Lineage Pentecost to Patmos
Paul: Ministry in Athens Episode 8
The city of Athens was a metropolis of the ancient world
and when Paul arrived here he would have seen everywhere
statues of gods and deified heroes of history.
The Greeks were a people who loved poetry,
philosophy, sculpture, architecture,
with the arts and sciences both equally revered.
Paul was alone when he arrived here,
but despite his feelings of loneliness he was not idle,
but actively sought out seekers for truth.
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Paul went, as his custom was, to the synagogue,
but also to the marketplace
where he met certain philosophers of the epicureans and stoics.
It is believed that here in the ancient Roman Agora
Paul would have come and reasoned.
Even though they immediately disregarded Paul's teachings,
he slowly gained their respect as they realized that his knowledge,
intellectual power, logical reasoning skills,
and oratorical skills were superior to theirs.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit
he was able to meet his hearers where they were,
and soon gained an opportunity to speak
in one of the most sacred spots in Athens: Mars Hill.
[music]
Across from the Acropolis here on Mars Hill
was a place where matters connected with religion
could be carefully considered.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the marketplace,
Paul would be able to speak without interruption.
Paul had no doubt caused quite a stir when he came to the city,
and he was now surrounded by poets, artists, philosophers, and scholars
as they wanted to hear what Paul had to say, asking,
'What is this new doctrine, and what does it all mean?
[music]
As Paul prepared to speak, he sought to find some connection with his hearers,
and started out by talking about the altar dedicated to the unknown god.
He said that they ignorantly worship this god,
but then he started to tell them who God is.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, he did not needlessly irritate his listeners
or directly attack their gods,
but tactfully and with skill
he drew their minds away from their gods
to the true God who was unknown to them.
He then shared a truth that was revolutionary at the time,
and something that humanity still struggles with today:
that the same God created the whole human family
and that all men are created equal.
[music]
Paul appealed to them, saying that at times of ignorance God winks,
but when we come to a fuller understanding of things
there is a greater level of accountability
and God asks us to repent.
Paul then pointed toward the judgment
and the assurance that Jesus, who was raised from the dead, gives.
At this point it brought an end
to Paul's speech and his labours here in Athens.
As some laughed and others said they would hear him again later.
Ultimately they rejected what Paul presented,
and though they boasted of a refined culture and being educated,
they turned their backs on what Paul taught.
[music]
His work was not completely in vain,
as the Bible records that one of its most prominent citizens, Dionysius,
along with some others, accepted the message.
Even though Paul's work was not numerically successful,
his labors here provide an example of how to tactfully and with skill
share the message to a learned audience.
Taking the simple gospel message
and sharing it in a learned environment is not easy,
but it's something that must be done.
May we have tact, skill, and patience
as we witness to whomever God calls us to,
whether they're rich or poor, simple or educated.