Most Jews in the synagogues Paul and his companions visited nodoubt upheld the popular belief that the Messiah would be a militaryliberator. So when the Messiah that Paul preached to them did notmatch their long-held views, they rejected Him. - P27
While we may notreject the gospel itself, we can be slow to let our old thought patternsbe transformed by it. Our culture, upbringing, or personality hasaccustomed us to many erroneous ideas which we are often reluctantto letgo of. - P26
But God‘s Word transcends our deepest convictions. Letus payclose attention as we read and study Scripture. Let us ask theSpirit to bring to our notice patterns of thought or behavior that runcontrary to His Word, and embrace what God wants to teach us. - P27
Heavenly Father, I praise You for the Scriptures in which You have revealedYour plan of salvation for the world. I confess that I have rebelled many timesagainst what You have commanded. I ask that you would increase my delightin Your Word. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P27
30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but nowhe commands all people everywhere to repent. - P31
31 For he has set a day when he will judge the worldwith justice by the man he has appointed. He has givenproof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead." - P31
32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead,
some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hearyou again on this subject." - P31
33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the peoplebecame followers of Paul and believed. Among themwas Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also awoman named Damaris, and a number of others.
d hocame - P31
In Athens, Paul is distressed to see so many idols. He talks to both Jews andGreeks about Jesus and the resurrection. - P29
He is invited to speak more on this atthe Areopagus. He appeals to their religious nature and makes known to themwho their "unknown god" is. - P29
Paul talks about God‘s creation and sovereigntyand calls the people to repentance. Some believe; others do not. - P29
While Paul waits for Silas and Timothy to arrive in Athens, he preach-es in a synagogue again and debates in the marketplace with variousphilosophers. - P32
The Epicureans see religion as irrelevant and pursue per-sonal happiness while the Stoics see God as a cosmic force and pursueself-control and moral excellence. - P32
To these philosophers, Paul preachessomething completely new and unique: a personal God who loves Hiscreation and took on human form to save them. - P32
Unlike much of Greekphilosophy, Paul‘s message is not man-centered but God-centered. - P32
Weare reminded how, amid the plurality of worldviews and religions thatsurround us, we as believers are to pursue Christ and His kingdom asour highest goal. - P32
When preaching to Jews, Paul would refer to Jewish history and writ-ings, but now as he speaks to a Greek audience, he uses philosophy andrefers to some famous Greek thinkers to make his case. - P32
The heart of hismessage does not change, however. He still preaches the resurrection ofJesus Christ and calls people to repentance. - P32
Learning from Paul, it iswise to adjust how we share the gospel based on who is listening, butwe must always maintain the essence of what we have to share: Jesus isthe Son of God who died on the cross and was raised from the dead.
- P32
His resurrection is the assurance of our salvation, and one day He willreturn to judge the world. Therefore, we must repent of our sins andturn to Him. - P32
Heavenly Father, I praise You as the one, true God. Help me to center my life onYou rather than myself. - P33
Thank you for the beautiful gospel, and I ask for cour-age to share that gospel with those who need to hear it. In Jesus‘ name, amen. - P33
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