Bible Study - Unstoppable (6) - Unstoppable Impact - Acts 17:16-18, 22-23, 30-31 - November 20, 2016

Bible Study – Unstoppable (6) – Unstoppable Impact – November 20, 2016

This is lesson six (6) and the final lesson in our series entitled “Unstoppable Gospel.”

Our focus scripture is Acts 17:16-18, 22-23, 30-31.

The gospel of JESUS CHRIST can impact any culture.

In this lesson, we fast forward to the Apostle Paul in Athens. It is interesting how GOD guides HIS servants to where HE desires for them to preach HIS message. Let’s read Acts 17:1-15:

A Short Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Then they traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.

2 As usual, Paul went to them, and on three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

3 explaining and showing that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, and saying: "This is the Messiah, Jesus, whom I am proclaiming to you."

4 Then some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, including a great number of God-fearing Greeks, as well as a number of the leading women.

The term “GOD-fearing” applies to those who have not fully converted to Judaism. They have not been circumcised but they believe in one GOD and accept the moral and ethical teachings of Judaism. 

The Assault on Jason's House

5 But the Jews became jealous, and when they had brought together some scoundrels from the marketplace and formed a mob, they set the city in an uproar. Attacking Jason's house, they searched for them to bring them out to the public assembly.

I thought this was interesting, that thugs were enlisted to form a mob to disrupt. Does that remind you of anything going on in America today? Satan does not want unity but disruption.

6 When they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city officials, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too,

7 and Jason has received them as guests! They are all acting contrary to Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king-Jesus!"

8 The Jews stirred up the crowd and the city officials who heard these things.

9 So taking a security bond from Jason and the others, they released them.

The Beroeans (Bereaian’s) Search the Scriptures

10 As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea (Berea). On arrival, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Notice that Paul and Silas were not intimidated because as soon as they arrived in Berea, they went straight to the synagogue.

11 The people here were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, since they welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

12 Consequently, many of them believed, including a number of the prominent Greek women as well as men.

13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that God's message had been proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and disturbing the crowds.

14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to go to the sea, but Silas and Timothy stayed on there.

The Apostle Paul was the lightening rod.

15 Those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving instructions for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.

The Apostle Paul was escorted to Athens and left there with instructions that Silas and Timothy will join in as quickly as possible. So what did Paul do while he was waiting? He was taking in the culture in Athens and getting an impression of those who either lived or visited Athens.

Athens was known for its literature, art, pagan religion, philosophers and intellectuals. As Paul was taking in all the sites, what impression did he have of Athens? Let’s read on.

Let’s read Acts 17:16-18:

Paul in Athens

16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was troubled within him when he saw that the city was full of idols. 

Paul was troubled in his Spirit because of all the idols. Paul knew they needed to hear about JESUS. Paul was GOD’S man of action. When we are disturbed what do we do? Do we complain or do we do something about it and get involved? What should we do? He concluded that these poor people were seeking truth in all the wrong places and he knew the truth and was compelled to share it.

We, as Christians, know the truth, but are we willing to share it with those who are in Spiritual darkness? This was Paul’s cue to go to work.

17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 

Paul began with those who were seeking truth by going to the local synagogue. 

He met with the Jews and those who worshipped GOD. He then expanded into the marketplace and spoke to those there. Paul “reasoned” with those who were interested in spiritual matters. The use of the word “reasoned” carries the idea of discussion or conversation marked by an exchange of ideas. This implies speaking and listening in order to have a dialogue.

18 Then also, some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers argued with him. Some said, "What is this pseudo-intellectual trying to say?" Others replied, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities"-because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

Paul encountered Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.

The Epicurean philosophers followed the philosophy espoused by the Greek philosopher Epicurus who lived from 341 BC to 270 BC. Epicureans’ believed that the chief aim of life was to pursue happiness, pleasure and tranquility by living in simplicity and in freedom from pain, passion and fear. 

They had given up on the gods of the culture. They were convinced that these gods did not care about humans. They also did not believe in life after death. In essence, eat, drink and be merry because tomorrow you will die. They identified atoms as the basic material in the universe.

The Stoics or Stoicism was founded by Zeno who live from 490 BC to 430 BC. Stoicism was likely the most influential philosophy in the Greco-Roman world. The Stoics were disciplined in their behavior. They believed that GOD was a spirit to be found in all of creation. They believed they could discover truth through human reasoning. Life was governed by fate rather than by faith.

So what did these followers of these philosophies think of Paul? They referred to him as a “pseudo-intellectual” which means “picking up seeds.” It referred to a person who did not have the intellectual base to form his or her own ideas. They would go around and talk to those who were intellectuals, gathering idea seeds; to give the impression he or she knew what they were talking about. Bottom line these people were considered “empty talkers” or “babblers.” They thought Paul was such a person and likely invited him to speak before a group of true intellectuals to embarrass him and shut him up.

Notice the later part of verse 18 “Others replied, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities"-because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.” The intellectuals made some assumptions. They thought Paul was going to lecture on “foreign deities” and to help them determine if they had overlooked a deity. They thought that JESUS, masculine, was one deity and they thought “the resurrection,” which is a feminine noun in Greek, referred to a female deity such as Anastasia. They wanted to hear Paul speak.

