we realize early - true religion is not in buildings such as
temples; it’s based in the human heart and we need Christ in order to
love one another (Matthew 22:37-39). The homeless man pushing the
shopping cart is our brother. The lady convicted of a crime is our
sister. Yes we do become part of a new family in Christ Jesus, but He
died to save the old family of Adam, and it’s our job to help those of
the old family come into the new.
Verse 27. "that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for
Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;"
The purpose of our lives is that we will "grope" or fumble for God in
this blind world, and in seeking Him, find Him and be "saved". God is
not far from us. Indeed, He is next to our "hearts", our inner being,
and He is accessible to all. Athens, where Paul was speaking at this
moment, was full of ornate temples and complex religions. We tend to
make things difficult, but what God wants is simple: Just turn to Him,
look to Christ and be saved.
The Greek word for "grope" is to "feel, touch, or handle", and is
also used in Luke 24:39, where the resurrected Christ said to His
disciples, "Touch Me" and see that I am real. "To see" in Scripture
often carries the meaning "to understand." It is important that we "see"
God, which is actually impossible, because we are sinners, but He
does not leave us alone in this. The Holy Spirit of God is so close, so
near, and though we are blind, yet we shall SEE – in Him.
Verse 28. "for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of
your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’"
Paul has been speaking since verse 18, where he had denied that he
was introducing "strange deities" (new and previously unknown "gods")
which his listeners thought were named "Jesus" and "Resurrection." Paul
has gently responded to them, even though they referred to him as an
"idle babbler" (as reflected in verse 18). Paul now quotes the Greek
poet Aratus, from the 3rd century BC. Paul was a
well-educated freeborn Roman citizen, and as such, he would have been
quite familiar with Greek culture (which was taught to Roman children).
Paul reaches into and uses their own literature, their culture, and
draws analogies familiar to his listeners. Should we quit reading
secular books, stop going to movies, and not listen to music that is not
Christian? Perhaps for some it is best to not encounter the secular at
all (they might "stumble" in their walk with the Lord). But for another,
the movie, book or music may be the key to a 3rd man’s heart.
It is good to listen to the Holy Spirit of God and follow Him in what we
do.
By the way, how can we pride ourselves in "our" accomplishments, for
it is in Him that we live and move and have our being ("exist"). We are
His "children" (His creation), and as such, we owe Him – everything!
Verse 29. "Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that
the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by
the art and thought of man."
We are His "children", which means we were created by Him. It is not
the other way around. Some teach we somehow "create" Him, by our
thoughts, will, and desires. Life and everything else is created by the
Giver of life, and Him alone. Since He is our Creator, it is improper to
limit the One who did the creating. Paul the Apostle was speaking to men
who ostensibly worshipped statues to the "god of thunder" or whatever.
It is absurd to think that the "Divine Nature" (God) could be the work
of our hands.
And yet people often act in such a manner. A number of "pop
religions" have taught that a human being should properly say "I am
God!" Such a statement would be funny, if it were not so sad. Isaiah
says it like this: "It (wood) becomes something for a man to burn, so he
takes (wood) and warms himself; he also makes a fire to bake bread. He
also makes a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls
down before it" (Isaiah 44:15). False religion closely examined, is
often just that ridiculous.
Verse 30. "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is
now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,"
Two important concepts are presented here. 1) God has "overlooked"
our times of ignorance. To NOT believe in Christ reveals our ignorance,
no matter how "intelligent" we may seem to be. How could God overlook
Paul’s sins? For Paul had been a murderer. How could He forgive you and
me? God has "overlooked" our ignorance by sending Christ Jesus, Who died
for Paul’s sins, your sins, and mine. God valued you, to the extent that
He sent His Son to die in your place. To receive Him is to accept the
greatest Offer of all time.
2) We must repent, which is a change of our hearts, minds, and ways.
