Acts 17:16-34
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
Lessons in Sharing the Gospel
Anyone who has visited Athens would probably have seen the stunning Acropolis, crowned with its iconic Parthenon—the ancient temple dedicated to the pagan goddess Athena. Visitors today admire the site for its sheer grandeur and profound cultural and historical significance. It symbolizes the ancient Greek civilization and the origin of Western culture, philosophy, and democracy.
Areopagus Hill rises just a few minutes' walk northwest of the Parthenon, with a large bronze plaque inscribed with the Greek text of Paul’s sermon to the Areopagus in Acts 17. This sermon was Paul’s response to his observation of the Athenians’ religiosity, as recorded in today’s Bible passage.
Acts 17:16-34 teaches us several lessons about how we can share the gospel today.
First, don’t be discouraged by misunderstanding. Paul’s opportunity to speak to the Athenian leaders was the result of a misunderstanding. When he first shared about Jesus and the resurrection, his listeners thought he was talking about some new gods they had not heard of before. When we share the Gospel, we are likely to be misunderstood, but don’t get discouraged or frustrated. Misunderstanding is a response that invites further clarification.
Second, recognize what others are right about before telling them what they’ve got wrong. People don’t tend to listen well when they feel they are being attacked. Paul first acknowledged the Athenians’ religiosity and their recognition that they didn’t know everything about God. Then he proceeded to tell them what they didn’t yet know. We too need to establish some points of contact with others before we can communicate effectively with them.
Third, use contemporary thoughts and modes of communication. Whenever possible, present the message in terms that the listeners can understand. Paul presented an understanding about God that was very similar to the Stoic philosophy popular among his audience, and he quoted Greek poets to make his point. This encourages us to be familiar with what people around us are watching, listening to, and reading.
Fourth, dare to challenge and present alternatives. The gospel is fundamentally different from other worldviews and beliefs. We need to know how they are different and refuse to negotiate on the essentials. In Paul case, he challenged Greek idolatry and the religion of human effort, and proclaimed Jesus as the risen Lord and the coming judge of the whole world. Such ideas were foreign and unpopular among Paul’s listeners, but Paul spoke courageously anyway.
Finally, be prepared for rejection as well as fruit. It’s ultimately not our skill or power of persuasion that brings others to faith. Despite how well Paul shared, only a few believed. We try to remove obstacles for understanding, but there are things about the gospel that people may find objectionable. Yet, some people responded to Paul’s preaching, and some will respond to ours too. In God’s eyes, the few who respond are of such immense value that there will be great joy and celebration in heaven when they turn to God! (Luke 15:10)
Questions for reflection or discussion:
- Correcting Misunderstandings: Have you ever experienced a situation where your message was misunderstood? How did you handle it? What have you found helpful in clarifying your meaning?
- Acknowledging Positives: Think about a time when you needed to give someone constructive feedback. How did acknowledging their strengths first affect the conversation and outcome?
- Contextualizing the Gospel: In what ways can you relate the message of the Gospel to the current thoughts, culture, and media that influence the people around you?
- Speaking the Uncomfortable Truth: Reflect on a moment when you had to present a differing viewpoint or challenge a widely accepted belief. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith or relationships?
- Handling Rejection: How do you respond to rejection or lack of interest when sharing your faith or ideas? What steps can you take to remain encouraged and focused on the value of reaching even a few receptive individuals?
Author’s Bio:
Marcus is the Senior Pastor of Vancouver’s Newbern Alliance Church. He is a former engineer, and he has taught courses on the Bible, ethics, and theology at various seminaries. Marcus enjoys singing, taking walks, and building scale models. He currently resides in Burnaby with his wife Daphne.
https://www.newbern.bc.ca/
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Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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