GOD is at work using the curiosity of the Athenians to get them to gather to hear HIS message to them through HIS servant Paul.

19 They took him and brought him to the Areopagus, and said, "May we learn about this new teaching you're speaking of? 

The Areopagus (Ar e op a gus) was also known as “Mars Hill.” It was dedicated to Ares, the Greek god of war, who also known as “Mars” in Latin.

20 For what you say sounds strange to us, and we want to know what these ideas mean." 

21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there spent their time on nothing else but telling or hearing something new.

This gathering of “intellectuals” loved to hear new ideas and thoughts. So they were eager to listen to what Paul had to say.

Let’s read Acts 17:22-23:

The Areopagus Address

22 Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. 

Paul stood, as was common for the speaker and began speaking with a left-handed compliment. The term “religious” could mean superstitious in that they wanted to make certain that they did not leave out any deity. The Greek word could be interpreted as “religious,” which would be acceptable to these intellectuals. 

23 For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD 

Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 

In case they had omitted a deity they had an altar to “An unknown GOD.” Paul used this as the basis of his message to them. This must have peaked their interest and cause them to listen very carefully to his message. Paul’s message focused on God as theos, the supreme Divinity. He would bring his audience around to JESUS but in the beginning he needed for his audience to listen. If he had been speaking to a Jewish audience, he would have referred to GOD, as the Jews knew HIM.

When we speak, our audience helps us to set the tone for our message as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

24 The God who made the world and everything in it-He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. 

There was general agreement that God or a higher power existed and HE created the world. But there was little to no definition of that GOD, God or god.

25 Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. 

Paul pointed out that GOD is self-sufficient but we as humans are dependent upon HIM. Paul knew to whom he was referring and his audience had their definition of who they thought he was referring. So they listened. The Holy Spirit was at work in each listener bringing about understanding and establishing a foothold for further seeking of the truth. GOD’S desire is for all to accept JESUS The CHRIST as their Savior.

26 From one man He has made every nation of men to live all over the earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live, 

Paul begins with GOD making man, Adam, without getting into scriptural history.

27 so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. 

GOD made man with a natural desire to seek HIM. GOD is not far from any of us and reachable. Consider this ---

28 For in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' Gk poet. 

Paul reminded his audience that the Greek poets had written regarding the beginning of the human race being an offspring of GOD.

29 Being God's offspring, then, we shouldn't think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image fashioned by human art and imagination. 

Paul used logic to get his audience to open their eyes and hearts to truth. Since humans are GOD’S offspring and GOD is divine shouldn’t we consider that? 

If GOD is divine, then why do we attempt to fashion some image of GOD using material things, art and/or imagination? Paul narrowed the concept of GOD from broad to narrow.

Let’s read Acts 17:30-31:

30 "Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands all people everywhere to repent, 

Paul told them that, the GOD to Whom I am referring has compassion and HE overlooked the ignorance of humans but that had changed. HE demands all people everywhere to repent. Repent is to stop, turn around and go in the direction of seeking HIM in view of this new understanding.

31 because He has set a day on which He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead." 

Paul now gets to the heart of his message. The Man GOD appointed was JESUS. By referring to “the Man” GOD appointed should generate questions, e.g.well who is this Man and tell us more about this Man?

32 When they heard about resurrection of the dead, some began to ridicule him. But others said, "We will hear you about this again." 

Keep in mind that most did not believe in the resurrection. When Paul made the statement regarding the resurrection of this Man (JESUS), some began to ridicule Paul. The noise of the crowd squelched further discussion. People do not want to be considered a fool by others. When things get out of control, it is time to stop.

33 So Paul went out from their presence. 

So Paul retreated. He had delivered the message GOD desired for him to deliver. GOD takes over, where we leave off. GOD’S Spirit strives with all mankind. GOD’S desire is for all to come to a saving knowledge of HIM through faith in HIS only Son, JESUS. But was all lost? Let’s read on.

34 However, some men joined him and believed, among whom were Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

GOD’S Word never returns void. HIS Word is powerful and produces a result. Here we learn that Dionysius (de o nu se os), the Areopagite (a re o pa ge tas). Dionysius was a member of the Areopagus which referred to a council, an assembly of Greek leaders or possibly a formal court. So a person of stature accepted Paul’s gospel message and became a Christian.

There was a second person, a lady named Damaris (da ma res) and others who accepted Paul’s gospel message of JESUS and became Christians.

So what can we learn from Paul’s experience? GOD provides opportunity and gives us HIS message through the indwelling Holy Spirit. When we are in uncharted territory we can begin by seeking common ground. Paul addressed their interest in knowing about some deity they might have overlooked so he zeroed in on a local inscription “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” That statement likely caught their attention.

The key to speaking is for those to whom you speak listen. Paul held their attention until he spoke of the resurrection of the “Man.” Some rejected the idea of resurrection but others did not, thus some accepted JESUS as their Savior. Those who rejected the gospel message at that moment had a base upon which GOD’S Spirit could work within each of those who heard. Only eternity will reveal who accepted JESUS later but for sure, GOD’S Word always works within. It is up to each individual to either accept or reject JESUS as his or her Savior.

HAVE YOU MADE THAT DECISION IN YOUR LIFE? If not, why not now? Eternity is but a heartbeat away. Blessings!!!