The key to life is honest repentance for our sins and that’s where we
all have a common need. Paul repented and he was forgiven. God is Holy;
set apart from all that is base and sinful, and we have no innate
holiness at all. Our only hope is to take into ourselves the Person of
Jesus Christ, Who died for you and me. To encounter Him is to understand
that we are sinners. To receive Him is to be saved from all sin.
Verse 31. "because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the
world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having
furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.'"
God will "judge the world in righteousness." There is going to be a
day, which will start like any other day, but on that day, Christ will
return to judge the world. There is very little righteousness in this
world. I spent many years in the Court system, working with judges,
attorneys, and other officers of the Court. There is precious little
"righteousness" in our human systems. Yet God has fixed a certain day
when He who is righteous, will come to us with true righteousness.
This will be done through the One who came to us and died for all,
the "Man" Jesus Christ. We will have no argument on that day, because
the evidence for the Prosecution in this case is clear. Jesus died for
our sins and He openly is risen from the dead, just as He said.
Therefore, repentance (verse 30) is necessary and reasonable, for all
the proof we need is before us in Christ Jesus. To honestly look to Him
is to KNOW He is true – we will have no defense (except His Name) on the
day of judgment that is to come.
Verse 32. "Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some
began to sneer, but others said, ‘We shall hear you again concerning
this.'’"
We tend to not believe what we have not seen. Yet God continually
reveals Himself in a variety of ways. Paul was an eyewitness of the
resurrected Christ and he spoke with the conviction that truth will
bring; yet they did not believe. It was not just the words either,
whether of a man or the written Word of God. The Holy Spirit of God was
prompting them internally, just like He is you and me. To "sneer" at the
things of the Lord, by the way, is to place yourself in great danger.
I was once of those who scoffed at our Lord. Fortunately (by His
grace), God continued to allow life to press me in, eventually driving
me to Him. Also, I was one who "shall hear you again concerning this." I
was in no hurry and it did not occur to me at the time that I might have
no more time. So often, something done casually (or not done) is the
last time we ever have that opportunity. In my case, God was very
patient and gave lots of chances. When I was finally ready, He was still
there for me. Don’t wait, though. Turn to Him now. This may be the last
day for you or for me.
Verse 33. "So Paul went out of their midst."
"So Paul went out of their midst." I am drawn again that we as people
tend so strongly to drive the gentle Holy Spirit (and His people) right
out of our lives. Our cleverness, our philosophical concepts, our ideas
– we want the center stage. And so Paul went. They had indicated they
would hear him again (verse 32). But he did not reply – he merely left.
The Holy Spirit knew their hearts and led him (Paul) away from them.
God sends many people into our lives that tell us the truth about the
Lord. So often, people "sneer" (as in verse 32), and others wait, not
committing themselves one way or the other. But to wait is to make a
decision, and if you go to eternity during the time you "wait", you
won’t get another chance. Don’t miss the opportunity. When He is
legitimately in your "midst", through the one He has sent – listen and
respond, not to the man, but to the God Who sent him. Your life and your
future is literally at stake.
Verse 34. "But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were
Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
But some of the Athenians did believe, and Dr. Luke, the writer of
these words, names a couple of them. There are always those who come to
the Lord, even in the most difficult places. This "Aeropagus" (verse 19
and context) was a setting where the "intellect" was valued above all
else, and in such a place (where people think highly of themselves), it
is the worst "soil" for the good Word of God. There are usually those
who do turn to the Lord. Intelligent people, inquisitive people,
educated people – all can come, simply on the basis of faith in Him. It
is harder for the "intelligentsia" of this world to act in faith, but
all things are possible with God.
Dionysius the Areopagite, was mentioned by Eusebius (Eccl. His. iii.
iv,), within a discourse about a later person of the same name, who
became the first Bishop of Athens. It seems that nowhere Paul went, did
he win so few souls as he did at Athens. And yet, God’s Word did not
return to Him wholly void. The seed fell on some good ground, and
brought forth fruit unto eternal life.
Ron
Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org
