Proclaiming the Gospel in a Pagan World
Acts 17:14-34
ATHENS GREECE
Acts 17:14-34
A LITTLE BACKGROUND -
The Apostle Paul was born and raised as a devout Jew in Tarsus in Cilicia (a city in modern Turkey). He was also a Roman citizen.
He was vigorously zealous for Judaism and the Torah and was educated under the prominent rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem.
(See Philippians 3:5; Acts 23:6)
The first time we meet Paul in the New Testament Scriptures he was an ardent persecutor of early Christianity. (See Acts 7:58-8:1)
But his life took a significant turn on the Road to Damascus. As he was traveling to continue his assault on Christianity, he had a Divine encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ leading to his dramatic conversion
(See Acts 9:1-19).
The Book of Acts tells us he went on 3 different missionary journeys, totaling 6,900 miles, taking the Gospel to the known world of that day…
(See Acts 13:1-14:28) (Acts 15:36-18:22) (Acts 18:23- 21:17)
OUR TEXT TODAY- Acts 17:15…Paul is in the middle of his second missionary journey where he and a small contingent sailed to Athens, Greece.
As Paul made his way into the city the Bible says that he became very upset and angry at what he witnessed! (vs.16)
Let’s ask 5 questions of the text so we can understand what’s transpiring…
1. Paul was PROVOKED when he arrived in Athens (vs.16b)
2. He PREACHED in three different places (vs. 17, 19a) (3 places)
(1) In the
(2) In the
(3) At the
3. He PREACHED to 5 different groups (17-18)
- To the
- To the
- To the
- To the skilled and trained
- To the
4. His MESSAGE was built in 3 sections: (vs. 22-34)
Notice 3 things:
(1) He began on
Look secondly at…
(2) The
Then Paul moves into the invitation. Note…
(3) The
5. His message solicited 3 different RESPONSES:
Some
Some sought to
Some